New Patent Bar Exam Questions and Study Guide

One of the major outlines I used was from http://www.freepatentbar.com, but he recently took his outline down. That one laid out exactly how to approach studying for the test but here’s my two bits. People are going to disagree with this, but I found it incredibly helpful to study just like this:

Step 1: Read Sections 1, 10, and 41 of Appendix R in their entirety.
Appendix R is the root of the majority of questions that you will be asked. Moreover, most if not all, of the MPEP chapters are derived from Appendix R. You don’t need to read it for content and recall, just get familiar with it, start to learn where things are and what some of the popular sections are (i.e. 1.17, 1.48, 1.53, 1.55, 1.131, 1.181, 1.312, etc.)

Step 2. Read the outline that is on this website in it’s entirety and then look at the focus sections on 600, 700, 1200, 1400, 1800, and 2100 as these are some of the most tested sections of the MPEP. Learn the core concepts. And after you finish reading these, read 700, 1800, and 2100 again.

Step 3. Read the Bullseye outline that you have, it’s very good and gives you a great overview but isn’t as good as the stuff on this website. I got it more for the questions that it provided.

Step 4. By this point you should have a general understanding of the process of filing the application, replying to OAs, and what happens when you’re either finally rejected or allowed. Right now is when you dive into your first practice exam, I’d recommend one of the 2002 or 2003 exams. (Focus on the exams from 2000 to 2003 since before 2000 the rule changes may cause confusion.) When you do this exam concentrate on faithfully searching the MPEP using only the Find feature as it will be what you have on the real deal.

Also, take the Table of Contents and print out 2-3 copies and carry one with you and post another next to your desk. Memorize this until you know the sections by heart since you will not be able to search the MPEP in its entirety on the exam, you can only search chapter by chapter.

So you work through an entire test, un-timed at this point, and see how you did (FYI, I got an 11/50 on the AM, and a 6/50 on the PM of my first test). Go through every answer (this part sucks). On the questions you got right, learn from the answer key why the right answer IS right and also WHY the wrong answers are wrong for every answer choice. Then you do this for every question you got wrong as well. When the answer key mentions a part of the MPEP like Section 608 in reference to multiple dependent claims, go to that section and read about it. Learn to search the MPEP and by doing this you’ll learn the landscape of the MPEP which will better enable you to find the information you need on exam day.

Step 5. So the exam should be an eye opening experience at this point, and now you’re ready to make your second pass at the Bullseye outline while working on the repeat questions that pop up. (I used to do them 5 questions at a time every day). Also, pick up another exam and start working it out. You don’t have to do the whole thing, just take 25 questions and try to do them in 90 minutes. Repeat this process until the exam is done, and once again go through all the answer choices in gratuitous detail.

By now you should know where your weaknesses are and you should be getting a handle on what you need to work on. For me it was 1800 and the PCT. I had a lot of trouble with that, so I worked on the Bullseye 1800 focus questions as well as going through the outline that’s on here that is only about 1800.

Also remember, that this is a LOT of information that you have to be able to understand, and most of the information is interconnected which makes the whole thing that much more complicated. So be sure to give yourself the time you need to get through it all. There are no shortcuts, there is no easy way out, you just have to put the work into learning how take the test. If you put in about 200-300 hours (probably closer to 300) you’ll be just fine.

GOOD LUCK!

passed in my first try today!

I can imagine your anxiety S.. just study 2001-2003 concepts.. the point for this is to save time on repeats plus the confidence that it gives in approaching exam day..

new Q that I can remember: in a rejection based on new ground by BOPAI, which of the following are in accordance with MPEP…

a.) after denial by examiner of claims that were reopened before him, the applicant can make a second appeal.. (this is true)

b.) if the claims were abandoned before the examiner, the claims are forwarded to BOPAI for final adjudication.. (this is false)

c.) sorry cant remember but the rest are way off the mark..

the rest of the questions are actually discussed in this site.. i will be back with some more when my mind is settled..

BTW, anybody in here who took alabama bar exams? im looking for some materials..

One more, anybody who knows how to find a recruiter? especