Prometric Patent Bar
Please post any comments, questions or concerns related to taking the Patent Bar exam at the Prometric testing center below.
Beginning on July 26, 2004, the Patent Bar Exam moved to a computer-based format. The Patent Office has offers yearly written administration of the examination in Washington, DC, normally during the month of July. Written, paper exams will be administered only once per year, the test will be conducted at the Patent Office and the cost for such examination is higher than the cost to sit for the computerized examination.
The computerized Patent Bar Exam (administered by Prometric) is available to take at any point throughout the year. The exam consists of a morning and an afternoon session. Each session lasts 3 hours and is composed of 50 multiple choice questions. There is a 1 hour lunch break between the morning and afternoon session.
Although you will have 100 questions to answer, only 90 of the questions will be scored. You will need to answer 63 questions or more correct in order to pass (70% of the 90 questions).
Outside materials are not allowed. The testing facility provides an online, searchable version of the MPEP. Starting October 19, 2006, the exam is based on the 8th Edition, Revision 4. The facility also supplies paper and a pencil – all papers will be collected before you may leave the examination.
Once you have submitted your admission form and have been accepted to take the Patent Bar Exam, you are given a 90-day window. You must schedule and take your exam with the testing center during this window period. Weekend test dates fill up quickly, so you should schedule a test date as soon as you receive your confirmation if there is a specific day that you want to take the test. Also, you can change your scheduled test date without penalty subject to availability at the testing center and keeping in mind that the new date must fall within the original 90-day window.
The cost of the exam is expected to be as follows; a nonrefundable application fee of $40, a registration examination fee of $200, and a service fee of $150 to the administration facility.
After taking the exam, you should learn of your results immediately. You will then be mailed an official score report that will let you know whether you passed or failed.
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A note on searching with the MPEP while taking the Prometric exam: my suggestion is to not enlarge the MPEP to the full screen size. This way you can move that window around in order to view the answer choices while you search.
what version of adobe acrobat is used?
While not exactly the same, Adobe Reader 5.0 most closely mimics the search functions, etc. on the exam.
Is Adobe 5.0 still the best match for the exam software? (I’ve checked the Adobe website, and the 5.0 download doesn’t seem to be available).
bump
Of course, know the 2002 and 2003 exams inside out. You will also want to have a good understanding of the MPEP and the content in each section. It seems as though some of the new questions on the Prometric Patent Bar Exam are extremely specific (in other words, you will have to look thme up). While you can search the whole MPEP, searching by section will cause fewer headaches.
I agree – Recently, there is a huge shift in emphasis to more detailed questions and questions related to the Patent Cooperation Treaty, Appeals, etc. The online MPEP you get during the exam is about 3000 pages long so there is no way to memorize it. You just need to know the major sections and where to look things up. A strong understanding of title 35 of the USC is critical, and so is a knowledge of the list of “rules” which is quite manageable. The MPEP itself is a beast and is impossible to memorize.
Can anyone explain the search capabilities of the MPEP document. Can you use the “search” functionality (which returns a list of all results), or are you limited to the single search field that just progresses through the document and stops at each match? Taking the exam in two weeks, and wanted to know if I needed to change my testing strategy. Thanks.
Matt – I think your results are returned one at a time and you have to scroll through all of the highlighted text. The functionality most closely resembles Adobe Reader v 5.0.
To my undersatnding, there are 10 (ten) questions (beta questions) among the 100 test questions and these 10 questions are NOT graded. If the tester answered correctly these 10 questions, he/she will not get the credit ( not counted) because they are not graded. (no credit) In oder to pass, does the tester need to answer additional 63 questions correctly. It means that the tester needs 73 correct answers( 10 plus 63) in order to pass????
Don’t worry about the functionality of the electronic MPEP provided on the exam. A well-trained chimp could operate it successfully. You are even given a tutorial before beginning the exam to familiarize you with the functions of the exam and the MPEP.
does anyone know about availability of an MPEP boolean search query during the exam?
All,
quick tip that can save hours of frustration. once the exam begins, on you scratch paper, write out all 27 chapters. takes about 2 minutes to do but warms you up / gets you focused on the exam. that way when you read a question, you can mentally pick up keywords from the chapter listing you just made.
Best of luck
Neil
It will be a good idea to make grids for the questions from 1-50 before answering the questions.
The posting quoting the CFR on user passes jogged something that I meant to post. During the first portion of the exam, I tended to search the index and the MPEP text by key word. During the second portion of the exam, it was more efficient to search the CFR appendix (or USC as appropriate for the question) by quoted rule/statute number to determine the best answer. Also noted that in some sections, keywords that were in the section would not appear during a “find” in that section. I distinctly remember not finding a phrase using the find feature and later running across the word while scanning through a section on a subsequent question. Went back and changed the answer on the previous question due to the “new”information, that was almost directly quoted in a answer choice. Find feature also seemed “finicky” about how the search phrase was entered into the find box and subtle typing changes yielded “hits” where none appeared before. Probably a good idea to practice with the Reader 5.0 to gain better search term success.
Is it true that only 90 Qs are graded? This seems inconsistent with the statement at the beginning of each test (that you have to get 70 right out of 100) and the Model Answers posted by USPTO which says that “credit given for all answers” in cases of “beta” Qs. I’ve seen so many inconsistent postings re. this issue I’d appreciate it if someone can clear this up once and for all. TIA!
I posted the same on Intelproplaw.com
——————————————————————————–
Hi folks,
I can proudly report that I passed the exam yesterday here in Lowell at Prometric.
All went well with the equipment and software but we had a power fail for 1 min in the afternoon, at Q 49 or so, my nerve system was about to leave my body…
Thanks to all for their contributions and comments on this forum site which helped me in my studying a lot.
Here is my feedback from yesterday’s test:
– A truckload of repeats but many of them were altered or modified. I recommend to “learn by heart” all the posted repeat questions because you will be able right away to answer the question and it gives you an additional 3 minutes of time for other, more tricky questions to look up the MPEP with the finder.
Do them over and over and over and also check the explanations provided in the answers.
– Watch out for the modifications of the repeat questions, some of them are tricky and difficult to recognize the slight change(s) in the wording. It seems to me as if the USPTO looks up these postings and modifies them all, sooner or later.
I have had also the Q’s (sometimes other names but same facts) on:
Mirror, perpendicular mounting,
PCT, missing Abstract
PCT, deleting benefit claim
PCT, the Costa Rica Question
PCT, the Swedish guys question
PCT, the German guy question
PCT, Canadian guys files in the US
Lip Closs, similar to Einstein,Weissman, but watch out for the wording , but it still ex parte
Spanish Phone
PCT , 20 yrs term from what date (watch out, two separate questions, separate facts, one first filed in Germany, one in the US)
PCT , is the English translation needed or not
Obviousness Q’s which I did not recognize from previous repeat questions.
Terminal Disclaimers , who can sign
40% one assignee, 40% second assignee, 20% remained with inventors, who can sign what
4 Inventors filed a patent, one inventor refuses to cooperate, what’s next
New use of an “old” chemical
Titanium Baseball (I checked the 4th of July answer)
VELCRO
In addition to several PCT Q’s, I have had a truckload of Q’s from 1200 and 1400, you really need to know Appeal, Reissue, and Reexamination. As mentioned above, knowing the repeats, you will have extra time to look up the answers. The PDF finder – assuming you have entered a key word, avoid long phrases – will get you directly to the MPEP section because most of the wording in the question is a CC of the wording in MPEP.
Regards and good luck, send an email to rdsconslt at AOL, in case you need to know more – as long as my memory is still fresh…
RDS
I took the exam for the first time on August 25th, 2008. I came close (65%) but did not pass. Part of the reason was because I had been practicing with a newer version of Adobe Reader, and on the day it was a struggle to find anything. Also, the resolution of the Mpep was so bad I had to zoom in more than 100% to read anything, and so I had to scroll from left to right. I STRONGLY agree with what others have said, practice searching on the version of Adobe that prometric offers (Adobe reader 5.0). They really should update it, its ridiculous…
Regarding the Prometric facilities, what is the test environment like? Is it crowded? Noisy? Distracting? I’m wondering whether putting together the request to be in a separate room would be worth the time. Any thoughts on the testing atmosphere would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Everyone,
I just took the pat bar and passed a couple of days ago. I want to thank people on this board and thank the blog owner! I found the blog a couple of weeks ago. Both the outline and the question analysis sections are is very helpful!
It looks like my question pool is quite similar to RDS’s (see above)
I have had also the Q’s (sometimes other names but same facts) on:
Mirror, perpendicular mounting,
PCT, missing Abstract
PCT, deleting benefit claim
PCT, the Costa Rica Question
PCT, the Swedish guys question
PCT, the German guy question
PCT amending abstract
Spanish Phone
PCT , is the English translation needed or not
Obviousness – the reasonable expectation standard
Terminal Disclaimers , who can sign
40% one assignee, 40% second assignee, 20% remained with inventors, who can sign what
4 Inventors filed a patent, one inventor refuses to cooperate, what’s next
New use of an “old” chemical
Titanium Baseball
VELCRO
priority of design app.
102(e) dates for app. before and after 11/29/2000, originated in US and outside. (I think 706.02(f)(1)? has a pretty good analysis on this; I found it during the exam and it was helpful)
Japan 45 days
maintenance fee, check returned
There were a lot of PCT Q’s, and a fair a number of Appeal, Reissue, and Reexamination.
There were also a few RCE related questions, but I cannot recall the details.
My advice is also to study the old exams. I took most of the exams between 2000-2003.
Knowing something about the possibility of these “new” questions was helpful, but I have to say that I don’t remember any of the “answers” during the exam. The “knowledge” was re-assuring, but if you study the old exams well, you will know where to look for the answers.
The exam facility is really quite. You can’t even take your watch or chewing gum in there.
It is definitely doable if you put in the time – I spent about 100 hours (mostly just taking the old exams and then checking/studying the concepts I missed; I have been working in the field so I sort of have a head start).
Best of luck to everyone who is studying to take the exam!
Anna
Are you a patent examiner?
Hi All,
Just wanted to give you my update based on the exam which I just took… and not passed.
In my opinion the reason I did not pass the exam was due to not mastering the 1200, 1400, 1800, and 700/2100 chapters. Even thou I put about 5.5 months into studying, as a beginer was very hard to find the right direction…
It tood me about 3 months for a general review of the MPEP – through a self-based paid online course (only $495 but I do not recommend to anyone); followed by a more defined review of the material for another 2 months; followed by a month of exams. Which I don’t think was enough…
By the end of the studying, I took a week of from work considering that would be enough to master the material, and as of a day before the exam, I knew I don’t have what it takes to pass the exam.
So, here are my 2 cents in what it takes to pass the exam:
- the exam included 85% of old questions including variations
- new questions were very easy to find, or distand variations of the old questions…
To be able to pass, as everyone else stated in this blog, below are required:
- read information about all the chapters to understand the general view
- read and master the hot topics the people add to the blog
- make sure you master: 1200, 1400, 1800, and 700/2100
- take all the previous exams, and retake them till you pass all of them with 100%
- then you are ready for the exam…
Thanks,
Dan
Hi Dan,
I don’t know how to reconcile two seemingly inconsistent bits of advice. On the one hand, you and others did not find the $495 program (OmniPrep?) helpful. On the other hand, everyone strongly recommends past exams. Doesn’t the $495 program offer 90% of the current exam. If past exams are helpful, the current exam would seem to be even more so.
Thanks, Art Williams
The new exam is not tested on omni prep
I took and passed the test about a week ago, and will post various comments under those sections to which I believe they likely relate.
As to the Prometric facility and testing procedure, I believe there is a few things I would have liked to have known ahead of time:
- My test was scheduled for 9am, and I showed up at about 8:30, they put me in the big room and started the test, after the tutorial was over, the test instantly started at maybe 8:45. It did not start at exactly 9am, as I had assumed. As a result, other people arriving for (presumably) 9am tests were shuffled in by the employees during the first 20 minutes of my test, which was very disruptive. If given the choice again, I would have killed time until the last moment possible so that I would be one of the last in the room.
- You literally can’t bring anything in with you. I had to even remove my wristwatch, which I thought was a bit ridiculous. I’m pretty sure I’m not capable of using a analog watch to cheat. I was also not permitted to bring any Kleenex, which I assumed was a courtesy to other test-takers, rather than sniffling from a cold the entire time.
- You also cannot bring any pens/pencils into the room, and instead you are limited to the 2 pencils they give you. You are not permitted more than 2. If one gets dull, you must swap it for a new one. I specifically asked to have more than 2 and they refused.
- You are given 4 bound pages of scratch paper. If you use it all, you must trade in the entire booklet and get a new one. I made a 102 chart as well as a grid of all my answers, and obviously did not want to give that up. I ended up using one booklet in the morning and one in the afternoon. It was more surprising than anything, and wish I had practiced with that scenario. Also, I was told I was not permitted to tear any sheets out — though I’m not sure what the result of doing so really would have been.
I have a general question about Prometric PC based test. It might be stupid, but can anybody tell me whether the title of each charpter is shown on the test? For example, the chapter is shown as “700 Examination ofApplications” or just “700″? Thank you very much.
I was worried about the same thing when I took the test. You CAN see the titles of the chapters in the test software. However, you can only open 1 at a time. Additionally, it’s a little tricky to see both the MPEP and the questions at the same time. You can do so by shrinking the MPEP window with your mouse and then moving it to the side/top/bottom.
Matt B’s info on the Prometric test process was super helpful!
Some additional notes on test center procedure and what it’s like to take the exam:
- I was told you cannot take on/off your jacket/sweater once you get inside the test room, but apparently you can if you step outside the room and leave your jacket outside the room (but that would waste time).
- My testing room was actually surprisingly somewhat warm – I didn’t mind the warmth, but you might want to ask what the temp of the room is at check in and figure out what you want to wear inside.
- You get one 15 minute optional tutorial when you start the AM session that starts the clock for your entire test- You can finish the tutorial by clicking out early, but you can also use the time to make up a numbered answer sheet on your scratch paper booklet. Note: you don’t get a tutorial before the PM session and you keep the same scratch paper, so you’d have to make room for all 100 questions.
- The optional 1 hour lunch break is strictly timed by your test computer! The 1 hour timer starts immediately and automatically after you finish the AM section! So, you have to make sure you get back to your computer on time!
- You can use the test center earmuff things or they can give you disposable earplugs (which I used). Since people will be walking in and out of the test room (they have different tests scheduled to start at different times), you might want to use earplugs! btw I could “feel” the people walking behind me during my exam, since the floor was somehow not that sturdy, but at least I had earplugs!
- They have small lockers with key locks that you can use to keep some of your belongings in, which was great, because you can’t bring anything in, not even tissue.
Hope this helps someone!
These are my notes RE the exam software and timing experience. Thanks for the great website. Sorry if my notes are redundant of your note above…
The exam is administered on a PC and the testing software has two notable features: the first is a searchable MPEP and the second is the timer. This section of my write-up will cover both of these features and how to use them to your advantage.
• MPEP: The MPEP is given to you in its entirety on the examination, but a few handicaps make this fact less useful than it could be.
• First, the chapters and appendices are all broken down into separate PDF files. Thus, to search for a term you must be able to navigate to the proper PDF file quickly. You should generally know the MPEP chapter names and general contents therein. If you get tripped up on the exam, you can check the table of contents, but skipping this step is worth a few minutes over the whole exam.
• Don’t get too dependant on the MPEP. If you are looking up every question you will more than likely run out of time and fail. Be sure to work practice exams under real time constraints. Some people prefer to leave all look-up questions for the end of the exam, others want to look them up as they go. You need to know your best approach before your test day.
• When you do use the MPEP on the exam, be smart about it. Know what materials are in the big chapters (700 & 2100) and look there first if the question falls under these chapters. My fallback resources in the MPEP are “Appendix R — Patent Rules” and the Index. Between these four resources I was able to knockout 6/10 of the questions I needed to lookup. Chapter 1800 (PCT) was a surprisingly important chapter also.
• Probably three times during my exam the answer was “(e) All of the above” , where the components (a)-(d) were exactly from a list of alternatives in the MPEP. It was as though the PTO copied and pasted the MPEP directly into the exam. A smart MPEP search made these questions a snap to answer.
• What is a smart MPEP search? Generally, it is knowing the tricks of a good PDF search. My approach is to search for the unique words or combinations of words found in the call of the question. For example, search the entire term “correspondence delivered by hand” rather than “correspondence” or “hand”. Using quotes on a multiple words combination confuses the most current Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows, but I cannot recall their effect on the ancient version of Reader used during the exam. A little trial and error will help you know how to find answers quickly on exam day.
• The Exam Timer: The time allotments are broken down as follows: (1) 15 minutes** to read the instructions, (2) 3 hours for the morning portion of the exam, (3) 1 hour lunch break, (4) 3 hours for the afternoon portion of the exam, (5) exam center survey, and (6) exam results.
• ** the “15 minutes to read the instructions” may have been 10 minutes.
• During the introduction time I followed the advice of previous test takers to make an answer sheet (example included); I also wrote out all of the mnemonics and tables I had invented to use as a reference during the examination period. Use this time wisely because you won’t get another introduction period after lunch.
• The 1 hour lunch break does not appear to have any extensions, so don’t be late coming back into the exam room! I sat down at 59 minutes 45 seconds and had to get right back to work.
• During the lunch break I read the answers and explanations of old exam questions. This may sound like a panicked thing to do, but it really did help. Several answers that I read in old exams during lunch came up in the afternoon session, so it paid off. You may elect to clear your mind and relax.
• After the afternoon session had ended my heart was pumping pretty good. I expected to see my score report as the final second of my afternoon session elapsed. I was disappointed to find an exam center survey between me and the results. This took about ten minutes to complete and I hated ever second! Yes, everyone was courteous… just give me my score!
• Eventually, you will be given your “Preliminary Test Results”. If you passed, it will say so, if you fail, it will indicate your actual score. The results are “preliminary” because there is a possibility that some question will be thrown out and thereby your pass/fail designation will change as well.
• Those with a preliminary pass should take heart. Upon obtaining a preliminary pass, a colleague of mine called John White (the primary teacher of PLI’s Patent Bar Review), who reported that he has never heard of someone getting a preliminary pass which was later changed to a fail. White was not asked whether any preliminary “fail” has been flipped.
Thanks to all those who took the effort for the postings above. I am planning to take the test in next few weeks. Someone mentinoed about preparing an “answer sheet” during the 1st 15 min intro part, does anyone have a sample?
Vinayak,
Simple make two tables 1-50 and 51-100. Number 1-50 vertically and across the top label a,b,c,d,e.
A B C D E
1.
2. x x x
While going thru questions, make an x on the answer that u are sure is wrong. it will help in process of elimination
I am also taking it in the next few weeks. May I ask your study strategy? What have u done to prepare so far?
Sam
one can be found at http://freepatentbar.com/products.html#
its under cheat sheet.
My study strategy is based on PLI material & advise. Currently I am doing the previous exams & practice exams. I am also:
1 – Reading MPEP 700 & planning to read 2100, 1800, time permissting read 1200 & 1400
1- Signed on to websites like mypatentbar & IP law server for more info from folks who have passed the exams. I am Any other suggestions?
The copy/version of the MPEP (E8R7) presently available on the PTO web site includes a “Table of Contents” file that enumerates the names and numbers of the MPEP chapters. Clicking on a chapter in the “bookmarks” pane of the TOC file transfers to that chapter. The bookmarks pane for each chapter enumerates that chapter’s section headings. Clicking on a section in the bookmarks pane transfers to that section.
Is any of this available in the Prometric environment?
Thanks, Art Williams
Hello Everyone,
First, thank you! To all of you who contributed to this – you are true Americans. This site is full of accurate details and pertinent, friendly advise- all of it helped me pass last week.
I was especially grateful for Advise on the exam center conditions – they do not allow watch, cannot remove jacket, and cannot keep first booklet if you request second. Also, I had to step outside the building to eat outside – no food on premises allowed! Need extra time for that.
Questions were like those by RDS and Anna above. I shall go to the relevant sections to post what I remember. It struck me that variations were more common in my exam. Especially, if it has been recommended to choose an answer on this panel (eg., ‘forward to IB), in the PCT Costa Rica case it was the correct choice but in the Swedish (?) case it was disguised within an incorrect choice – In my opinion, the correct choice was the choice that included the phrase ‘(USA) not competent site’.
Just wrote the exam and got a preliminary pass. Does the “preliminary pass” I passed the bar or the USPTO now goes and take off marks for answers to their dummy Qs.
I am preparing using the PLI material & planning to take it in next few weeks. Need some info om testing at prometric:
1. Does it have a timer for each question & a total timer?
2. Does it have ability to bookmark & tag unanswered questions?
3. What version of acrobat is used?
4. Has anyone tested at the prometric in San Jose, CA?
Hi Vinayak,
I am starting to prepare for the BAr Exam. How did u get the PLI materials? Any tips on how to prepare for studying? I am considering buying a review course.. however am not able to decide which one to buy because of the high costs. can u give some advice on this? thanks for your time..
Ashwini,
I bought the PLI homestudy course. You may find it on sale at Ebay, craig’s list or check out this site:
http://www.intelproplaw.com/ip_forum/index.php/board,16.0.html
Regarding tips, this site has very good tips. I would suggest you go thro’ PLI material once, answer all the quiz/test/homework & prime questions before looking at the previous exams. Also, dont forget to look at the repeat questions as mentioned above by few people.
Last bu not least, get used to the electronic version of MPEP as quickly as you can since u use it on actual test.
A question from 2003 exam:
John filed a non-prov. pat. appl. in PTO claiming 2 distinct inventions, a combination & a subcombination. At the time of filing he recorded an assignment with all right of inventions to ABC corp. In the 1st OA the examiner required restriction & John elected combination. A year later during the pendency of appl. John filed a divisional claiming the subcombination. At the time of filing divisional John assigned all rights & interests of claimed inventions in divisional to XYZ corp. & the later party recorded the assigment within 3 months of assignment. Which of the following is false?
(A & B are wrong, for sure.)
C) ABC corp has no ownership rights in subcombo
D) XYZ corp has no ownership rights in combo
E) XYZ corp has no ownership rights in subcombo
Answer as per patware is (C). I think XYZ corp should have rights in subcombo.
ABC’s ownership was assigned and recorded properly before XYZ had ownership rights assigned. And in a divisional, the ownership rights recorded with the parent application carry over.
If it would have been a CIP I think you might be right though.
I am confused. I think (D) and (E) should be correct as ABCs ownership to the material includes the combination and subcombination, according to MPEP 306. Can someone clarify?
Thanks all who had posted the helpful information. Are patent bar test for recent years are available some where? I am about to take a test in July, coming soon and a little nervous still.
Some of you posted the test question related to:
PCT, the Costa Rica Question
Spanish Phone
VELCRO
Japan 45 days
I do not recall I have saw questions in my old test suite, so wondering where to fine them?
Vinayak-
The assignment to ABC corp. was made before election of the combination. It seems that ABC has ownership of the combination and the subcombination in the divisional application: MPEP 306: “In the case of a division application, a prior assignment recorded against the original application is applied to the division application because the assignment recorded against the original application gives the assignee rights to the subject matter common to both applications.” It seems as though the invention is no longer John’s to assign to XYZ, but rather ABC’s.
I appreciate the website! It helped me pass the exam on the 2nd attempt yesterday. My first exam i April was a real ‘hardball exam’ — very few repeat questions, 60% of the test on the detailed workings of appeal, reissue, reexam, PCT, and 102(e). Having had the PRG video course during the prior year, this didn’t appear to me to be the ‘typical’ exam as the PRG suggested. I did learn from it, however. Went on to study all old exam questions 2000-2003 while cross-referenceing the answers with the MPEP, and every question on this web site people had seen (also cross-referencing with the MPEP). The 2nd exam was a more typical experience as suggested by others on this site (more repeat questions-Tribell, Mario Lepieux, Bloc, Moondust, et cetera). If you get the ‘hardball’ exam, just try your best. If you pass great, if you don’t, then don’t get discouraged…take the test again, ensuring you study throughly and you will likely get a test more typical of the experience of those on this website.
Ptt,
Can you advise some new/unusual questions you remember? I’d truly appreciate it. Thank you
DJ,
Here is what I remember. Best of luck!
1. Fact Scenario asks relevence of 37 CFR 1.105. Search 1.105 in MPEP, and select the answer that is FALSE (…all of the following EXCEPT… type of question). Recommendation: Have an understanding of 37 CFR 1.105 before you go into the exam, so you don’t burn time reading it during the exam to make sense out of it.
NOTE: Overall, my 2nd exam in July had about a dozen questions similar to 1) in that the fact scenario was 1-2 sentences with question dealing with a section of the MPEP actually provided by the USPTO test writers in the fact scenario of the question. I selected an initial answer, then looked it up to be sure I didn’t pick an incorrect ‘trap’ answer. I actually had to change my answer to a more correct answer on about 5 of these questions. The LESSON: If the USPTO provides the MPEP section, take the time to look it up. If you don’t, there is an even odds chance your going to PAY for it in a selection of an incorrect answer option.
2. 102(e) regarding PCT. The exam in April and my July Exam this week BOTH had two questions on PCT situations concerning 102(e). Review all the 7-8 scenarios in the MPEP at 706.02(f) BEFORE you take the Exam so when you take the exam you can dial right in to match the fact scenario with the correct situation. Other people I know who have also recently taken and passed the test have indicated they had 1-2 PCT 102(e) questions on their exams. You don’t want to miss these, because you know they are NOT Beta questions.
3. A question on what is considered a formal drawing. The fact scenario was a short, single sentence (..all of the following except) and each answer option was a short, single sentence. I was surprised that it stumped me for a bit…just the way the answer options were stated. Ans. I chose that color photos are not considered formal drawings. Incorrect (Trap) answer: formal drawings require submission with the application.
4. 102(b) question (…all of the following except): Ans. Examiner cannot make a CUMULATIVE rejection. I read this in a paragraph in MPEP 700, during my study leading upto the exam, so this is what I chose after review of the question. This is the type of question you were not likely to find exact wording of the answer options quickly in the MPEP, so you just had to know this ahead of time. Other answers were a) Examiner can make one 102(b) reference rejection, b) Examiner can use two 102(b) references to make the rejection.
5. Question regarding identification of the situation where the Examiner does not need to provide an explanation as to why he/she allowed the claimed subject matter. This question was in Roman Numeral format with I, II, III, IV scnearios. Ans. Examiner made specific rejections and the Applicant made amendments to the claims to overcome each specific rejection such that it was clearly evidient why the claimed subject matter was allowed. Incorrect (trap) answers: The other three roman numerals were sitations that the Examiner had to make expressily clear why the allance was made because it was not exactly clear from the prosecution why the allowance was made due to minor differences between the claims and the prior art.
6. Piecemeal Examination (which is TRUE?) — go to MPEP 700. Type in ‘piecemail’ and hit find. Ensure the scenarios given in the MPEP are listed that way in the answer option. Ans. (E) all the above. (A)-(D) in MPEP 707.07(g) where the answer options in the question. See Q48 on this website for further discussion.
7. PCT Question: Int’l application sent to the US RO and US RO does the Int’l Search. After the Int’l search is complete the time period is now between Stage I and Stage II and where should the correspondance be sent? Ans. Applicant can make changes to the claims and sent it to the IB. Incorrect: (A) Send changes to claims to US RO, (B) send changes of claims and spec to US RO, (C) send changes of claims and drawings to the IB….you get the idea.
8. Accelerated Examination regarding a new type of dirt used to excelerate growth for plants…what is required for submission for an invention that desires Accelerated Examination EXCEPT…Roman numerals I, II, III, IV. Ans. Select MPEP 700. Type in ‘accelerated examination’ and hit find. Check what the MPEP says versus what is found in the answers and pick out the ones that don’t apply.
9. Interview Question: When is it appropriate? This was another question where I thought I selected a reasonably correct answer. When I looked up in the MPEP I was surprised i had the wrong answer, and had to change it. Ans. An internet interview can be conducted if previously arranged by written authorization with the Examiner by the Applicant ahead of time. The email serves as a summary of the interview (put a paper copy in the file). MPEP 713.01(I). LESSON: Take the time to look it up to ensure you really sure you really selected the most correct answer.
10. See Q22 PCT, Germany. I have included further comments on this question regarding John the practitioner who is in Germany regarding the correct way to get a declaration and a reply to the USPTO on time given that it is the waning hours of the last day of the 6 month statutory period.
11. Appeal. 10.03.38a.
12. Claim counting; 4.00.13p. Ans. 8
13. 102(d) question, but not the same format as former exam question 4.00.29p. I believe this varient required the test taker to select the TRUE answer option.
14. Clearly know the differences between 37 CFR 1.99 submission and protest (no remarks, 2 mo. after publication; protest requires furnishing remarks on pertinent sections BEFORE publication). Both exams had at 2-3 questions on these topics.
15. A question regarding showing proof to the USPTO when an application was mailed using the U.S. Express mail and the USPTO never recieves it (Which answer is true? kind of question). Look up in MPEP 500. Make sure you know what the USPTO excepts as proof. Some things they will accept a copy of the article, some others they will not and the call of the question is see if the test taker knows what is acceptable proof.
16. When to properly use 1.131 declaration. Varient of old exam questions on this topic.
17. Know that unrecorded assignee can sign small entity status declaration (MPEP 400).
18. Appeal. Know what happens when Board reaffirms rejection on some claims, reverses the decision on other claims and issues a new ground of rejection. MPEP 1213.02.
19. Restriction question. Answer options provided scenarios of combination/subcombination and the species thereof on an invention and the test taker had to pick out the answer where the Examiner’s restriction requirement was proper. MPEP 800.
20. Mark Twine Broadening Reissue Question; 4.03.14p.
OVERALL:
1. I only recall two claims question on EACH exam (April and July). The ‘Smith Laminate’ question showed up on each exam (or one its varients — (04.00.17a) and a different question dealing with 35 USC 112, Parg. 6…regarding structural equivalants…quantity of claims questions much lower than the old exams.
2. 3-4 questions regarding dead inventors on the April Exam….0 questions on dead inventors on July Exam.
3. April Exam (‘hardball exam’) had many questions where I had to scroll the to the next section of the computer screen. July Exam every question fit only on the one screen (many short 1-2 sentence fact scenarios, short single sentence answer option…many “according to the MPEP except”…).
4. April Exam — No easy ‘gimme’ questions such as the Markush Claim question 4.00.45a. The April Exam required you to WORK for, and EARN the correct answer on every question. July Exam – had 2-3 gimme’ questions that included Markush Claim question 4.00.45a.
5. Take the time to get comfortable with what’s in the MPEP. In my case it’s taken me 1.5 years since I started reading it to begin to really feel like I know my way around instead of being afraid of even attempting to venture in there…there’s 200 years of law in there that is a bit overwhelming to the newcomer. The MPEP is not learned when treated as a ‘weekend warrior project’. Additionally, I have been very fortunate to also be working in the field over the last 1.5 years that has helped my understanding. With the on-line MPEP and the PROMETRICS testing format gives the USPTO the opportunity to justify asking tougher, more detailed questions as I experienced on the April exam. Knowing the overall contents of the MPEP well and how to quickly search with what you know meant more correct questions for me in both the exams I took. By the July exam, I knew the MPEP even better because I cross-referenced everything I studied since April with the online version of the MPEP which gives you every day practice, which translates into less search time per question on exam day — good thing…upper right hand clock keeps ticking down. Knowing the MPEP and how to effectively search in it was a major reason I passed the July Exam and fell a little short on the April Exam.
6. Read MPEP 1200 Appeals several times BEFORE the taking the test. Seems I had 6-7 questions on each exam regarding appeals.
7. One type of question I would advise just to ‘mark’ until you reach the end of the exam session and then go back and try to answer it if you didn’t know the answer on the first pass. This type of question is often with ‘according to the MPEP’ fact scenaio, but has answer options wherein the essence of each answer option is in a different MPEP chapter. I had at least 3 questions on the April exam and the USPTO does not put any 37 CFR XX/35 USC XX reference marker in each answer option to help you. If you don’t know where it might be to check the accuracy of the particular answer option, it’s tough sailing and burns alot of time off the clock to single out the most correct answer. Thankfully, I did not have any of these type of questions on my July exam.
8. Go over the 60 questions in this website that others have seen since the 2003 paper exams and find every answer surrounding the blog discussion in the MPEP as a help to yourself in better knowning the MPEP as discussed in 7. above and better prepared to answer varients of any given question should a similar question come your way on your particular exam.
I am so happy to report that I passed the exam last week. This was my third attempt. I am a long time lurker of this site which is extremely valuable for passing the exam. I missed my first test Feb-2009) by just 1 Qs, the second test (May-2009) I didn’t review in detail all the newly reported Qs and got caught be surprise by Qs such as who can sign what in which situation etc (scored 65%). In the last week before my exam I studied all the newly reported Qs looking up all Qs in the MPEP to optimize my skill searching the MPEP. I also went to the USPTO to look up the Qs of my previously 2 missed exams. This all helped me tremendously. I just want to stress to how important and valuable this site is and would like to thank every single contributor to this site – this is a great community – keep going so that future test takers will also benefit from this site. Now I have to find a job after working for a very long time in the corporate world.
The exam itself contained many Qs that have been reported on this site, as well as a few old repeated questions such as Tribell, Moondust pencil, Bloc (cure for cancer – alleviate pain), Potter (102e rejection, what cannot be done to overcome), DRAM, Multiplicity/Piecemeal, PCT – Costa Rican guys, Swedish guys and German guy (A = US/RO is incompetent send appl to IB and keep F/D), RCE during Appeal, nonpublication request at US F/D => filed appl in Jp, Laminate;
a lot of 102(a), (b – including 2 not so obvious Qs re on sales bar), 102 (d) and 102 (g) and 103 Qs.
The new Qs below is a list so of Qs as far as I can recall:
•Rejection w/ 3 mo SSP, applicant relies w/i 2 mo, advisory action by exam before the 3 mo SSP – what is the date to calculate any extension of time => date of end of 3-mo SSP
•Final rejection w/ 3 mo SSP, applicant relies w/i 2 mo, advisory action by examiner after the 3 mo SSP – what is the date to calculate any extension of time => date on which the Office mails the advisory action
•Non-prov appl w/ executed oath – who can sign the appl, except? A = atty signed for single inventor who could notbe located after diligent search (wrong answer)
•Filing provisional appl – one page of drawings is missing – How can this be corrected? => file a new complete provisional appl (MPEP 601.01(d)
•Correction of inventorship – which of the following statement are correct?
(i)Using CFR 1.48(a) in a non-provisonal aplpl where error arose w/o deceptive intension on the part of the person named as an inventor or through error was not named as an inventor, the inventorship of the nonprov appl may be amended to name only the actual inventors
(ii)Using CFR 1.48(d) in a prov appl to add an inventor were omitted in the prov appl
(iii) In a reissue where assignee has 100% ownership, but one of the inventors disagrees
A = all 3 statements are correct
•All claims 1-10 rejected, claim1 is only independent and claim 2-10 are dependent. On appeal the Board affirms the rejection of c1-7, but reverses the rej on claim 8-10
A = examiner converts claim 8-10 into independent claims and issues appl, or set a 1-mo time limit in which appellant may rewrite dependent claim in independent form
•When is it proper to use a 1.377 petition to correct maintenance payment errors? None of the A provided were correct (no patent #, no appl #; file w/I 3 mo (must be 2 mo); petition signed by atty, applicant or service payment company (must be part of interest); cannot recall the other Answer)
•Correcting claim for foreign priority for an appl that was filed on or after 11/29/00 and that has been granted to claim priority to German appl – correction can be done using a reissue appl – what of the following statements are correct?
1.Identify prior appl by appl #, or be intl appl # and intl filing date, indicate relationship
2.File reissue oath identifying foreign appl
3.Submit a certified copy of priority docs in the reissue appl to perfect prio
4.File petition for an unintentionally delayed priority claim in addition to filing reissue appl
5.submit ADS
Statements 1-4 are correct, ADS is wrong – is not required
•examiner request submission of information – Which of the following statements are correct, except: A (wrong) = information that is only material to the patentability – MPEP 704.12a
•protest by third party alleging that invention was on sale > one yr prior to F/D. Protest was filed after publication of appl, but before N. Allowance- Should examiner enter protest => Protest should not be entered b/c it was not filed before publication
•Appl is filed using Express Mail (Q from 2000-Apr-PM-Q14) – USPTO didin’t receive appl- which of the following statement are correct, except? A (wrong) = file copy of entire appl using Cert of Mailing
•How can benefit claim be deleted after N. of Allow. ? A= before paying issue fee, file RCE w/ amendment to delete benefit claim
•Applicant dies before filing application – Who can sign the oath, except? A(wrong) = a joint inventor who is a minor cannot sign the oath until he is a “legal” person
•Ex parte Reexam – What prior art can be submitted, except? A (wrong) = prior art citation can include a statement as to the claims violating USC 122#1 (MPEP 2205)
•What docs can an assignee sign w/o having established ownership ? => small entity statement
•40% ownership assignee A, 40% ownership assignee B, 2 joint inventors – Who can sign the reissue application – all 4 parties = 2 assignees and 2 jv’s
•after paying issue fee, applicant wants to submit a PA reference cited by foreign counsel, but doesn’t want tp pay for RCE – What can applicant do to submit PA reference – A= applicant can send PA reference after issue fee payment, PA will be put into file wrapper, but won’t appear on issued patent (MPEP 1302.13)
•new Appeal Q – New ground for rejection by Board affirming examiner’s rejection. Applicant submitted amendment that overcame the new rejections and the affirmed rejection and made the claims allowable. I am not quite sure about the Answer, but I think the examiner can allow the application during limited prosecution before examiner w/o returning it to the Board
MPEP 1214.01 – …..”Prosecution before the examiner of the 37 CFR *>41.50(b)41.50(b)< rejection. If
the application becomes allowed, the application should not be returned to the Board.
•Q regarding correction of inventorship in an issued patent that has a 100% assignee (corporation) with inventors A & B via reissue or Cert. of Correction; company wants to add inventors C & D, and inventor B disagrees and only agrees if patent is divided so that inventor B gets his one patent, but inventor A agrees to add inv B&C. What can be done to correct inventorship?
This is a little bizarre Q – there was not really an A ‘Not possible” as reported in this site, and the other options were filing an divisional reissue is not quite correct, but Cert. of Correction cannot be used, b/c inventor B disagrees. Perhaps this is one of the beta Q.
Thank you again and good luck to everybody taking the exam.
8. Accelerated Examination regarding a new type of dirt used to excelerate growth for plants…what is required for submission for an invention that desires Accelerated Examination EXCEPT…Roman numerals I, II, III, IV. Ans. Select MPEP 700. Type in ‘accelerated examination’ and hit find. Check what the MPEP says versus what is found in the answers and pick out the ones that don’t apply.
V – is ADS. I don’t thing ADS MUST be submitted. That’s why andwer is I, II, III, IV
Hi Guys,
Just wanted to say I took the exam today and passed. This site was very helpful with providing questions on the exam. To those about to take the test – review the questions posted on here. I had so many repeats. It made the exam a breeze. I also used the PLI course and took the practice exams religiously. I studied very hard and learned how to use the MPEP. I had a lot of questions on appeals, some PCT, 102(e) and all the stuff everyone else talks about. Study hard, study the questions and you will do fine.
Hi Dan,
Congrats on passing! I am in the 1st week of my studies for the bar.. and am stressed already. I am using the PLI materials for the prep. Can you please tell me, how should I incorporate “learning to search the MPEP” at this stage. I listened to the lectures on the CD, read the notes and try to solve the Prime Questions. Please suggest how can I study smartly and effectively. Thanks for your time!
AD,
Searching the MPEP was a concept I didn’t FULLY embrace until a week or two before the exam. At this point I had a solid knowledge of the basic’s covered in the PLI course and my brute force methods of learning the material, but being able to search really made a difference in my ability to consistently answer questions correctly. It takes the pressure off of remembering every little detail. I find that even if I *know* the answer I like to make sure with a quick search.
What I did to get better at searching was to look at questions individually (checking the answer after each question) and try to identify what section of the MPEP the question referred to and then look up. After you try to look it up, check out the answer and explanation. See where they cite the answer and confirm. At first I wasn’t that good but I could see the answer was close to where I was looking “there is a method to the madness…”
What you will find is that a lot of the answers are verbatim out of the MPEP. It won’t be long before you get reasonably good at looking stuff up.
Oh READING (or at least skimming) chapter 2100 helped me a lot. John White recommended this and it helps because a lot of questions are from 2100 and if you have some idea how it’s all broken down it makes searching that much easier. Get a grasp on 700 too. No need to read it with a microscope and take notes – just get a feel for how it’s laid out.
So you take all of the practice tests (especially the more recent ones) until you know the answer to the question before you even finish reading it. Then you look over the questions posted here (“exam questions and concepts” and repeats) and try to familiarize yourself with that material. Then when it comes time to take the test you will see like 30 repeats, some questions you can easily answer, a bunch of questions that you saw off this site, and then you are left with questions that you can search/use your knowledge on. A couple questions might be way out of left field but they will be so few and far between that it’s alright.
I found that I had more then enough time – I finished the first section in 2 hours and then went over everything for an hour. The second section took me 2.5 hours and then I got excited so I finished the exam early.
Yeah I had lots of appeal and some PCT questions, but this stuff wasn’t too bad because I could search. Most of the stuff is right out of the MPEP, it isn’t rocket science. I decided to take this exam before my first year of law school. As an undergrad I was never a great student… I put the time in for this test, at least the 150 hours. By the time I took the test it was all so familiar I had no problem passing.
Hope this helps.
This is very helpful. I would like to know more.
How, for example, would you apply your search strategy to the titanium-baseball question?
My searching produces a few relevant passages, but I don’t read them as consistent or decisive.
My understanding is that the question focuses on three dates in the following order:
1) When the brochure went on restricted display
2) When a competitive application was filed minus one year.
3) When the brochure went on open display
As others have said, the relevant portions of the MPEP appear to be 2128 and 2133 which offer the following material
1) A reference will constitute a “printed publication” as long as a presumption is raised that the portion of the public concerned with the art would know of the invention even if accessibility is restricted to only this part of the public. But accessibility to applicant’s thesis was restricted to only three members of a graduate committee. There can be no presumption that those concerned with the art would have known of the invention in this case.).
2) … the expertise of the target audience, the existence (or lack thereof) of reasonable expectations that the material displayed would not be copied, and the simplicity or ease with which the material displayed could have been copied.
3) “Once an inventor has decided to lift the veil of secrecy from his [or her] work, he [or she] must choose between the protection of a federal patent, or the dedication of his [or her] idea to the public at large.”
4) … the inventor puts the invention on display or sells it, there is a “public use” within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)
Can you or your search technique help me to answer the question of whether or not the date of the restricted display constitutes a 102 (b) bar?
Thanks very much, Art Williams
Dan,
Thanks a million for writing a detailed response. I truly appreciate your gesture. It helps a lot. It tells me im on the right track and not totally lost as i was feeling
.
Thanks again! All the best for Law School!
Hey, would appreciate an answer to this question for those who’ve taken the test: I understand that a searchable version of the MPEP is provided on the test on a chapter by chapter basis. My question is, how is it laid out? Do they give you chapter names like Ex Parte Reexaminations? Just numbers like MPEP 0200, or some combination thereof? Thanks in advance for your help
Are there any actual True/False questions on the exam as I’ve seen on Examware 2007? Or do all questions have 5 answer choices, A-E?
all questions are 1-E and most are a lot more detailed than the examware questions.. You will need to know the questions on this website better than the ones on the examware…
This site is very helpful !!!
Here is a question on PDF search:
Q: When you start a PDF search during the test, does it always start from the beginning of the chapter, or from the current page you are looking at?
For example: my search term is “102(a)”, and I am at page 2100-71, when I start a search of “102(a)”, does it start from page 2100-71 or 2100-1?
If it always starts from the current page you are looking at, it’s much more efficient b/c you can narrow down to certain section b4 you search. Otherwise it might be a headache.
Thanks a lot
Chris
I had a friend just take the test last month. He said that the search starts from the cursor on the page/current page. (i.e. not from the beginning.)
Hope this helps.
Thank you Ch333!
If that’s the case, life is easier
Can you use Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V to copy key words from the question and paste them to MPEP PDF search window?
idk. The Patware software from PLI that I use doesn’t let me copy or highlight, so if the real test does, that’s another plus.
I passed the exam on sept 2, 09. 1) How long does it take to receive the official results? 2) After sending in your registration ( the form that mailed with your official results) how long before you are officially registered as a patent atty? 3) overall, how much time does it take between passing the exam (provisional results) to being able to represent patent clients?
Did anyone ever respond to this inquiry? I just got home from the exam (preliminary pass) and am curious as to the same points Opuskv626 has raised. Any insight is much appreciated!
Congratulations to those who passed.
But I didn’t pass so I have to take again. I have to wait 30 says before I can re-take it and that still falls in my 90-day window.
I am still within the 30day period from the first test and I tried to register with my old USPTO ID for the second test, the system is not allowing me, saying my ID is not recognized. Looks like I can’t even register within the 30day period, will the system recognize mold ID after 30 days?
Anybody has such experience? Thanks
Buddy, what was the deal with this? Were you able to register before the 30 day period was up? Did you have to wait until the USPTO mailed you your acceptance letter?
You have to re-apply, you can’t just try to schedule a new date w/ prometric even though it’s within your 90 day window. When you pay to register to take the patent bar w/ the USPTO, it is only for ONE exam. I had to fill out a new form (although you don’t have to send in your transcripts and stuff again, they save it for 1 yr) and wait for a response from the USPTO to get a new ID number to schedule w/ prometric.
Could someone please advise me as to which Prometric exam center between Fremont and Santa Clara/San Jose is most preferrable? I am planning to take the test sometime in October, pending availability of dates.
Thanks a bunch.
I just passed yesterday on my first attempt. I did not spend one red cent on study materials and do not believe it is necessary to do so to pass. Thanks to the mass amount of repeats, this test is pretty easy if you put in the time. Here is my .02 cents on test strategy:
1. Download this outline (it is really good) and read it over a couple of times.
2. Do ALL the old exams from 2000-2003 at LEAST twice. Not only are you learning the important concepts, but you are memorizing answers, which is key. You are also learning how to use the MPEP search function, which is also key. When the real exam came, I probably looked up answers to at least 30 questions that I wasn’t sure of. You need to be scoring at least 85-90 on each test before you are ready for the real exam. (I made an outline based upon questions that I was repeatedly getting wrong).
3. Learn all the new exam topics posted here.
4. The week before the test, read MPEP chapters 700, 1200, 1400, 1800 and 2100.
That is literally all you need to do to pass this test. As for my particular exam, I had at least 30 repeats from the 2000-2003 exams. The following commonly tested newer topics also appeared:
Tradename – VELCRO
Moondust
Tribell
Japan – 45 days
Wireless Telephone
Amending the PCT Abstract – ISA rewrites
Electric Toothbrush
Death of Inventor after he’s assigned part of invention to his atty
PCT 102(e) file date – Sweden/Costa Rica
Assignee not of record signing small entity claim
Hairgel (the answer was ex parte reexam)
MDC fee calculation
Door knob – means plus function
Titamium Baseball (Prior Art – July 4)
Mirror reflective qualities
Joe Blockhead
Piecemeal Exam
Return of Maintenance fee
Parking meter
misspelled name (Jon Jones)
I had several Q’s on new grounds of rejection by appeal board
I also had a question on telephone calls to FIU
I hope this helps!
I passed 9/28 on my first attempt. I did not spend one red cent on study materials and do not believe it is necessary to do so to pass. Thanks to the mass amount of repeats, this test is pretty easy if you put in the time. Here is my .02 cents on test strategy:
1. Download this outline (it is really good) and read it over a couple of times.
2. Do ALL the old exams from 2000-2003 at LEAST twice. Not only are you learning the important concepts, but you are memorizing answers, which is key. You are also learning how to use the MPEP search function, which is also key. When the real exam came, I probably looked up answers to at least 30 questions that I wasn’t sure of. You need to be scoring at least 85-90 on each test before you are ready for the real exam. (I made an outline based upon questions that I was repeatedly getting wrong).
3. Learn all the new exam topics posted here.
4. The week before the test, read MPEP chapters 700, 1200, 1400, 1800 and 2100.
That is literally all you need to do to pass this test. As for my particular exam, I had at least 30 repeats from the 2000-2003 exams. The following commonly tested newer topics also appeared:
Tradename – VELCRO
Moondust
Tribell
Japan – 45 days
Wireless Telephone
Amending the PCT Abstract – ISA rewrites
Electric Toothbrush
Death of Inventor after he’s assigned part of invention to his atty
PCT 102(e) file date – Sweden/Costa Rica
Assignee not of record signing small entity claim
Hairgel (the answer was ex parte reexam)
MDC fee calculation
Door knob – means plus function
Titamium Baseball (Prior Art – July 4)
Mirror reflective qualities
Joe Blockhead
Piecemeal Exam
Return of Maintenance fee
Parking meter
misspelled name (Jon Jones)
I had several Q’s on new grounds of rejection by appeal board
I also had a question on telephone calls to FIU
Hi ajclegal,
Can you describe a little more about “Joe Blockhead” Question you had? Is it related to what to do after issuing the reexam certificate OR removing a priority claim after allowance to extend the term? Thanks. -Michelle
Is there any way to get a hold of the newer tests, i.e. the 05-09 tests?
Roughly how long does it take the PTO to admit you to take the test once you send in your materials? I want to make sure I am timing this right. Also, I was admitted to take the test 2-3 years ago but never signed up to take it – I am assuming I will have to start the process over. Is this correct? Thanks!
Hi Emily,
I called the PTO/OED about a month after receiving the self-addressed post card I had inserted with my application. I was told that six weeks is typical.
Good luck, Art Williams
Thanks for the quick reply! I am having a hard time figuring out how long the studying will take me. (I’m working full time and not really sure how much time I will have in a given week to devote to studying depending on how busy I am at work). I don’t want to have to rush through at the end, but I also don’t want to wait too long after I am ready to take the exam in case things start leaking from my brain…
Can someone please clarify for me what is currently being tested about claim drafting? I know at one point you actually had to draft claims, but you don’t anymore. I’m using an older (I think 2002 or 2003) version of the PLI materials, and I noticed that the next 3 CDs are devoted to claim drafting, and I’m not sure these are necessary. When did the Patent Office switch the way these are tested, and what’s the best way to prepare now? Thanks!
looked over this site a bunch before my exam took the PLI course and then jsut did exams over and over as well as the exam concepts part of this website, it was a huge help and i passed on my first time.
morning was much easier than afternoon. And morning wasnt that easy.
15-20 on re-exam
10 appeal
10 reissue
repeats i got:
Mario lepuix
moondust
Shoe polish/hairgel
revival of rexam
japan 45 days
modified (adhesive layer/light sensitive layer)
Tribell
door handle
piecemeal examination
questions i got
103c prior art disqual
jake and rake make a product rake fies for patent with him and jake as inventors.
jake thinks its his own what does he do? i put file own app interference not sure if its correct
reissue copending with reexam
reissue time extensions 3 ques
claim counting question answer was 8
terminal disclaimer who signs
appeal when claim rej ask for reconsid and rejected on new basis
how to overcome 102b 102a 102e rejections (3 separate questions)
you claim range of 8% – 11% prior art says it is 9% overcome by putting range in spec and claiming 10%
time extensions for reexam
102e dates for pct apps
PCT app where its in Japanese language applicant is us resident japanese citizen -> i put forward to Japan receiving office US not proper if its not in english
priority claim not in provisional what to do -> file new app with priority claimed and let old one go abandoned
filing IDS before issue fee paid after notice of allowance
prior art drawings have no scale on them -> irrelevant still prior art
obviousness questions overcoming and definitions
incomplete drawings in PCT
102 art when you can combine them
question about examiner reporting fraud -> only when he has indepdent knowledge of a judicial decision claiming there was fraud on the patent office
what can assignee not of record sign
2 or 3 questions on express mail and certificate of mailing.
protest after publication of app
Also to answer emily M’s question there is no claim drafting whatsoever on the test
Just passed yesterday. A big thank you to mypatentbar.com for a great resource for review. And, thanks to others that have posted helpful suggestions.
1. Most important thing to do: take the 2001-2003 tests until you score 90-100% every time. Once this happens, a general sense about what the PTO wants you to know and where to go to find it becomes a part of your tool box. And, that helps when all those new questions start popping up on the Prometric exam.
If you miss a question on the old tests when reviewing, go to that section in the MPEP that is indicated on the answer sheet. Spend time on that section and get the concept. Then, rinse and repeat and repeat and repeat… This really helps with getting the MPEP familiarity that will allow you to look up sections of the MPEP during the test and get the right answer.
I think this is what some of the professional review programs are trying to get across–but, it seems to come across as skim and read it independently. Why not just get the familiarity with the MPEP from what the PTO wants you to know?
2. Look at the repeat and exam concepts sections here. Do, memorize all old PCT questions: I had 10-15 questions. For me, this was the maker-breaker section. Germany, Sweden, Costa Rica, Mexican Nationals–like it has been said before on this site, this is the psychological part of the test because the answers are consistent across similar fact patterns. Just hang your hat on the right answer and don’t waiver. If you read anything, read MPEP 1800 and the outline on this site.
3. Do a review course if you are not generally familiar with patent law concepts–but, don’t waste any additional time there because this test is specific to what the PTO wants. It is not a general knowledge test. It is better to quickly get a general review and then start taking the old tests. Seriously, the old tests are it…
4. Relax the night before the exam and put the confounded stuff away. Try to schedule a weekend exam so you can start the test at 9:00 A.M. instead of 8:00 A.M. Then, you can get up and get your coffee and let the brain rev-up before heading into the test.
5. Recalled repeats:
PCT: Germany, Sweden, Costa Rica, Mexican Nationals, PCT&102(e)
Mario Lepieux
Mirror
Lancer
Moondust
Tribell
Bloc
103 Graham
Potter
Broom
Fan, Lamp, Clock
Death of Inventor
Death of Joint Inventor–affect on POA
Multiplicity
Cheers and good luck…
I took the patent bar yesterday and passed (well its preliminary I guess)! Does anyone know of the likelihood that a preliminary pass won’t in fact turn out to be a pass?
Anyway, the first session was brutal, and not at all what I expected! I only had 2 repeat questions (I had understood that there would be a lot more), and I didn’t even have a high number on the MPEP chapters I had focused on. I had no PCT, 2 Appeal, and only a handful of 2100 and 700. I had a large number of 800 (at least 6), 600 (probably 8), 300, 400, and correction of inventorship. The mix seemed really weird, and at the the break I felt disillussioned because I had been averaging high 80s and 90s on the practice tests but the first session seemed nothing like it.
Anyway, after lunch was pretty easy — thank goodness, because I am sure I wouldn’t have passed if it had been a repeat of the morning. In the afternoon I had a mostly 2100, Appeal, and PCT. I had a ton of repeats including:
Multiplicity
Death of inventor
Tribell
Potter — its a variation though, so be careful
Lipgloss
PCT: Mexican Corp/Nationals and the Japanese language filing
PCT: publication of only US designation
Tip & Point (moondust)
Titanium baseball (publication version)
Japan 45 days
Return of Maintenance Fee
Piecemeal
Jon Jones (misspelling)
Small Entity error (1.28(c))
My advice (like everyone elses) is to practice and familiarize yourself with the 2002/2003 exams and all the new questions reported on this site. Although, my morning session hardly had any repeats, my familiarity with the MPEP meant I could look up at least 10-12 questions. In the afternoon, the high number of repeats really helped my confidence.
Good luck!
1. 3 inventors A, B, and C on a pending application. Applicant discovers the ADDRESS is incorrect for Inventor B. How do you make an address change on the application? (one inventor may be unavailable, and these answers are just surmises)
A) Assignee of entire interest sends in an Application Data Sheet correcting
B) 3 inventors declare oath with correct addresses
C) Send in notification of Inventor B’s address
D) Assignee declares oath with all the correct Inventive Entity info
E) Assignee signs a petition under some number naming all inventors A, B, C declaring all inventors and identifies Inventive Entity
What do you all think?
Anyone figured out what the answer might be for this?
*** I answered A).
603 Supplemental Oath or Declaration
37 CFR 1.67 Supplemental oath or declaration.
(a) The Office may require, or inventors and applicants may submit, a supplemental oath or declaration meeting the requirements of § 1.63 or § 1.162 to correct any deficiencies or inaccuracies present in the earlier filed oath or declaration.
(1) Deficiencies or inaccuracies relating to all the inventors or applicants (§§ 1.42, 1.43, or § 1.47) may be corrected with a supplemental oath or declaration signed by all the inventors or applicants.
(2) Deficiencies or inaccuracies relating to fewer than all of the inventor(s) or applicant(s) (§§ 1.42, 1.43 or § 1.47) may be corrected with a supplemental oath or declaration identifying the entire inventive entity but signed only by the inventor(s) or applicant(s) to whom the error or deficiency relates.
(3) Deficiencies or inaccuracies due to the failure to meet the requirements of § 1.63(c) (e.g., to correct the omission of a mailing address of an inventor) in an oath or declaration may be corrected with an application data sheet in accordance with § 1.76.
(4) Submission of a supplemental oath or declaration or an application data sheet (§ 1.76), as opposed to who must sign the supplemental oath or declaration or an application data sheet, is governed by § 1.33(a)(2) and paragraph (b) of this section.
I think I had this question on my “practice” test a month ago…
Can anyone provide a link to the version of the MPEP that is used for the Patent Bar? I would really appreciate it. Thanks!!!
Here ya go: Edition 8, revision 4! http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/old/mpep_E8R4.htm
Don’t get thrown off that most of the chapters say “revision 3″ on the bottom – it’s because those chapters didn’t change in the 4th revision.
I passed the Patent Bar today (2-3-10) on my first try. Here is my thorough recap:
Note, when I say “Answer” below, that does not necessarily mean that is the correct answer. That is either the answer I chose on the exam OR that is a concept you have to know in order to eliminate a wrong answer choice.
“New” Questions
Titanium Baseball
Answer: Prior art as of date article indexed in library catalogue
Mirror
Answer: mirror discloses parallel and perpendicular and PHOSITA would not be able to understand which it is
Amending Abstract
Answer: if the Abstract is provided by the ISA, practitioner has 1 month to submit comments on said Abstract
Deleting benefit Claim
Answer: pay issue fee and file RCE
Costa Rica
Answer: U.S. Receiving office is not competent; application sent to IB; application is afforded international filing date as of the date it was filed with the U.S. receiving office
Sweden
Answer: U.S. Receiving office is not competent; application sent to IB; application is afforded international filing date as of the date it was filed with the U.S. receiving office
Velcro
Answer: maintain rejection under 112(2)
Information Requested From PTO (via telephone)
Answer: Ask the caller lots of questions and conclude the caller cannot establish the proper association to receive status of publication date
Trade Secret (all of the following except….type of question)
Answer: Can’t remember but had to deal with petition to expunge and public’s access to expunge or non-expunged information in RCE)
Maintenance Fee Refused Entry (MPEP 2500…(asked in the form “all of the following except”)
Answer: Can’t remember, but know that if there is no “mandatory identifier” (no patent number, no patent application number), a 1.377 petition cannot be used
Investigating Deceptive Intent:
Answer: If examiner has independent knowledge of a judicial decision of fraud, inequitable conduct or if applicant makes an admission, investigation of deceptive intent is made
Who can sign a Terminal Disclaimer (40% A, 40% B, 20% by two inventors)
Answer: Need signatures from all above
Piecemal
Answer: I, II, III, IV (all of the above)
What can an assignee not of record sign?
Answer: Assertion of small entity status
What document does not need a signature and still be accepted?
Answer: Assertion of small entity status
Appeal and examiner’s rejection or examiner’s objection to claims
Answer: If examiner objected to a claim that would otherwise be allowable except for a rejection of an independent claim, the objected claim dies
Answer: If examiner rejected a dependent claim, Board reverses examiner, then applicant allowed to rewrite dependent claim to independent form or Examiner should allow applicant 1 month to rewrite dependent claim to independent form
Third Party Submission:
Answer: Limited to patents and publications; know that it should not contain any explanation or underlining or notations when submitted
Combination / Subcombination
Answer: Very tough question, using process of elimination, I was able to pick the correct answer…after about 15 minutes! It’s tough because the wording used in the choices do not match up with the MPEP, but are pretty bad paraphrases.
What is required to receive a filing date for a provision application?
Answer: only the written description and any drawing if necessary; know that oath and fee can be submitted later
John Jones spelled incorrectly as Jon Jones…what is cheapest way to correct inventorship after the patent has issued?
Answer: File ADS; the wrong answer said to telephone examiner and have examiner change the declaration—this has to be wrong because once a declaration is filed, it cannot be amended in any way, especially by a third-party (i.e. the examiner) who isn’t the declarant!
A couple of question on Restriction Practice and on CIP.
The question where there is inventor A and B, who assign interest to Corporation. A patent is issued. Corporation later determines that C and D should be named as inventors. B, who was fired from Corporation, disagrees and thinks only A and B are inventors.
A question where the facts state that the two inventions were not commonly owned. Question was about how should examiner proceed? From that sole fact, I eliminated the three answer choices that had the words “double patenting.” I think double patenting rejections are only applicable if the two inventions are commonly owned.
The question about realizing that inventor’s address (this is not the correspondence address) is missing from the declaration. What to do? The correct answer had to do with B needs to file a supplemental declaration that names the ENTIRE INVENTIVE ENTITY, but only signed by B. The wrong answer choice said to name only B and signed only by B. This was another tough question because it required me to look up something in the MPEP, which cross-referenced a Rule. When I looked up said Rule, it cross-referenced another rule! It was very time-consuming.
A question requires you to know that for divisional and continuations, a prior recorded assignment recorded against the original application is applied to the divisional and continuation. But for substitute and CIP, a prior assignment of the original application is NOT applied to the substitute or CIP application.
Repeats
April 2000 – AM
Tommie and Jo(4.00.23a/4.00.24a
Bond 60%C or 60%D (4.00.27a)
Obviousness (4.00.32a)
Prior Art (4.00.42a)
Reexamination (4.00.47a)
April 2000 – PM
Federal Court Decision of Validity is Not Binding on PTO in Reexam (4.00.19p)
102 (f) (4.00.44p)
April 2002 – PM
Hair Gel (4.02.37p)
October 2002 – AM
Facsimile Transmissions (10.02.49a)
April 2003 – AM
1
2
8
25
33 (Choose answer talking about on/off switch location)
37
41
April 2003 – PM
4
19
26
28 (Claim Counting where answer is 147)
32
44
October 2003 – AM
7
8
11
16
19
23
24
32
36
38 (variation…know the concept)
42
44
50 (Claim Counting where answer is 147)
October 2003 – PM
4
6
10
14 (Variation..know this concept)
18 (Big time variation of Jon Jones. I chose answer of File ADS.)
24
28
29
30
38
40 (Variation…know the concept)
The morning session was difficult. After the first go through of the morning session, I had marked 9 question to review. These 9 questions I really wasn’t sure…couldn’t eliminate many of the choices. As I was reviewing the 9th question, I ran out of time. The afternoon session was much better. I marked 8 questions for review. I was able to look up the correct answers to 6, leaving me 2 that I wasn’t 100% confident on. At this point, I went ahead and ended the exam, because I was pretty sure I got around 90% of the afternoon questions correct.
For all the questions I had to look up, I could pretty much find everything I was looking for. I think there were about 10-12 questions that I couldn’t figure out where/how to search. These questions weren’t simple look ups, but rather a specific fact pattern, that required application of the law to the facts to get the correct answer.
One thing to note ,as another person had commented is how to search the Prometric MPEP. When you click on the pull-down menu to access the chapters of the MPEP, you need to click on a button called “Open.” That opens the particular chapter you’ve selected. Then you may proceed with the search by clicking on “Find.” If you want to see a second hit, you click “Find Again.”
The bad habitat I got into was that I was say looking in Chapter 2100, which I have open. I then wanted to search in Chapter 700. Therefore, I click on the pull-down menu and select Chapter 700. I forget to click “Open.” Then I perform my search, and I don’t realize that I’m still in freakin’ Chapter 2100 searching! I caught on to this bad habit after about 4 times of inadvertently searching the wrong chapter. Be forewarned.
There were a lot of repeats in both the morning session and afternoon session as seen above. The test today has definitely changed from the 2001-2003 exams. In the 2001-2003 exams, the answer choices were nearly word for word from the MPEP or have the word “not” inserted. Therefore, in the 2000-2003 exams, you could search pretty long phrases, sometimes half of the entire sentence, so long as you knew what chapter to look in. My experience is that you can no longer do this today. Now, not only must be in the correct chapter, but you should only chose 2- word search phrase to search. Once you find the hit(s) in the electronic MPEP, you have to read the entire sentence (and before and after it) to see if that concept is what is conveyed in the answer choices. In other words, today, the answer choices today are often paraphrases from the MPEP, which makes searching more difficult. How will you know what buzz words to search for?? By reviewing the prior exams, you’ll know what the buzz words are.
My recommendation is to do all the 2001-2003 exams, three times each. Yes, this takes forever to do, but it’s worth it. The important part is to review all the explanations provided by the USPTO because they are very good. I find that all the “wrong” answer choices from the past exams, show up again as wrong answer choices on today’s exam, but on non-repeat questions. So if you know why an answer is wrong back then, you’ll be able to quickly eliminate it today. The good thing is that those “wrong” answer choices sometimes will show up VERBATIM on today’s exam. On the flip side, those “wrong” answer choices from 2001-2003 also turned into “right” answer choices today. For example, a “wrong” answer from the Oct. 2003 exam was wrong because it had the word “not” inserted in the wording from the MPEP. Today, that wrong choice is now “correct” because the word “not was eliminated. Therefore, the moral is to know why ALL past answer choices were either right or wrong.
My methodology to pass was as follows and more or less, in this sequence:
1) I have the PLI course. Go over PLI DVD course to the letter. Take notes in the margin of the PLI notebook. If John White says to shut off the DVD player and do a mini exam now, then do it. I did all the Prime Questions and Homework and Quiz excercises as scheduled. (At this point, I have not yet touched the PLI Patware CD—this comes in step 7. Also note, I did not listen to any of the PLI Audio CDs.)
Repeat step 2 from above, again! Take more notes.
2) Take officially released practice exams starting with October 2003 and ending with April 2001. This is 6 practice tests. (Note, I did not do the April 2000 or October 2000 tests, except for the known repeats reported on this website). The most time-consuming part of the practice exams is reviewing the answers. In reviewing the answers, I looked at virtually all the Rules and MPEP sections cited in both the right and wrong answers. While I did this, I took notes. All I did was hand-write verbatim from the PTO explanations of the concepts I was not understanding or had trouble remembering. (in the end, I ended up with a 25 page hand-written notes. They weren’t in any organized format…just random PTO rules and law)
3) Review the outline from this website.
4) Review the Repeat question section on this website. http://mypatentbar.com/repeat-questions/
5) Review the Exam Questions and Concepts question on this website. http://mypatentbar.com/current-questions/ Again, on a separate piece of paper, I kept notes of fact patterns and probable answer choices for these “new” reported questions.
6) Repeat step 2 from above. Take more notes.
7) Do all exams in PLI Patware.
9) Review sections from PLI notebook that I had tabbed from step 1 above.
10) Using Patware, create a customized exam of only Appeal questions. Take notes from Patware explanations.
11) Using Patware, create a customized exam of only PCT questions. Take notes from Patware explanations.
12) In last week prior to exam, I reviewed the Repeat Question Section and the Exam Question and Concepts sections again. For all Repeat Questions, I memorized the fact patterns and the answer choices. I did this until the point to where I could cover up the entire fact pattern and by looking only at the answer choices, I could pick the correct answer. More specifically, I read everybody’s comments who had listed the question number of their personal repeats. I then went back and re-did all the questions that people have reported.
Throughout this methodology, beginning with doing the old exams, I was constantly reviewing my hand-written notes. Focus on the known repeated questions. But honestly, what helped a lot was to know ALL the questions from the 2001 – 20003 practice exams for the concepts of the rules and laws conveyed. These concepts are tested on today’s exam.
I studied almost everyday for 3 months. I put in anywhere from 2-4 hours per day. PLI’s recommendation of 150 hours is not nearly enough. I never took a full 100 question practice exam in one day. I always just did 50 questions in one day followed with immediate review of the 50 questions (took about 2.5-3 hrs hrs to review 50 questions). The next day, I would do the remainder 50 questions followed with immediate review. I wasn’t worried about stamina. During the real exam, you’ll be pumped up that you won’t feel sleepy and time will fly by
However, be sure to pace yourself. During the exam, when the clock says 1:30 remaining, you should be on question 26 or higher.
In retrospect, I feel that I had over-prepared for this exam. There were so many concepts that I went over and over again that did not show up on the real exam. For example, I didn’t need to know how the 2-month rule works or that you have a max of 7 months to file an Appeal Brief. I was really concerned with whether a 1.136(a) or 1.136(b) petition would be available in certain situations, but that was not tested either. I didn’t have a single question on plants or biotech rules. I didn’t have any “weird” dates (e.g. things filed prior to 11-29-1999, 11-29-2000, prior to 6-8-95, prior to 5-29-2000). In other words, all of the questions I had applied to the latest rules. Nothing on PTE or PTA.
Thanks to all who have contributed. I could not have passed without this website. Good luck to all the future test takers!
Congratulations for passing the exam.
Thank you for sharing these helpful information.
Combination / Subcombination
Answer: Very tough question, using process of elimination, I was able to pick the correct answer…
Do you remember what is the correct answer?
I do not remember the correct answer. I do remember though that typically for most questions, the paraphrases from the mpep could all be found in consecutive sentences from the SAME paragraph. In this question, I think I had to look in three-four different paragraps to eliminate the wrong answer choices. I can’t remember if these three-four paragraps were in consecutive order. I do recall that the paraphrasing in the answer choices required very careful comparing the wrong choice with the text in the MPEP. My advice on this one is to be able to quickly do a word choice for “subcombination” to find the relevant section
Thank you for the advice.
A question from April’01
16. Stan, through a registered practitioner, files an application for a patent. During the
prosecution of Stan’s patent, in an amendment, the practitioner admitted in his discussion as to
“all the claims” of Stan’s application, that “the most pertinent available prior art known to the
Applicants and their representatives is the Acme Patent, cited by the examiner.” Within one year
after the patent issues, Stan comes to you and wants to file a reissue to broaden his claims, based
on the fact that the Acme patent is not prior art. He has ample evidence to show that he
conceived and reduced his invention to practice before the filing date of the Acme patent. Which
of the following is true?
(A) Stan should file a reissue application accompanied by a declaration under 37
C.F.R. 1.131 to swear behind the date of the Acme reference. The statement by
the registered practitioner, who formerly represented Stan, that the Acme patent
was prior art constituted error without deceptive intent and may be corrected by
reissue.
(B) The explicit admission by the registered practitioner, who formerly represented
Stan, that the Acme patent constituted prior art is binding on Stan in any later
proceeding involving the patent.
(C) Stan should file a request for reexamination and submit the Acme patent along
with evidence in the form of affidavits or declarations showing that the Acme
patent is not prior art.
(D) Since the Acme patent was cited by the examiner and not by the registered
practitioner, who formerly represented Stan, Stan can not be held accountable for
the error. Moreover, the statement by the registered practitioner was directed to
the pertinence of the prior art and not to the issue of whether the date of the Acme
patent could be sworn behind. Accordingly, the statement has no binding effect.
(E) (A) and (D).
Answer:
I would think (A) to be the answer. But I see (B) to be the answer. Can somebody explain it to me,pl?
Thank you for the help.
The question is about what the lawyer or agent stated in order to get the patent. Here, he stated that the admission from Acme was pertinant and thus it is now and always will be prior art and the claims were modified to avoid this prior art. Thus no reissue can be sought as it would be recapturing.
Thank you for the reply… Makes sense.
This has been a wonderful site for my patent bar prep! I have a few questions that I’m curious to hear what other people think, and please feel free to chime in if you’ve passed and remember as well!:
1) Are the 4 exams (2 from ‘03 and 2 from ‘02) the most important? Is it useful at all to look at anything from ‘01, ‘00 or even ‘99, or would you recommend to spend that time to review the more recent topics of e.g. Appeal, PCT? Has anybody else noticed/observed that not only do these pre-02 exams have lots of fact patterns (as compared to recently where it seems like its “rules”), but they seem really more complicated/detailed?
2) How many repeats can I expect overall? (on average?) – e.g. at least 5? 20? it seems to vary a LOT from person to person
also, for these repeats, how many are exactly worded the same with the exactly worded answer? like, could i immediately recognize “B” or whatever without reading the entire question. i understand there are some variants
3) I took the April 2002 exam and scored a 63 first try. I thought it was much harder than any of the ‘03 exams and the Oct. 02 exam (anyone agree or disagree?) Is this any indication of how I might do on the actual exam? I’m asking this b/c I took it under simulated conditions for the first time, trying to replicate the actual exam, and only saw a handful of repeats.
4) Is the general consensus that Adobe 5 is the closest replica of the MPEP for Prometric? Further, can I view the MPEP and question at the same time, or do i have to switch back to each window? Are the chapters labeled by number or by title and number?
5) Lastly, I sent in my application on the 4th, and haven’t heard a peep. The check hasn’t been cashed in yet. Is this normal or should I be worried?
Thanks!!!!!!
Lots of questions…I’ll see if I can help on some of them.
1) I think the four most recent exams are the most important, but I don’t think it would be a waste of time to go through the older exams, at least once. If you look at the “repeat questions” part of this site (which you may have already done), you can see which questions from those exams that people have reported seeing again, so if you’re crunched for time, maybe just focus on those questions. The one downside to focusing too much on older exams is that some of the rules have changed, and that can throw you off a little. Probably the repeated questions wouldn’t be those though.
2) It probably does vary a lot, and you may just want to take a rough average of what people have reported on this site. I probably saw 15 or so. Of these, many (if not all) looked to be word-for-word repeats, with the only difference maybe being the order of the answer choices. Some had slightly tweaked the answer choices to clarify them. Another hugely useful resource is the exam concepts portion of this site as well as http://www.patentbarquestions.com where people discuss new questions they came across. Although people don’t remember the questions and answer choices word for word, you get a sense of what the question is going for, and especially after reading people’s discussion of what the answers should be, you tend to remember them. I saw several of these on my exam.
3) Sorry, I don’t really remember which exams I scored better on than others.
4) I used that, and it was pretty close. I don’t think you can look at both windows at once (although I thought I remembered someone saying you could make both windows smaller and see both, but I couldn’t figure it out on my exam). The most important thing is getting familiar with the “find” function. The chapters are labeled with title and number.
5) I don’t remember what the general turnaround time is, but I don’t think a few weeks is time to panic yet.
Good luck!
thank you for your comments E, very helpful!
I am unclear about the process of searching for stuff during the exam. What exactly are we searching in … the MPEP, 35 USC, 37 CFR, or all of them? Also, where do you go to download these to mimic the testing conditions most closely? When I go to the USPTO website, I get a list of each chapter/section of the MPEP, USC, or CFR and the titles of each. Are these titles available on the version we look up during the exam? Thanks!!!
You’re searching the MPEP, which I believe includes 35 USC and 37 CFR as appendices – I never used those. You pull up each chapter separately from a drop-down menu that lists chapter number and title, and that is what you search. People say that Acrobat 5 (an old version) is pretty similar to the reader on the exam. I would download that (I can’t remember the website where I found it, but I just googled), and then use that to search the chapters from the USPTO website. (Make sure you’re using 8th Edition Revision 4 – the current edition on the website is revision 7 or something, but click on the link for “archives” and you can get to revision 4.)
Took the patent bar and passed today on my first try! (3/2/2010).
Thanks to this site.
Here are my recommendations (the recommendations of “patent bar passer above on feb 4 2010 are pretty good):
1) A PLI or PRG course is nice (I had PRG since work paid for it).
2) Do the practice exams over and over and over and over and over. Focus on Oct 2002, April 2003, and Oct. 2003. A lot of the questions on the older exams are out of date (the answer is not quite right due to rule changes. Appeal is one example of that)
3) review the new questions on this site and patentbarquestions.com (I found that reading the “dump” area of that site helped a fair amount
4) Get to 92%+ on every of the 3 practice exams. When you study, don’t just memorize the answer. Actually look up every answer in the MPEP even the incorrect ones. I had several instances today where the question was reworded with old questions but instead of saying which is right *except*, it would say which is right. I had several pick I,II,III,IV of new questions reported in this site, but variants thereof. It is very important that you go look up the rules for the new questions to understand the meaning.
Also, I was able to do a 1/2 practice exam (an AM or PM) in about 40 minutes. You will need this speed so you don’t run out of time.
I had a lot of repeats. The monring was a little harder than afternoon because I had to search so damn much. With about 1 hour left I had 12 or so I had to go back and look things up more, and pretty much got to all of them using all my time. The afternoon were a lot of questions that were easier to lookup and/or repeats or variants of old questions reported that if you prepared, you could figure out.
Several questions were goofy (I even found one with a typo) so Im pretty sure those were beta questions.
My MPEP search technique was to lookup in index and then go to the section (not the most efficient, but it worked for me).
I had a lot of re-exam questions (including ex parte re-exam).
Some PCT including one where part of drawing is missing and the practitioner files something like 10 months after notice to correct what is the 102e date. (you had to find that you have 32 months + 5 monhts max from priority date), then figure out that the US provisional that the PCT claimed priority on was the date.
One on what happens in appeal if the board issues a new ground of rejection and practitioner files an amendment for some of claims (not responding to all), but ALSO files a request for rehearing. I forget the correct answer but that scenario is in the MPEP.
Lots of 112 enablement stuff. probably 5 questions…so know that.
Here are other new questions I got (some of the labels are from patentbarquestions.com so go look there and study the concept in that case) ….
lipstick
japan 45 days
147 claims
a couple on trade secrets (more than one)
maintentence fee with errors on it.
assignee of record can sign a small entity statement
cancer one
an indefinite claim whre claim was rejected as obvious claiming 5-7% of one thng and 7-11% of another , the reference had 5.5% and 8% (I put down the answer that said re-do the claim and put the 2nd item fixed at 9%)
trade secret
investigating deceptive intent
I think I had a couple on protests (mixed in with previous questions related to RCE). one of them had a fraud component (sorry my memory is fading me)…
combination/subcombination-
there were 2 or three questions on provisionals. for example, if you forget to include a drawing what can you do (I forget the answer I put, but I do remember you cant amend a provisional).
a couple on translations and perfecting priority in PCTs
correction of inventors address
correction of inventors in reissue
corection of priority in reissue
spanish 102d question (design patent)
I had a variant of red ink/black ink, the answer was a variant, but asked which of the following is true EXCEPT (pick the write in black ink )
splitting up patent claims question file a reissue and then a divisional reissue
a specific question on what a 1.131 affidavit can do (required knowing some more finer detail, I spent a lot of time looking up the minutia which is required to answer this)
another means plus function variant (how to compare a claim in a reference which uses mpf claims to the current claim which does not.)
restriction requirements -2 or so questions
laurel abott and harvey
pct question on publication when IA is only filed in US, designating only US, but applicant doesnt file national stage (who published the app and when….there was some minute detail to this)
faxing contracting state information in PCT (not allowed is the answer)
[edit] Claim for Priority via Reissue question (ansewr is file reissue plus certified copy of priority document, english translation not required)
Tribell
broadening reissue
RCE during appeal
hairgel question
mirror question but not as presented before. IT simply asked you which of the following woud be a proper 112 rejection (and then it lists various cases of mirror/reflecting surface and the purpendiclar/parallell answer (which is What I put).
federal court decisions was not a question by itself,but listed on a “what is in acccordance with MPEP” questions.
I had one where the practitioner got 20% of assignement of an application by a sole inventor for prosecuting the app, then the inventor dies. what happens to the case? (I forget the answer, but there are scenarios in the MPEP on that).
there was an obscure 102(a) and 102(g) thing, that I guess on
indefinite claim using “high” (I think I put as long as the spec had some implied meaninng of what “high” means its not indefinite).
means plus function determinng equivalence question
again, lots of repeats, just do 2003 exams and oct 2002 exams. Note how the rules have changed (follow some of the dialong on those questions on this site)
Good Luck!
I passed last week, thanks for the great site.
I am selling my almost entirely unused PRG study materials. This includes: 1) All 4 volumes of volumes of “Patent Practice” textbook,
2) Printed practice questions corresponding to each volume of “Patent Practice,”
3) CD-ROM with over 2,000 practice questions (really helpful),
4) Printed version of MPEP (4 large binders),
5) PRG’s “Latest Tips and Tricks for Success” for passing the patent bar on your first try, and
6) Binder with all handouts from class and my notes.
Price is 750 (paid almost 3,000).
Please respond to this thread if interested.
I am Interested in purchasing if materials are stiil available.
Thanks,
P. Webber
Was there anything wrong with last two posts? I see that the whole format has been changed in the last couple of hours.
Can somebody pl put out a format to use this new website?
Thanks a million.
I am looking to sell my PLI materials for pretty cheap… email me at oo7swoosh@gmail.com if you are interested!
Tex,
Did you pass?
Please tell us some of the new questions
Sally
Sure np Sally, I actually passed several months ago, and this was my write up:
Just passed last week on my first try! Would have posted earlier, but like one poster said, had to celebrate, and let off some steam. Anyways, I’ve got to give back, so here goes. My preparation consisted of the PLI materials and THIS WEBSITE. I basically studied for the last 4 weeks full time, and before that for about 3 weeks just glancing at stuff. I also had the bullseye outline material, but didn’t look at it too much.
After I finished listening to PLI CD’s, I started using the patware software to take old tests repeatedly, in addition to the PLI exercises. I only really worked on the 02 and 03 tests. The first time I took them cold, I was getting around 60%. The next time it jumped to 80-90%. Basically, once you do the questions once, it’s not hard to memorize them. Just look at the questions constantly and it’s not too hard.
My test was very very similar to “irrational’s” above. Like others have noted on here, the tests lately have been very focused on Appeals (1200) and PCT (1800) questions. Also, don’t get too stressed about 102(e) because the fact patters are all very similar to the 700 flowcharts which help a TON! Look over those closely. I must have had close to 35-40 repeats on the test, so that was nice. Also my morning section felt way more difficult than the afternoon one. I remember feeling iffy after the first part, but don’t get discouraged. This most likely means there are a bunch of beta questions because the second half, I felt like a crushed it. Anyways here are some of the questions I can remember… Enjoy and Goodluck!
- Velcro
- mirror (parallel/perpendicular conflict)
- 1.131, 1.132 affidavits
- germany, costa rica, and sweden nationals filing PCT in USPTO
- no ownership required for small entity status
- door handle
- investigating deceptive intent
- claim counting (147)
- piecemeal
- smith laminate
- dead inventors (several q’s)
- no certificate of mailing from foreign country
- japan 45 days
- lancer toothbrush
- bloc – synthetic z (alleviate pain/cancer cure
- smith DRAM
- tribell
- late IDS when client knew about prior art
- parking meter
- smith over jones appeal
- Larel Abbot Hardy
- Lots of Correction of Inventorship
- hairgel
- Titanium baseball (july 4th)
- 5 steps to cross road
- Supplemental Oath as amendment
- Jon to John (variation of which I think ADS was the answer)
Hope this helps, and I am also trying to sell my used PLI materials for pretty cheap. Let me know at oo7swoosh@gmail.com. Thanks!
Thanks, Tex, and Congratulations!
I am little confused over prior art date of declassifed material. There is a related quesion in 2002 October Morning session exam . Is the prior art date for 102(a) rejection different from 102(b) rejection for declassified material?
Here is my read on this.
For declassified material, the publication date is the date of release when the material was made available to the public. If the date of release was greater than 1 year prior to the patent application, then this would be classified as 102(b). If it was less than 1 year prior to patent application then this would be classified as 102(a) under the “described in a printed publication” part of 102(a).
However, there is another aspect of 102(a), which states that: USC102(a) the invention was KNOWN OR USED by others in this country, or patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country, before the invention thereof by the applicant for patent.
For the “known or used” part of 102(a) section 705.05(f) goes on to say:
MPEP 705.05(f): For the purpose of anticipation predicated upon prior knowledge under 35 U.S.C. 102(a) the above noted declassified material may be taken as prima facie evidence of such prior knowledge as of its PRINTING date [i.e. before it's release to the public which is the publication date] even though such material was classified at that time. When so used the material does not constitute an absolute statutory bar and its printing date may be antedated by an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131.
So if the declassified material was either printed or released to the public less than 1 year before the application–it will be cited as 102(a).
That’s exactly how I read it as well. It seems like one of those facts that they love to insert in the answer set to try and trip you up, or at least get you to waste your time searching for it.
Hi all, How much for the exam fee? $400 or $450.00. Thank you
So I had a question. Last month I submitted my registration paperwork to take the exam and am scheduled to take it on the 18th. I said that I had not had any traffic violations that were over $100 but just realized that I could have had one in 2002, which “may” have been over $100. The problem is that it is not on my driving record anywhere as if it was expunged by the state where I received the ticket. The application says that any change before registration requires the updating of the USPTO by the submission of another application with the updated material. Should I say anything even if I don’t have any evidence that I received the ticket?
Hi all,
I applied for the test over two weeks ago and I haven’t heard back and my check has not been cashed. Typically how long did the review process take internally at the PTO?
Maybe I’m just getting anxious, I really want to take the test.
Thanks,
Alex
Just wondering, did you happen to send a self-addressed post card to confirm that they received your materials?
Nope. I forgot, but still heard back from them in 2 weeks.
Alex,
I got my confirmation letter in two weeks and I used a credit card instead of checks. My credit card was charged within a week. However, I’ve heard the waiting time could be anywhere from a few weeks to over a month. So just sit back and relax.
I also got my confirmation letter in two weeks and I used a CC. A friend of mine got it after 6 weeks. So, it depends.
I have my test next week and I really wish it was sooner. Anybody else feel that way? Where you just want to get it over with.
I think I hear you. A three more weeks for me.
Good luck
thwalls, how do you find head hunters for patent agents? do they call you or something? I was a technical analyst for 1 and 1/2 years until I got a lay-off . my previous employer is still cutting on its number of patent lawyers lately..
anyways, i am preparing right now for state bar..(im a foreign grad from PI and hopefully I can get over with my jobless status soon)
thanks and good luck.. thanks again to mr. patentbar whoever he is.. i owe you a part of my being a patent agent right now
Passed last week. I used this site and patentbarquestions.com–thanks to all who have contributed to these sites. Before going into the exam, I felt confident (based on the experiences shared by many on this site) that I would get a fair number of repeat and/or recently reported questions, leaving me more time to search in the MPEP for answers to new questions. However, what I found is that concepts were repeated (going back all the way to the 2000 exams) in new forms of questions, but there were not as many actual repeat questions as I might have expected. Based on my experience, I would advise future test-takers to study the 2000-2003 past exams for concepts (noting the changes that have occurred in the MPEP), but not necessarily for actual repeat questions. I only got 2 repeats in the morning and at most 5 in the afternoon. I got virtually none of the major recently reported questions that many others have reported getting (i.e. titanium baseball, mirror, German/Swedish/Costa Rican inventors filing in the USRO, velcro, piecemeal, etc). I may have gotten 5-10 recently reported questions (i.e. investigating deceptive intent, documents and assignee not of record can sign, combinations/subcombinations, maintenance fee/1.377). Bottom line, I think that you cannot safely assume you’ll get many repeats and recently reported questions, but it’s still valuable to study and perhaps memorize the concepts from past questions. Good luck–the test is definitely passable.
Took the exam and passed. There are about 30 repeat questions either from old exams or new questions posted on this website. The sequence of the answers maybe different but the words are almost the same. Another 10 repeats are modifications. I do not have anything new to post here, the exam contains a lot of appeal and reissue, and several PCT. As posted here above, questions include Laurel Abbot and Hardy; ABCD/BCDE; Non-signing inventor (divisional reissue); 150 degree/300 degree material; Potter; Inert gas; New ground of rejection by board; Copper substrate; Smith/DRAM; black ink; Mirror; Hair gel; lip gloss; Japanese patent (PCT); piecemeal; several 102, 103; public access to certificate of reexamination; second appeal upon board; examples of on sale; MPEP2183 about element function, interchangeability.
This website is the most helpful for my preparation. I spent 2-3 hours every day on PLI material for 2 months (twice). Any other similar material should be fine to let you familiar with MPEP. Then I spent another one and half months working on old exams and reading mypatentbar.com, as well as reading several MPEP chapters. It would be better if I have 1 or 2 weeks more on this stage, so I did not have to review all the repeated questions the day before the exam, which made me tired. I used the cheat sheet from freepatentbar.com, so I can write down my comments on each answers with simple symbols, which helps be to make priority during review of questions, instead of just mark/unmark in the exam. The “find” function in MPEP in the exam is not good and it helps me with only a few questions that have exact citation from MPEP. During review, I first looked at the title in the beginning of the correct MPEP chapter, then went to the corresponding part of MPEP and browse several pages to find answers.
The most important to the exam: (1) old exams and new questions from this website; (2) read several MPEP chapters, 700, 2100, 1200, 1400, 1800, and maybe 600. It is better to read the study guide on this website together with the chapter.
Thanks again for patentbar’s nice work on building this website.
passed. Now plan on passing out. more later.
Here is what people can expect after passing the USPTO exam.
Exactly 1 week after I passed the exam, I received the official letter from the USPTO with a registration form and declaration for a patent agent (or patent attorney). I returned these notarized forms by express mail on the next business day. Almost exactly 4 weeks after the exam, my name was posted in the “official gazette”, for a period of about 3 weeks. Two business days after the official posting was over, I received my patent agent registration number. The total time from passing the exam to receiving the registration number was about 7 1/2 weeks.
Best of luck to everyone on this board.
Hi all, I just passed the exam today. I would like to thank whoever put this site together because this is the only study material I used. I did not spend a dime on anything else. I found this website about one month ago and was very glad I did. Thank you all and good luck to the ones about to take exames.
Good morning all,
I will taking the test on the 18th and I was wondering as I study, does the prometric version of the MPEP include the appendicies such as appendix L and R ?
Thanks,
I don’t remember if the appendices are available or not. The index is. I know that I passed without looking in them though (didn’t use them to study or during the exam).
Both appendices are available, just like every chapter of the MPEP. I relied on them more than the MPEP for studying but that was just the way I went with it.
Got a “Preliminary Pass” on my first attempt today. Thank you to all who support this website. It was instrumental to obtaining this result.
I was surprised as to how many non-repeat questions there were, but my advice is still to have down cold the 2002-2003 exam questions. These repeats will be your “anchors” that save time and boost confidence as you go.
I also observerd that the USPTO is getting more clever in how they construct their answers. In the old exam questions (especially those applicable to 2100), I would often search the appropriate MPEP chapter on the exact phrase in the answers. This would often take me right to the info needed for the answer. I noticed that in today’s exam, the answers were paraphrased a bit so that searching on them yielded no results.
Good luck to all.
Took and passed the exam today. I drove about 90 miles because the testing center near my home did not have any opening until the second half of July. The testing center is small but quiet. The staff was quite polite but they were firm about not bringing in anything to the testing room. Now onto the exam:
The exam is a lot hard than I thought. I spent about 3 and half months, part time, doing PLI twice and all the questions from 1997 to 2003. The real questions felt much more difficult. I could finish the 2002 or 2003 exam between 2 hours to 2 hour 15 minutes and get high 80 to 90. Today each session took me about 2 hour 30 minutes. There were about 8 PCT questions, two on how to correct a priority claim based on a foreign filing or national filing and two on 102(e) date. A general search of MPEP often yielded nothing because the answers were not straightforward from the MPEP, like before, anymore. Instead, they were paraphrased or added some words. For exam, the MPEP would say “claims” and there answer is word for word except it used “documents.” I felt like every single question I had to use elimination and often was down to two similar choices and must use my intelligence to choose one over the other. There was one question I could not find anything so I guessed purely, which never happened during prep. No easy questions like attorney ethics or multiple dependent claims.
There are a few repeated questions. That was the main reason I spent a lot more time. The ones I could remember are:
04-00-14(a) Practitioner Costello
Variant of 04-00-19(b)
variant of 10-01-11(a)
variant of 10-11-46(p)
variant of 10-02-5(p)
04-03-22(a)
04-03-30(a)
variant of 04-03-44(a)
04-03-50(p) 147 claim counting
10-03-07(a) compound Y
10-03-4(a) copper alloy
10-03-09(a) DRAM
Japan 45 days
Corporation has no duty to disclose.
Thanks everybody for help. I will post more if I could remember other questions.
I understand some of you took an exam starting at 8am or 9am. Did it finish after 8 hours since starting the exam i.e. 8am to 4pm, 9am to 5pm? I checkecd the availability at Prometric and the reserved time was 8 hours duration. However, isn’t it 7hours in total -the test time 3 hours for the first part of the exam, 1 hour break and 3 hours for the second part of the exam? I heard there would be questionair about the test site in the end but would it be finished probably about 10 mins?
I just took it (and passed) on yesterday. I my scheduled start time was 8AM, but I was able to start at around 7:30, shortly after I arrived. I was done by 3PM. The 7 hours is as you say (3/1/3), but there is 15 minutes of tutorial before the exam, and a few minutes of survey afterwards. So, probably not a bad idea to conservatively allot 8 hours.
Thanks for all the help I passed on the 2nd try. Repeat ?’s were all those mainly from Oct. 03 and I had several in the morning and afternoon session. IN addition there were some crazy scenarios like submitting a drawing in an IA with US as R/O and requirements for correcting a drawing that was fulling disclosed but sheet missing after 2 mos, GREAT WEBSITE THANKS!
Took the patent bar yesterday and passed on first try thanks in large part to this site. I also used the PLI materials and the index cards from the TAPRE course (which you can now purchase separately on their site).
I’ll post more on the repeat newer questions already listed on the site and the ones from old exams in those sections. I could not agree more with those previous posters who recommended having old test/repeat questions down cold. During the test it was extremely valuable to see a question I recognized and knew the answer for and being able to spend <30 seconds making sure the Q&A were the same and answering. I was unlucky and only had 15-20 repeat questions some posts I've read people had ~40 however each one I saw was free points and extra time.
I "took" the Oct 2002, April 2003 and October 2003 3 times and reviewed the listed repeat questions from those and the other listed exams on this site twice. After reviewing a few practice tests I recommend using one or two of the 50 questions sections you have not looked at and recreate an actual timed test scenario. There will be repeats from some of the previous tests you've already reviewed so it will be close to way the actual test will go. I practiced this way with the two sections from the October 2003 and it definitely helped me priorities the time I spent in the MPEP during the actual exam.
Be sure to review the Exam Questions and Concepts section as well. I had 15-20 of these questions on the test. Some don’t have the exact Q&A nailed down so be sure to investigate the relevant MPEP passages. This serves two purposes; you will get an idea of how you would answer this question before hand and if you have to go to the MPEP for the answer you will know exactly where to look.
Also, besides the usual 600, 700,1800, 2100 questions (600 was definitely the fewest from the group) I had a ton of 1200 Appeal and 1400 Correction of Patents questions, at least 10 from 1200 and maybe that many from 1400. It also seemed like there were more reexam questions that I was expecting 5+.
Can not locate the cheat sheet that everyone is referring to in the Freepatentbar website. Anyone have a copy and can email it to me? mrjazzitup@hotmail.com.
Thanks a million.
I am taking the exam tomorrow and just found the following link. For anyone who is wondering what the exam software is actually like, there is a tutorial here:
http://www.prometric.com/demos/uspto/starthere.htm
Took and passed today. I relied heavily on this site for my preparation. I printed flash cards of 2002-2003 repeats, and reviewed these until they became automatic. Despite reports here of the old repeats becoming rarer, I had a ton (seemingly close to 50%). There were also plenty of the “newer” repeats — like the mysterious mirror question, and several instances involving inventors of various nationalities wrongly trying to use the USPTO as their receiving office. If you are well drilled in these, you should have plenty of time to cull the MPEP for the less familiar, more challenging questions (I used a lot of this time to work through some 102(e) questions). For almost every question there is a line in the MPEP or the CFR exactly on point (even if these aren’t reproduced verbatim in the answer choices so much anymore).
As some here have noted, they appear to be testing the topics of appeal and PCT heavily recently. I also got a LOT of obviousness (103) questions, but this may be a fluke (anyone else?).
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this great site.
I also had a LOT of obviousness questions on 8/8/10.
Hi im selling my patent bar exam materials for $600 (+S&H). Please let me know if anyone is interested. the materials are current. includes lecture audio cds, study materials, workbook, exam software. email me at : ashwini.durve@gmail.com if u need more info.
Thanks!!
I passed the test today. Thanks to everyone for the contributions on the site. After reviewing my own materials, this website really put me over the edge to get prepared for the test. The “new” questions are invaluable and several came up on my test (“mirror”, “sweden and costa rica PCT”, japan pct) exactly as quoted.
I’m selling my patent materials for $200. I have two separate complete (and curent) crash courses including audio lectures and software. Please contact me at apbowling@gmail.com if you are interested. Thanks!
Hi,
I studied full time for 2 1/2 months using PLI and spent the last 2 weeks on this website. All the tips on this site was extremely helpful, especially the “new questions” tab that I discovered 2 days ago. So, before I head out for the evening and drink until I pass out, I thought I contribute to this site. Thank you guys!
I just got back from the exam and received a “Preliminary Pass”. I hope they’re not pulling my leg
Questions from the “Exams Questions and Concepts” tab
————————————————————————
Q2) Titanium Baseball
Q3) Mirror (Inherent Function)
Q5) Amending the Abstract – PCT
Q8) Missing Parts – PCT
Q13) International Search Reports – PCT
Q14) Costa Rica and Sweeden – PCT
Q17) Velcro (Trademarks in Claims)
Q26) Maintenance Fee ? How to correct a mistake that was applied to the wrong patent?
Q27) Reissue (variant of Tommie and Jo)
Q29) Death of inventor before application is filed
Q37) Terminal Disclaimer
Q38) Piecemeal
Q41) Documents Requiring Signatures
Q42) Missing parts in PCT Application (30 days)
Q63) TP Submissions
Q67) Obviousness
Questions from Previous Exams :
—————————————-
Tommie and Jo – Variant?
Bond 60%C or 60%D (4.00.27a)
Hair Gel (4.02.37p)
Parking Meter (10.03.28p)
3rd Party Submission – Japanese publication (10.03.10p)
Moondust (10.03.6p)
Five Steps to Cross a Road (10.03.23a)
Door Handle (10.03.24a)
Tribell (10.03.16a)
Bloc; Synthetic Z (10.03.7a)
147 Claim Counting (10.03.50a/4.03.28p)
** I’m sure there were more, just make sure you review ALL of the previous exams..
Comments
————–
-The PM section was much harder than the AM portion. Halfway through the PM section I started to feel discouraged and started doubting myself. I just took a deep breath and fought thru til the end !
-As noted from other posts, my exam was also heavily tested on Appeals & PCT
-Received an Ex Parte / Inter Parte Rexam question that I’ve never seen before
-Had an ownership question that went something like this.. T & J assigned 40% of the rights to XYZ company and 40% to ABC company. Who should sign the request for a Reissue (or was it RE-EXAM?)
-Ran into a lot of questions that I didn’t really know, I had to hussle and use the full time to look up all the the remaining questions in the MPEP
Congrats Reggae!
It sounds like we had similar tests, but looks like you got a few more repeats than I had.
——————————
Comments
————–
-The PM section was much harder than the AM portion. Halfway through the PM section I started to feel discouraged and started doubting myself. I just took a deep breath and fought thru til the end !
-As noted from other posts, my exam was also heavily tested on Appeals & PCT
-Received an Ex Parte / Inter Parte Rexam question that I’ve never seen before
-Had an ownership question that went something like this.. T & J assigned 40% of the rights to XYZ company and 40% to ABC company. Who should sign the request for a Reissue (or was it RE-EXAM?)
-Ran into a lot of questions that I didn’t really know, I had to hussle and use the full time to look up all the the remaining questions in the MPEP
————————————–
My a.m. section was WAAAY harder than my p.m. section. I had the same T&J assignment question. What did you put for the answer. I think I said T&J, and ABC and XYZ all had to sign. Not sure…still aren’t sure.
I also had a question about Ex-Parte Re-exam and asking for a re-exam within 6 years of the expiration of the patent.
Congrats Reggae! I’m taking my exam the 16th, hopefully I have the same success.
Anyone who knows time span of sending copy of Patent Agent Certificate after passing USPTO Patent Bar? I have my registration number already from USPTO website; however, I have yet to receive the copy of my registration number.
Thanks! Good luck to future examinees!
Just passed today. Thought i would give some feedback since i used this site so much.
Studied for 3 weeks. Did the 2002, 2003 practice tests once. Felt very uncertain about passing.
The morning session was ridiculously difficult. Lots of topics i have little experience with. Lots of long winded questions. I ended up making educated guesses for the last 7 or 8 since i was running low on time. Second half was much easier and had a lot of repeats.
The adobe at the testing service (Atlanta) sucks dick. It was slow, hard to navigate and the search function kept searching from the top of the section. Very frustrating.
Looking back, i would have definitely studied more if i had time. I decided kind of last minute to use the patent exam to help build my grad school profile, so did not have much time to get the exam done. You should definitely go over the practice exams multiple times. In addition, the tested concepts were all over the place.
Good luck to you guys!
I also found the morning session to be difficult. During lunch I thought I pretty much have to get every question in the afternoon right in order to pass. To my surprise I passed.
Last I took the bar, a year ago, I got a 68%. I was encouraged because I knew I hadn’t studied enough. I took it again last Firday (Aug 20.) This time I memorized all the questions on the 2003 and 2002 exams. I learned so much more than I knew for the last exam.
But after an hour on the Aug 20 exam, I knew I was in trouble. There were no repeat questions, and few questions that required analysis. Most required me to look up some minute bureaucratic detail. The second half had some repeat questions, but not many. I got a 64%.
What do I do? Should I memorize the questions on this page? Some of them were on the test, so I suppose that wolud help. What seems most important is the ability to search thru the big MPEP for the answers, using a “one page at a time” PDF browser with a primitive search function. But nobody teaches that skill, and I can’t develop it on my own because I don’t have any more practice tests to work with.
Did I just get a bad exam? Are the pass rates published? Is the USPTO cracking down because there are too many registrations?
Any suggestions would be helpful.
One guy said you have to devote a month of your life to this project. Perhaps I tried a shortcut.
Dave G…I took the test on August 17th and also finished with a 68%. I was bummed at first, but then thought to myself that I have gone from relative newbie to getting a 68% on one of the toughest exams out there. I was pretty encouraged. I was further bummed to read through this website and see about 4 or 5 questions that were ‘repeats’ on my exam that I didn’t know about. I think I was 1 or 2 questions away from passing and the exam questions from this site could have helped push me over the top.
I agree that the exam was very difficult and required a LOT of searching in the MPEP. For me, the morning section was almost impossible. I had only seen about 2 or 3 of the questions before anywhere and the questions that were on the morning section were of a calibre that I had never seen before. On a handful of the questions I wasn’t exactly sure what the question was asking…at all?! I am hoping those were the Beta questions because they were pretty much unfair and entirely irrelevant.
I think that expecting to put in one month’s worth of studying and expecting to pass is pretty foolish, unless you have a strong background in the Patent industry. As for me, being a relative new-comer to this endeavor I think 3-4 months worth of studying is more reasonable.
Dave, I feel your pain. I ended up with a 67 this time around. I was totally shocked when I saw I didn’t pass. I got a 65 last time and didn’t know half as much as I knew this time.
I had many questions about tiny ridiculous details. Ironically enough I thought I found the exact sections that the test was referring to because it had the same phrase as the question/answer but evidently I was wrong.
Goodluck brother, hopefully 3rd time is the charm for both of us. I’m going to try to take it again as soon as possible.
How big is the monitor?
Mine was about 17 – 19 inches, flat panel LCD. Optical mouse with roller ball.
CTRL + F doesn’t work, you have to click “Find” in reader.
I have graduated from foreign university and I have only one original copy of the transcript. If I submit the original transcript to apply for patent bar exam, do they return back the transcript ? Any suggeastions ??
Yes, I submitted my original transcripts, with return envelop + postage, with my application. After reviewing and granting my application, USPTO returned my transcripts.
Taking the exam in a little less than a month, question for anyone who has taken the exam about the ‘find’ function – apologies if this has been answered elsewhere, I wasn’t able to find it after a quick search.
Can you search for words near each other?
and also can you search multiple words together in quotes or something?
any other search functions we should know?? THANKS
Nope. Only can search exact words/phrases.
Took the exam yesterday and passed. Do you ever find out your actual results? Lot’s of PCT on my exam.
Passed the test yesterday on my first try! There were a ton of PCT and appeals questions, and not as may repeats as I thought there would be (maybe only around 20 or so). I also found the morning session to be much more difficult. I was asked a variation of the same PCT question about 4-5 times; it involved what happens when an applicant files an international application in a non-competent receiving office (i.e., an office where they do not have citizenship). The correct answer is the application still gets an international filing date as of the date received in the non-competent office, and the application gets forwarded to the IB for further processing.
As for more general advice, I spent about 150 hours studying over the span of 2 months (I used PATBAR, which I think has a GREAT system, and is about middle-of the-road in terms of cost). I had no prior patent experience at all (although I am a second-year law student, which may have helped minimally). I think anything over 150 hours might be a little bit of overkill, provided you are studying properly.
I spent about 75 hours going over all the MPEP topics once, and then going over practice exams the rest of the time. Focus your studying on 600, 700 and 2100 and pay added attention to appeals, PCT and reissue/reexamination. Memorize 35 USC 102 and know how to apply it backwards and forwards.
I was able to break down the questions into three categories: repeats, questions you can find easily in the MPEP, and questions that are very difficult to look up and almost impossible to answer. If you know the 01-03 exams down cold, that’s 20-30 questions right there that you can put in your back pocket. As for the remaining 70-80 questions, I’d estimate there are only 10-15 that I’d put in the impossible/very difficult category. Remember that all the questions are worth the same, so don’t bog yourself down and spend too much time on the impossible ones! Make your best guess and move on.
Practice exams should be taken in 50 question blocks. You should aim to try to answer all the questions without looking in the MPEP in about 1.5 hours. This will give you 1.5 hours to look up the questions that you were unsure of/weren’t repeats. You should be ready to take the test when you are scoring 80-85% on the practice exams under timed conditions.
Most of all, when you are taking the exam have confidence in yourself! Remember that around 1/3 of the questions are repeats and tell yourself that you are sure those answers are correct. You should then be able to look up most of the remaining answers easily. Don’t sweat the 5-10 questions that seem impossible to find or answer, and confidently knock out the 80% of the test that are either repeats or easily found in the MPEP. You should then have some extra time at the end to scour the MPEP for the more difficult ones. Use all 3 hours you are given for each section!
My only advice for the test center experience is to not drink alot of fluids if you are like me and have a small bladder. You are allowed to use the bathroom but it takes a fair amount of time to leave and check back into the room since Prometric uses a fingerprint scan ID. Having to go will likely cost you 5-10 valuable minutes.
Good luck, and remember, never give up!
I’m an alien with US residency. I got biology degree in my country and now I’m working in biological field in US. I’m interested in taking patent bar of USPTO, but wondering whether I’m eligible to take the exam. I have a transcript of degree from a foregin university, but is there any other requirements?
Thanks so much, Eri
JUST PASSED….
got home….this is my report…(ll make a longer one later).
The exam was easy going. About 30 minute in..i knew i was going to pass. Why?
Because THIS SITE. No kidding.
got the guarenteed formula for passing.
1. Know 2000-2003 tests in and out. Know the right answers..but also know why the wrong answers are wrong.
2. Memorize everything on this site.
a. Go though “Exam Questions & Concepts”..and create an outline for all the probs you only sorta understand.
b. Then go through this sites Forums and get all the reported problems that commenters leave under “Prometric Patent Bar” (there were like 6 problems from the forums i saw on their today). and also, if you have time go through the forum comments of “Exam Questions & Concepts”…
i. Be creating Rules of Law for all the ones you dont get…like “Rule: you can’t do this before you do so and so”…simple sentences.
Thaaaaats it.
As for general info..I saw about 10-15 repeats..not too many. But i was blown away how many answres I already knew from this site. . .
I got done with each section in about two hours, and had ample time to go back and double check and change ones i missed the first time.
USE Process of Elimination…write down A, B, C, D, E vertically and cross them off or put a question mark by the ones your not sure. .. I didnt do it for all the questions…about 20 per test…..you start getting fuzzy from exhaustion about halfway through each section. …this will keep you on track.
anyways….ill coment more on stuff later…but yeah..everything here is ON THERE.
Recently passed the bar exam. Here’s what I can tell you:
- Inventors are reportedly dying left and right these days. Note to would be inventors: Don’t file for a patent. You’ll probably die.
- Apparently the BPAI has taken to issuing all kinds of new grounds of rejections. As far as I can tell, it must now be their primary function.
- People do not learn from their mistakes! That’s right, the same cast of characters keep waltzing in with a nearly, but not quite, identical problems. Hey, Bloc, didn’t you learn your lesson last time? Are you retarded or something?
- If the term “US/RO” looks funny to you, it won’t after you take the exam.
I will follow up with a post in more detail later but wanted to share initial thoughts about exam. I just took and passed the exam today and want to stress the importance of repeat questions. I estimate my exam had 15-20 word-for-word repeats from old tests. My strategy for studying was the following: made a somewhat detailed outline of the MPEP (emphasis on important sections – 700, 2100, 1800 etc) and hammered a ton of review questions, i only did the past exam questions from this website that had indicated they were repeats. I knew those questions cold, i could answer based on the answer choices. I also went over the section on with the repeat questions not on past exams (lipgloss problem, inherent function mirror problem, spanish phone [all 3 on exam]) and drew up a strategy if i had these questions.
Test is pass-able, study this website, know past exams and be able to identify which section in the MPEP the question is asking without having to search the index over and over.
please feel free to email me with any questions or if you want to make a donation and receive my outline
damienjogensen@gmail.com
I got a test question involving the filing of a provisional application where soon after the applicant realized they left out figure 3 of the app. The question asks what is the best method to ensure figure 3 is included and the application is complete (something of that nature).
one answer choice was file another provisional app with figure 3 include (my selection). Other choices involved various amendments and whatnot….
if I failed in the exam the first time, for how long shall I wait to take the second time?
Thanks
60 days – it says on the exam result.
You only have to wait 30 days, re-apply right away to get your new exam window.
I failed too. I am concerned about the scope of the exam will change effective from April 2011. Anyone heard about that and will the questions change a lot?
Yes questions will change. Contact PTO for list of changes.
LM- No, you have to wait 30 days actually.
Is it just me or do the PLI materials truly suck? Poorly organized and formatted, and so many typos. Anyone happy with their non-PLI system?
I have been using the Longacre book ($20 on Amazon), this website and the old exams posted on the USPTO website and think the combination is pretty extensive. I take the test on Thursday, so I will find out if this method actually works.
* Comprehensive, not extensive. My brain hurts from studying.
Can someone who’s taken the Prometric exam tell me exactly how the time is measured? Specifically, PLI’s Patware has a clock that measures time spent on the current question. Does Prometric have a similar clock for measuring time on the current problem?
Steve: there is a stopwatch-ish clock in the upper corner that counts down minutes:seconds. When you get done with the instructions and indicate you are ready to start, it starts with 3:00:00, and proceeds until 0. PS: CANNOT take a watch in.
Thanks for the info, but damn, thats disappointing as I’ve relied at least in part on knowing exactly how much time i’ve spent of my current question. I should tell PLI not to mislead people like that.
well all you really have to do is keep an eye on it, and know that counting downward, you should be at certain points at certain times (ex. on question 24 at 1 hour and 30 minutes, in the least, for example).
On the Thomson Prometric website there is a tutorial of their testing software. The tutorial allows you to click on the words of answer choices to strike through them. But nobody in this forum seems to mention this for the test. Does the actual test let you do this? And, if so, do the strike-outs stay there even when you leave a question and later come back to it?
Thanks.
H- No it does not allow strikeouts. Basically, you can mark an answer, and then mark it “MARK” so that you can go back and check all of your “marked” ones. If you do not UNMARK it doesn’t matter, it goes with what answer you have provided.
Hey everyone,
Just passed the exam and thought that I would share some thoughts on strategy. This worked well for me, and it might work well for you:
1. Create an answer sheet during the tutorial time (as others have suggested).
2. Answer all questions WITHOUT looking any up– think them through, but don’t look them up.
2a. If you are confident you got the answer right: just write in the letter on your sheet and don’t mark it.
2b. If you are pretty sure, but not positive you got the answer right: put one slash (e.g., ” – “) next to the question number and mark it in the software.
2c. If you don’t think you got it right, or if you know it is one choice or another: put two slashes (e.g., ” = “) next to the question number and mark it.
2d. If you have no idea what the answer is, put three slashes next to the question number and mark it.
3. After you have gone through and answered ALL of the questions once through, look at your answer sheet and revisit the questions you marked in the following order: three slashes first, then two slashes, then one slash.
Again, some may disagree, but this method worked for me and has a few advantages: 1) In the event you run out of time later on, at the very least you have already gone through and answered every question with your best guess. 2) By prioritizing your look-ups based on how little confidence you had in your answer (i.e., starting with 3 slash questions and working to 1 slash), you address the questions which need your attention most, and if you run out of time, the ones you didn’t get to look up will be the questions and answers which you were more confident about. 3) (closely related to reason 2) by answering all of the questions first without looking them up and then prioritizing and going back to look up, you prevent yourself from wasting valuable time double checking answers that you probably don’t have to… and if you do have time to go back and double check the one slash questions, then great…
Hope this helps.
Good luck to everyone.
For clarity I should add to the above that when I say answer all of the questions first without looking them up, I mean actually enter the answer into the software.
… And by “mark it,” I mean mark it for review in the software.
Sorry for the piecemeal post, but a few other things: I shot for about 1 hour to one hour 15 minutes (during practice tests) to answer all questions without looking them up. One the real test, I did it in about 1 hour 30 minutes.
An additional advantage to this method is that when you go back to start looking up answers, your flow isn’t interrupted by reading new questions–in other words, you are working uninterrupted in looking up answers and I found I was more efficient when I worked this way.
Promise this is the last post! Best of luck.
Here is another advantage to JustPassed’s approach. If you blow through the questions, when you go back to do lookups, you can hit all the questions in a particular area at the same time. This saves a lot of time fumbling through the MPEP in two ways. First, you will pass by things as you navigate that are questions in your lookup list. You can knock them out when you see them. Second, if you have a flood of questions in a particular area (for me it was Board’s New Rejection questions), you can hit them at the same time. This wasn’t my planned approach, but once I got into the test, it became obvious.
Did anyone take exam today? Please keep us posted. I am planning to take on the memorial day break….
Following the earlier threads about the new exam. If someone can point out what the KRS, bilski changes were and if the number of repeats dropped, or more emphasis was on a a few select topics – it would be extremely helpful for us future test takers. Planning to take mine in June.
Does anyone know if on the actual exam you can search a term in the entire appendix R using the find function or do you have to go into each section and do it that way? Thanks!
Hey everyone!
I’ll be taking the test in a month or so, and this site is amazing. I just wanted to ask everyone that if you see a question in the comments from 2009 that was never answered, please answer it, even though its 2 years later! The new people that look at this site (like me) are reading through all these comments and a lot of good questions were never answered. So if you’re reading along and know the answer, do us all a favor and post a reply.
Also, a lot of people referenced an outline that was removed from the website. Does anyone know why? I’ve started making my own, but its going to be LONG, doesn’t really feel like an outline.
Yes, very interested in an outline!
Another tip I’ve found helpful when taking my practice exams:
I noticed initially I would get questions wrong because I read the call of the question wrong. I knew the concept, but just answered in the opposite. Now on my written answer choice sheet, when I notice the call of the question is something like “FALSE according to MPEP” or “NOT true” or “all of the following EXCEPT”, etc, I write the word CALL next to the question before I even look at the answer choices. That puts it into my head to look for the right answer.
Then, at the end of the test, when you have extra time to check over the questions, I look at these questions I marked as CALL to ensure that the answer I put down fits the call of the question. I seriously raised my practice exam score by 10% just because doing this forced me to slow down and recheck any tricky questions.
Alexia, you can search the entire Apendix R.
Just received a prelim pass report. A few things about the test and center:
-Not allowed to access electronic devices.
-Not allowed to leave the testing center outer office except to go to the bathroom.
-Not allowed to go to your car, and you have to leave study materials in your car.
That made my hour break VERY boring and I ended up only using 20 minutes of it. I REGRET it because I started to fade about halfway through the afternoon session, and had to take a break during my timed session to drink an energy drink in my locker.
I am about to take the test for the second time and reading comments concerning the testing center (Sarah, JustPassed), my experience was different.
Concerning Sarah’s post, I was able to access everything in my locker on break and leave the building for lunch. I didn’t look at my notes during break, but I presume I could have if I wanted to.
As far as making a list of the question numbers during the tutorial, I began to do that but was stopped by the supervisor and told I couldn’t write anything down before beginning the test clock.
Just a heads up that apparently some testing centers will be different from others.
Hi, everyone.
I passed the patent bar early May.
Unfortunately I paid too much concentration, I do not remember much of the exam.
If you would like to buy used test material for bargained price, let me know.
Patbar material. for 150.
Does this material include the April changes?
My experience of the test, which I think is important to pass on is:
1. Although I was scheduled to begin at 8 am, the exam actually started earlier. I checked in at the front desk, put all my stuff in a locker and waited. The security guard called me to sign in again around 7:35 am, took my picture, verified my driver’s license, had me sign in, checked my pockets and then took me to my assigned “booth” and let me take the tutorial. AS SOON AS THE TUTORIAL IS COMPLETED, THE PROGRAM BEGINS THE EXAM. I was shocked and surprised and worried, but the guard came back and said it was ok to begin the exam. I was a little unprepared mentally because I thought I had another 20 minutes until the exam began (at 8 am), but I took the advice of others and wrote down all the chapter titles, and doing that settled me down, and helped me focus and get into it.
2. RE: Lunch break. Yes, it is for one hour, but know that the hour is also counted down in the program. The program does not pause for your break and then restart. When you begin the test, it counts down the first three hours in the upper right hand corner. Then it closes the screen and notifies you that you time is up, AND THEN IT COUNTS DOWN 60 MINUTES. When those 60 minutes are complete, the program opens up the second half and starts counting down another 3 hours, regardless of whether or not you are in your seat. I was allowed to leave and eat. I came back, signed in, showed my empty pockets, waited to be escorted to my seat, sat down and looked at the screen with just 1 minute and 23 seconds before the end of the countdown of the break. Whew!
3. My facility would not let me bring in my analog watch. I had to leave it in the locker. I only had my locker key and my driver’s license with me. They gave me pencil and paper.
4. The facility performs a lot of other exams. I was the only one there that day doing the patent exam that I know of, most of everyone else was doing some kind of medical certification exam.
5. At the end of the exam, there was a short survey about the facility, and then it gave me my score. I waited to be escorted out, and then they also print out the results, stamp it, and give it to you.
I passed the Patent Bar on my first try this past weekend!
Going into the test I had all intentions of remembering difficult questions so that I could report back to this website to help, however once the test got going I couldn’t remember anything. However, I can say that the test was very difficult. I had fewer than 10 repeat questions. I had several KSR, Bilski, 112 new questions. Here’s my Patent Bar study/exam experience breakdown:
My Study Technique:
I took the PLI home study course. I studied 12 hours a day for about 4 weeks. I took the first two weeks to get through the PLI lectures and quizes. From my understanding of the PLI Course, the course only requires the student to listen to the lectures and answer the questions. I not only listened to the lectures but I took extremely detailed notes, made flashcards, and took daily quizzes by chapter on the Patware program. I believe this additional studying really helped. The last two weeks I took exams. I cannot stress how important it is to take the exams. I took the exams over and over and over again until I was getting 100%. It is not just that I had the questions memorized but I studied the questions until I understood the reasoning behind the wrong and right answers. I do believe the PLI course prepared me quite well, however just doing the practice test repeatedly is what allowed me to pass. My first practice test after finishing the PLI lectures I made 78%. If that had been the real exam, I would have passed. So, kudos to PLI.
Testing Center:
I had a great testing center. The person running the testing center was very organized and attentive. I was the only person taking the patent bar that day. Everyone else was taking the USMLE Step 1 exam. I was given scratch paper and two pencils for the exam.
My Test Strategy:
During the tutorial I made a chart with the letters ABCDE across the top and numbered 1-50 down the page. Also, I marked at questions 20 and 40 how much time I should have left at those questions. This kept me on track so that I did not spend too much time on a question and run out of time. Another thing I did was I put a check mark next to questions that I knew I got correct. I knew which ones I had correct because the question was a repeat question or I found the material in the MPEP (or of course, I just knew). This helped my nerves because there were so many questions that I just did not feel comfortable with. By the end of the test I counted about 40 questions I knew I had gotten correct. I handled each question as it came. I know some people go through the test answering the questions they know first and then go back to the questions they didn’t know. This strategy did not work for me. If I had used this strategy, there would have been a ton of questions I would have needed to come back to.
The Exam:
I don’t mean to scare people, but I have to be honest. In my opinion, this test was a lot harder than the old exams. Perhaps it is just because I studied the old exams so much that I thought they were easy, but I definitely feel that the questions required a higher level of understanding/analysis.
Questions:
I had 7-8 PCT questions. No claim counting questions. 5-7 KSR, Bilski,112 questions. 5-7 Appeal questions. Maybe 10 repeat questions. None of the questions had answers that were verbatim in the MPEP. For several questions I found myself reading a couple pages to find the correct answer. I had several tiered questions that had options I,II,III, IV,and V and then a combination of those for answers ABCDE.
Despite how difficult the exam was, it was still passable. So, for those of you still studying, be strong and continue your efforts. Best of luck!
Do you have your PLI material? Does it include the new April changes? Are you willing to sell?
Thanks!
Took the test and passed on the first try this week.
Thank you to all the people on this website that have posted.
My advice read the recent questions. I am posting on the other sections of this website.I used PLI (selling on eBay currently), USPTO tests from 1999-2003 and this website. On the MPEP, I read chapters 700, 2100 in-depth and skimmed through 600, 1800, 1200 and 200.
The prometric site is very professional, quiet and clean.
No problems checking. I set my time to start at 2 PM – that was my preference. But I showed up at 1 PM and they were ready to seat me. That was great.
I had spent time in the days before testing the prometric software on the website, so I didn’t waste any time looking at in during the tutorial. Its quite straightforward really.
The only thing I didn’t like about the software was that after you were done, if you were reviewing (either marked or unanswered) questions, you could not go back to the previous question. This option shows up only when you choose the Review All question.
The clock doesn’t stop once you finish the morning session. A fresh 60 min timer begins. I didn’t take a long break, just ate a sandwich and drank some water, stretched my legs and used the restroom and was good to go in 40 mins. I suggest staying away from caffeine and other energy drinks, except for the tea or coffee that you might normally drink in the morning. Because, the when I started the test, my heart was beating fast, and you are intensely focused on the test – you really don’t need to stay away. Believe me you will feel jittery enough without any help from caffeine.
So I spent the first 15 minutes (during the tutorial) making my answer grid – with choices ABCDE. I wrote down the grid for both the morning and afternoon. Alternatively, I realized that if you took a shorter lunch break – you could use the spare time then to make your grid. In addition I had practiced with the following method to form a columnar grid
Q.No A B C D E T/F CHPT NOTES
I would make a square around any unanswered/for review question (and strike through that once I was done) and note the call of the question (where applicable) in the T/F column. The chapter column helped me answer all the questions from that chapter together, so I could look it up.
My method was to make 3 passes. In the first pass – I did only the short questions and/or obvious repeats to which I knew the answers. If the choices were lengthy, or the question was filled with fact patterns, I would note the chapter and the call of the question plus and notes and move on. In the second pass, I would hit up all the unanswered questions, with all the questions from similar chapters all together. In the first and second pass I would mark the questions for review and do that in my third pass.
When I was practicing, this was really hard, but later on and especially on test day – by the third pass I knew I was pretty confident about all the answers – I would spend 1 hour on my first pass – that way it would give me a good idea about how the test was structured, 1-1.5 hours on the second pass, and any left over time to review the test.
Good luck guys – don’t forget that preparation is the key, read the questions on this website, do the practice tests and get your basics about the MPEP straight.
I passed the exam last week, and just wanted to say many thanks indeed to this site and all the people who have posted on it. I don’t think I’ll be much help on what questions were asked- it was a serious blur, but here are some insights:
Unfortunately, when people walked past, (which occured frequently, as there were a lot of different exams going on) the monitor and my chair would ‘jiggle’. I would say get to know Adobe 5 if you think the change will be an issue. It took me a minute to get used to the search feature.
1- I studied using the Bullseye Patent Materials (which I highly recommend), The Ultimate PAtent Bar Exam Study Guide (a great introduction, but a little out of date, as it doesn’t concentrate on PCT) and ofcourse this site.
2- The Prometric center (San Jose) was OK. The staff were nice and my chair was comfortable
3- I remember only a few repeat verbatim questions. There were a lot that were variants that needed some thought. Only a couple of questions on the new materials, and they were very easily searchable (verbatim in the materials). I don’t seem to remember too many PCT questions, but quite a few appeals.
4- I didn’t really have an answer marking strategy- I just marked all the ones I was unsure of, and came back at the end. On both papers, I had 45 mins for review. I guess do what makes sense to you, and practice in an exam situation a couple of times.
5- Looking back, I would say absolutely study the repeat questions, but know inside and out why the answers are what they are. It makes you go to the MPEP and get to know it. Really this test is about learning your way around the MPEP and it’s nuances.
Good luck to everyone!
Passed today. As other posters have mentioned, this site was a huge help. And as one poster mentioned, it’s important to pass on the goodwill.
Do the questions. Going through old exam questions ad nauseam makes the actual exam almost routine.
My suggestion for reading comments on old and repeat questions is to read the question at the top of the page, work through what you think the answer would be, then scroll down to the very bottom and start reading there. That is, read from the bottom up. While certainly not a foolproof method, it helped me to avoid reading comments that–while well-intentioned–might be considered misinformation.
I used materials from BARBRI Patent Bar, which almost no one on this site uses. BARBRI no longer offers the course or materials, but I had the materials already so I used them.
Good luck to all.
Passed today.
I just wanted to say lots of thanks indeed to all the people who have posted on it. This site gave me huge help.
Took the test today and passed. Thanks to all the people who have posted here. This website is definitely a game changer. I saw many repeats from past exams and also from the “Exam Questions and Concepts” section on this website. In preparing for the exam, I used the Bullseye materials together with an old copy of the PLI course I bought on eBay. I had no previous patent or patent law experience. I went through the PLI course in a couple weeks, and then drilled questions daily for about a month. I would go through the Bullseye outline just to get a quick overview of the MPEP chapters and their contents. The only portions of the MPEP that I read were 1801, to get a grasp of the PCT process, and the 102(e) examples in 700 (706.02(f)(1)). When I drilled questions, in addition to trying to memorize repeats, I would also look up every answer, right and wrong, just to see where it was in the MPEP. I think the most important thing is the get familiar with the MPEP and where you should look to find answers because you will get a lot of questions that you won’t feel 100% confident with and will want to look them up. During the tutorial, I made an answer grid to keep track of my answers for both the AM and PM sessions. I marked on the grid at certain questions how much time should be left when I got to that question, just to keep me on pace. I just started with #1 and went sequentially through the test.
I had about 25-30 repeats or slight variants from previous exams and this website. A majority of the other questions tested the same material as the previous exams, so it is crucial to go through the old exams (2002-2003) at least 3 times. My test seemed to be all over the place. I only saw a few questions regarding the new material, a handful of PCT, and probably 8-10 appeal-related questions. If you study consistently and go through all the questions on this website (including the comments) and the past exams, the test will seem fairly easy. I had about 30-45 minutes at the end of each section to review.
Thanks again and good luck to future takers!
1. are you going to sit on the same computer when you come back after lunch?
2. will they new scratch paper and take away the morning ones?
I wonder if I make answer sheet in the morning, whether or not they will take it away in the PM session.
I took my exam on 10/3.
1. are you going to sit on the same computer when you come back after lunch?
Yes. Once the first section ends, the break timer begins, and you can just stand up and exit the room (to security). The timer can be ended early if you choose (I actually only took about 40 minutes for my break).
2. will they new scratch paper and take away the morning ones?
What I did was I took my scratch paper out to security after the first section, and then got new scratch paper when I checked in for my second section. Ultimately, you can’t take anything in or out of the test room (except ID and locker key). I wondered about whether I could have left my old scratch paper in the testing area after the first section. Unfortunately, someone else will probably have to answer the question of whether or not they require you to hand over your first book of scratch paper after you finish your first section.
I took the exam yesterday and passed. Lots of repeats you can find on this site – very helpful! And you can easily search other questions. However, my new guidlines are not searchable but only a couple of questions are related to that. For exmaple, one statement said “Machine or transformation is the sole test…,” and another statement said “A claim of a mere business method is not patentable under 101.”
By the way, could you please tell me how long does it take to get the formal notice from USPTO? Thanks!
I have another question about “limited recognition.” I am working on H-1B working visa so even I passed the exam, I will get “limited recognition” to “prosecute as attorney or agent a specified patent application or specified patent applications” per rule 11.9. How does this work? Can I sign papers now? How do I specify patent matters I am working? If any people have similar experiences, your input will be much appreciated.
I am not a permanent resident of US.
After taking exam in US, I have to move to another contry.
In this case, when I fail my exam, can I try the exam again?
So, is it possible to travel to US to take the exam?
What a great website! Thanks to everyone who has posted info here. I took the test yesterday and passed!
One thing I was concerned about going into the exam was searching the MPEP as I never tried the practice exams with Acrobat reader 5 as many suggested. I was also concerned about the ability to switch back and fourth between the exam and reference materials. I found that neither were issues at all. I found that if I closed the MPEP window and then reopened it, it was right at the exact section I left it.
The first thing I did when I sat down to the 15 minute tutorial was to make an A-B-C-D-E x 1-50 matrix for both sessions which took me about 5 minutes. The tutorial took me about 3 minutes so no problems there. I would highly recommend using the matrix to document all your answers as well as eliminated answers as I was shocked to find at the end of the both sessions I had not filled in the answers to about three questions. It was easy enough to go back and fill in the answer from my matrix versus re-answering the questions.
Best of luck to future test takers!
Finished the exam about an hour ago. I failed. Hard. With only a 50% score.
It seem I should have gone with this website’s recommendations. As I was an examiner I figured the material I had from the Patent Training Academy would be sufficient.
It could just be my imagination but it seemed like half the test was on Appeals.
Guess I’ll have to spend even more time and money on this exam.
Weird that searching the Appendix R Patent Rules using numbers “i.e. 1.105 (2)(b)” is very ineffective. You must use words to search it well.
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/index.htm
I passed the exam on 11/13/11. Even after being accustomed to taking electronic practice tests, the experience was far more grueling than I had anticipated. To make matters worse, I had something urgent come up the night before, which didn’t leave me with very much sleep. But somehow, it worked out and the feeling is just great.
I am very grateful for this site and to everyone that has posted their studying tips and comments regarding repeat questions. Without such a support base, I don’t think I could have passed on my first try. I feel obligated to give back in some way, so I will talk about how I prepared hopefully offer some of my own tips. I’m sure that many things I say below have already been suggested above in this thread, but you can be sure that the following suggestions and strategies worked for at least one person.
As a broke grad student, I was not willing to fork over more than a month’s salary for the PLI course. Furthermore, I was not exactly convinced that I needed this course, even after all of the talk about the changes for the worse in the exam since April 2011. So I decided to put together my own poor man’s study course over the months of June through October. It consisted of the following materials:
1) Longacre Patent Guide to the MPEP (about $70 on Amazon). While the reviews are not impressive, I actually enjoyed this guide very much. I read it through twice, and then read the part about chapter 2100 over again right before the test. The author does an excellent job of pointing out the relevant sections of the MPEP that should be studied, and emphasizes the points that would likely be covered on the test. After my first read-through of this book, I read it again while simultaneously reading through the relevant parts of the MPEP (although sometimes I skimmed. I felt the most critical chapters to read are 700, 1400, 1800 and 2100). My only complaint is that Longacre’s guide is not entirely thorough when it comes to appeal. I had a ton of appeal questions on test day, for which I had to rely a lot on the electronic MPEP.
2) CATPrep software (http://www.catprep.com/exams/patent-bar/index.html). This is a very nice software package that electronically simulates the old tests. For $30, you get 9 of the most recent tests (1999-2003). I am very glad I used this software rather than solely working out questions on paper, since it gave me a “comfort edge” on test day.
3) Read a book on patent law. In particular, read one of Janice Mueller’s books on patent law. I read “Introduction to Patent Law” prior to doing any serious studying. After going through the Longacre guide the first time, I decided to re-read the book to pick up on things that didn’t sink in the first time. It’s a very well-written book, especially for someone like me who didn’t know the first thing about patent law when I started studying.
Other tips:
1) Know where everything is in the MPEP. By your second time through the study guide, you should be able to read a practice question and know (or have a good idea of) exactly which chapter it will be in the MPEP. For example, most questions that recite an examiner making a rejection should immediately suggest chapter 700.
2) Become a master searcher. Once you know where things are, you need to know exactly what to search for. Practice exam questions by not only memorizing the answers, but also locating strings of words or obscure words in each question and search for them in the relevant chapter. For example, if something sounds like legal jargon, chances are it is taken word-for-word from the MPEP. Also, anything that pertains to patentability will be lifted almost or exactly word-for-word from 2100. Being skillful at searching is absolutely critical, as you will need every minute on test day. The faster you can search and find, the more sure you can be of your answers and move on.
3) PRACTICE ALL THE TESTS! Take every test electronically. Go through and review your answers. Know why you got some wrong by reading the relevant parts of the MPEP. Make flash cards of the answers you got wrong.
4) Review and try to memorize the repeat questions on this site. You will be surprised at how many you see on test day. Once you see one that you memorized, you will have that much more time to work on other questions. Also, read the comment thread underneath each question, especially if there is controversy. This definitely helped me to make sense of things that were ambiguous.
5) And now for some psychology: You must fall in love with patent law. You must become patent law. Over the past few months, I have talked about nothing but patent law and now my friends and colleagues are probably sick of me. It has been said that the test is not about patent law, but about knowing the MPEP. I am inclined to disagree, because the MPEP is about how to apply patent law, and my love of patent law has compelled me to study the MPEP. You cannot fail something you love.
That sums up my suggestions. Best wishes to everyone taking this test. May the relief you will feel when you pass justify the suffering you endured to prepare.
Thank you! And Congrats
KF November 3, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Just got home from the exam. I didn’t pass. Got 60%. I had hardly any repeat questions, maybe 4 that I can remember, Moondust, A PCT one, Foil airplane, and one other I’ll try to remember. I was hoping for a lot more like others had. Not so. The exam was much harder for me then the practice tests. Lots of random things i had never heard of like subcombination/combination. I had to look up almost everything. Lots of appeal and obviousness, handul on the new KSR and Bilksi stuff. I was really hoping to pass. Damn. I studied for hours a day since early August. Damn. Oh well, I’ll take it again! I am working full time and balancing life with studying so I guess it will just take me longer.
I’m taking the test on 11/16 and took the advice of earlier posters to go the the Prometric test site (Fair Lawn, NJ) to avoid the panic in finding it on the day of the exam. Glad I did!! I spoke to the staff and was told that they do NOT allow any writing on the 4 scratch papers until the exam starts. No writing the grid A-E or 1-50 as suggested during the tutorial…which I found so helpful in doing the practice tests. I was told that “brain dumping” is not allowed.
Hi everyone,
Well, I took the weekend off, moped a bit, and am ready to ramp up my studying to pass for sure the second time. A question for those taking it for the second time-it seems you have to both apply to the USPTO a second time, as well as sign up for prometric. Do you have to wait until you recieved a second approval letter from the USPTO before you schedule your exam for the second time? I know you have to wait for the 30 days to go by, but I’m a little confused what I have to do. Any tips would be great.
Lisa O-I was able to write on my scratch paper during the tutorial, I just had to turn my scratch paper in. I made my answer grids for both the morning and afternoon on the same packet, and then had to redo my afternoon grid. I was either allowed to keep the packet of scratch paper I had in the morning or get a brand new one. So clearly, different testing centers have different protocol. So if I had wanted to brain dump and keep my morning session scratch paper I would have had those notes acessible to me the whole time.
KF,
I think earlier posters indicated that you reapply to USPTO – transcripts are kept on file for one year. Are you planning on going to the USPTO to check on your answers?
Hi Guys
How long will it take to receive the confirmation letter?
I mailed by application 3 weeks ago and my credit card was charged 2 weeks ago. Have not received anything from USPTO yet.
Ricky – I think I received a response in 2 1/2 weeks…..
It took me much longer for me ~ 1 month after charging my CC.
I think I got mine back in about 3 weeks. I included a stamped post-card and it seems like my answer from the USPTO was less than two weeks after I received the postcard.
I passed the exam today. I relied a lot on my experience (I have been working in this area for almost 2 years). However, it is not everyday that I deal with reissue, re-exam and appeal. I also practiced 2003 and 2004 exam questions this past weekend. The process of reviewing each question/answer was very helpful and that’s how I became familiar with resissue/appeal. I did recognize many repeats … so practice with old questions really help. As for relying on the MPEP lookup, it was hard. I had to read a lot of paragraphs to find or confirm a statement. I actually finished a first pass in an hour and a half and then I spent another hour and a half looking for answers…. Honestly I can’t believe I passed! Good luck to everyone else preparing for the test.
Oh BTW, the PLI patent bar was pretty much useless. I learned the most from the past question/answer review.
Also, can anyone tell me how long it takes to receive the official confirmation letter from the USPTO?
Thanks!
Yes SB please let me and Lisa know what topics were mostly tested on the exam! It would be a great help!
Congrats!
Can you give me a sense of what percentage of the exam was on patentability? I’m taking the exam tomorrow – what should I study in my last few remaining hours? Thanks!
You have brought up a very wonderful details , thanks for the post. “There’s two heads to every coin.” by Jerry Coleman.
Hi everyone,
I didn’t pass on my first try-came close with a 60. I am debating going to D.C. to review my exam. For anyone who did go do you think it was worth it? It would require me to take unpaid time off work and a $400 plane ticket plus hotel.
Just trying to decide if it’s worth the expense when the cost is not really in our budget right now. I don’t want to get to the second try and not feel like I did everything I could to pass, you know? Thanks!
I’m thinking of traveling to DC too. A round trip from Orlando is only about $200. The PTO is rigth next to Reagan National airport with a metro stop that is 5 minutes walk to the office. If I did that, I’d fly in and out on the same day to minimize the costs.
SB-I got my official letter in about a week. Congrats!
Just passed! Feels VERY Good. Will report back tomorrow.
Congrats Maggie!!! I know you worked so hard for this!
Just passed today, definitely harder than I thought, there are about 20 repeated questions, and there are quite a few tricky questions.
I did not use too much time to prepare this test, basically only used the material from this website. Thanks for the creator!!
Remember a few questions:
Moon dust
PTC term
rejection by board under new ground
and quite a few questions about reissue assignment question
BTW, for me, the afternoon session is harder then the morning, lots of new questions in the afternoon session
Sorry for the delay in responding back. But I remember all the questions reported by Jake. Others were:
- inventor Bloc (credible utility)
- priority date (PCT)
- which submission will be rejected for presence or lack of signature
- filing date (when uspto receives or when you mail)
- national stage filing deadline
- KSR related question I can’t quite recall
- number of dependent claims (multiple dependency)
- when appellant does not respond to appeal decision within the given time, and when there are allowable claims and rejected claims, the patent will issue with the allowable independent claim and dependents if any
- 103 exception
- a question relating to special definition in the spec
Also, I remember looking quite a bit in 1400 section. Good luck!
One more:
102(e) reference date for an application that has a PCT filing and a national stage filing.
one more thing, read the choice carefully, there are quite a few choices the sentence is put together in a very awkward way, negative on negative on negative, feel like you are doing last, i don’t think that is the right direction Patent bar should go.
A lesson for the under-prepared:
I didn’t pass on the 16th of November. I went in knowing I wasn’t prepared enough but tried to keep an open mind (It was my last day to take the test – I had already rescheduled once). The test was alot harder than I expected. Many questions left me baffled. Others I spent entirely too much time searching the MPEP (mostly Ch 700, 1200 & 1800) for the answers. I frankly only spent less about 30 hours preparing. Other things in law school including my upper-level paper kept me distracted. When I signed up in August I thought I’d have more time to devote to studying, but ended up just trying to cram in the last 5 days and I didn’t invest in any prep materials. Worst of all, I didn’t discover this site (which is awesome – thank you to the site author) until about a week ago. I easily need another 40-60 hours of prep time for the next go-around.
Some repeats included moon dust, the foil airplane, abbot & laurel, and others I can’t exactly recall – but less repeats than I expected. Again, frankly I only really studied about about half of the repeats on this site, did only one old exam (I know – pathetic), and otherwise tried to read all of the important chapters. I can attest as many others have that it was very heavily weighted to PCT & Appeals. There was a trade secret question too.
I passed yesterday. I am so thankful for this site and everyone who posted. It was my second attempt and this site really helped me this second time. My study strategy for the first test was mastering all the material. I spent so much time just reading the MPEP and not enough time doing practice questions. This second time I mostly focused on practice questions. I went through most of the repeat questions on this site, and I really think that is why I passed this time.
I had probably ten-fifteen verbatim repeat questions. The rest were variations of the repeat questions. I think I had a new one- it was about a means plus function claim for computers and algorithms. I picked answer B but it was just a guess. I will post about each repeat underneath the question itself.
I definitely recommend going through all the questions on this site, and getting a good night’s sleep before the test. I also had a “five hour energy” during my lunch break. That really helped me focus during the last hour!
Good luck to everyone!
So I took the exam today only to fail. My score was a 68. If they round down, that means I missed by one question (90 scored questions, 62/90 = 68.8), if they round up, I missed by two questions 67.8%. My computer crashed during the exam. Prometric said I could contact them next week and report the crash. Has anyone else had their computer crash, only to miss by one or two questions? I missed about 5 minutes of time, although they couldn’t tell me if the timer stopped during the crash. Note to future test takers, don’t use the enter button on the search function, you need to click the button, otherwise it might crash…
I just booked my visit to USPTO to review my exam on 12/16/11 (I had taken the exam on 11/16/11). I’ve been told that no copies can be made or notes taken. Has anyone gone to the USPTO to review their exam? Also, I just received the letter to schedule my 2nd exam and found out that on or about 1/31/12, the exam will cover 2 new rules issued on 9/26/11 in accordance with the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Also, the exam will include questions concerning the 11/22/11 rules governing practic in ex parte appeals. Again, this is on or about 1/31/12 (which is now motivating me to schedule to retake the exam sooner than later).
So I just scheduled my Exam for the 26th given that they will implement the updated rules on or about the 31st of Jan. and I have the old study prep materials. I have been doing practice questions for some time now but have not taken a full practice test yet. My question is, is about a month and a half sufficient time to prep for the Exam while working full time?? What are your thoughts??
Thanks,
I just scheduled my exam for 12/27. Doing the full practice tests (especially 2002/2003) are so important as well as going over the Repeat Questions and posts on this site. Working full time and preparing for this exam is extremely tough – I’m struggling and will be taking a few days off from work the week before to study. I would suggest spending as much time as you can preparing.
Thanks Lisa,
I meant to say that i’m taking it on the 26th of Jan. I’m trying to avoid the new material that will be implemented in the test. Hopefully I will have sufficient time to prepare. Indeed working full time and preparing is really tough. I have been taking practice questions for a while now and they have been extremely helpful, however I still need a lot more prep time. I’m keeping my fingers crossed…
Malva – unless you have a photographic memory or have time to grind through about 5 runs through each of the old exams, then I would say preparing for 1.5 months is unrealistic. I have been working full time for 20 years and first starting preparing in Nov. 2010 and accomplished a successful effort on the exam this past Sunday, 12/04. It was my 2nd attempt; the first coming on May 30, 2011. However, getting in front of the new material is worth the investment of late night hours. BTW, I spend many hours from 9 – 12 each night grinding after my family went to bed. Most Saturday afternoons from Aug – Dec were also devoted to outlining or old exams.
Quick question. I take the exam Monday. Using PRG’s version of the MPEP and test, I found that I couldn’t search for more than one word at a time (no strings). Please tell me that isn’t the case on the actual MPEP provided for the test itself. Crazy!
Thanks,
Rob
Rob,
I took the test last month…from what I remember (it was quite a blur!), I think I was able to search using one or two words…Good luck tomorrow!
Thanks Lisa. That is what I was afraid of. 1-2 words doesn’t let you search for a lot of different things. Bummer
. Thanks for the input. Did you pass?
Unfortunately, no. But, I immediately filled out the paperwork and am retaking it on 12/27.
Good for you. That means you’ll be able to take it again before they add AIA. From what I understand, they’re bringing the AIA stuff in shortly.
Here’s another question. Assuming that I can use string searches… Anyone have any suggestions on how to search effectively on this one:
You are a registered practitioner and you have filed a patent application in the PTO on behalf of your client, Wannaberich, on January 7, 1998. In the first Office action, the examiner made a restriction requirement. Although your client disagrees with the restriction, you have made a provisional election with traverse and vehemently argue the restriction requirement. In the next Office action, the restriction is made final and an action on the merits follows. The application is eventually allowed. The client now wants to pursue the non-elected invention. You file a divisional application directed to the non-elected invention before the parent application issues as a patent. In the first Office action in the divisional application, the examiner rejects the claims on the grounds of obviousness-type double patenting over the patent which issued from the parent application. What should be the most appropriate reply to the rejection?
A. File a terminal disclaimer to obviate the double patenting rejection.
B. Amend the claims in the pending application to overcome the rejection.
C. File a 37 CFR §1.132 antedating affidavit.
D. [Correct Answer] Request reconsideration and point out that it is improper to use the parent patent in an obviousness-type double patenting rejection when a restriction requirement has been made by the examiner in the parent application.
E. File a petition under 37 CFR §1.183 to the Commissioner.
The correct answer is (D). 35 USC §121; MPEP §804.01. (A), (B), and (C) are incorrect. The use of the patent as a reference against the divisional application is prohibited by 35 USC §121. (E) is not the most correct answer because the petition does not stay the period or necessity to reply to the rejection. 37 CFR §§ 1.111; 1.181(f).
Hopefully someone is around and willing to help on a Sunday afternoon
.
Thanks,
Rob
Anybody know what this illegal Website does. We will check all user information.
….
Can anyone confirm which MPEP version is available during the Prometric MPEP? Mypatbar.com seems to indicate it is still the 8th/Rev4, but the PTO website shows 8th/Rev8.
I’m taking the exam on 1/9 and I’m starting to freak out.
this is where the PTO shows 8th/Rev8 for the patent bar:
http://www.uspto.gov/ip/boards/oed/aia_regexamsourcematerial.jsp
let me know when you find out…i’m taking it on the 26! Hopefully testing of new rules won’t be in effect by then…
This website is AWESOME!!
I took the Patent Bar today and passed it on my first try. The best part was I didn’t spend any $$$ preparing for it, apart from printing the study notes on this website. And the second best part was I looked at so many of the Qs from here that I almost knew when I was doing a BETA Q (so just made an educated guess, and come back if I have time). Oh… and BETA Qs tend to have grammatical errors (DEAD giveaway).
The annoying part was the search function on the PROMETRIC computers. You have to search from the beginning of an entire chapter, or so I though. Then I later realized you could type keywords to get to that subchapter, then search for your keyword from there.
For example, lets say the Q was about “Reasonable Diligence” under 102(g), and one of the answer choices was “The critical period for diligence for a first conceiver….” And you want to type this in word for word in the search field. But to save time you want to search from only 2138 and not the whole 2100 chapter. —- (1) you type “2138″ into the search field, hit enter a couple of times till you get to subchapter 2138. (2) You change the “2138″ in the search field to “critical period for diligence.” (3) You get your answer!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I realized the answer choices in the latest questions have much more paraphrasing and less direct quoting. So you have to be smart; make your search phrases short, and pick out key words that cannot be paraphrased from the MPEP. For example you could search only for “critical period” or “first conceiver” in the EG above.
Also, the PROMETRIC computers are slightly better than obsolete. Long search phrases take longer times to process. I would keep the search phrases to between 2-4 words.
Ok, off to play SC2 for now and then to update my resume!! And finally, it’s really not that hard. For those of you who took the Bar (the State Bar exams), you’ll need only slightly more than the amount of time you spent studying PR to get this done.
–Shaun
Well, I took the Exam today and did not pass. About 60%, which is about 7 questions short. Some of my impressions: Lots 103/KSR questions, Appeals, Double Patenting, Re-Exam, Re-Issue, PCT. Only maybe 5-7 repeat questions. The Prometric Center and computer delivery was just OK. Know your KSR cold because the search engine DOES NOT WORK for additional source material (Federal Register) provided (other than MPEP).
That being said, about 3 days before the exam I did not feel I was sufficiently ready. At least next time I will know what to expect and can plan accordingly. Unless you are scoring 75-80 on the practice exams under real timed conditions, don’t even bother. I was not scoring well on the practice exams so that was an indicator. Regardless, I figured I would give it a shot and see what happened. I also moved too slowly through the exam and left myself only about 30 minutes at the end of each section. Good luck to the rest of you.
Walter – I am sorry to hear that! Good luck next time and thanks for reporting back to the rest of us. I delayed taking my exam till I could do much better on the practice ones.
Will you be doing a retake?
JP
I will be taking again. Probably mid May or earlier depending on my work schedule. Know the 103 material with KSR cold. Impossible to do any lookups at the Prometric here in Bethesda.
Thank you for the update Walter. Seems unjust to me that you and others are expected to take the exam without having complete access to the supplemental materials! Do you think this is a region-specific problem? Is OED planning to resolve it soon?
I think you should be able to get a refund from Prometric if their system was at fault in this case. Good luck in May!
JP
You should be able to get a refund as I had the same problem (couldn’t search the supplement during my exam). I reported the problem to OED and Prometric and they credited me the $150 soon after.
The supplements were also non-searchable for me on 1/18/12. Luckily, I saw that there was a problem on this site a few days before so I was ready for it. Most of the answers you need are in 2100 anyway.
I would have never passed the exam without this site. I tried taking it two months ago the legit way by using PLI and doing lots of questions, but failed with a 68%. I am convinced that looking over the reported questions here and getting the answers pushed me over the top for this attempt.
I will be going through and updating what I saw over the next few days so I can pass on the good karma.
Hi Walter,
I’m taking my very soon. What was your preparation like?
I took the PLI course. I put about 100 hours into it. I only did about 4 3hr practice exams.
thanks Bagelman, i’m taking mine next week.
Lisa and others-a question regarding new material. How did you find out that this new material is going to be tested starting in January? I did not know about this. I am retaking March 19th, giving myself as much time as possible to study given that I work full time and am a coach in the winter.
January 31st is the date new material will start being tested per the USPTO and PLI websites
Kerstin,
I found out when I sent in my application to re-take the test
Interesting…I didn’t get any kind of notification when I sent in my application to re-take. I just found all the info on the USPTO website though. Glad I read about it on here!
How did the review of your exam go in D.C.? I decided not to go. I’m retaking 19th. Probably would have taken it earlier had I known about the changing rules but winter for me is really as I coach busy so it’s probably for the best.
Does any recent test taker remember a question that involves India and outsourcing? I’ve seen it alluded to a few times, but cannot find the fact pattern on the posts. Thank you in advance.
JP
I did yesterday. I answered that outsourcing is not allowed. I passed.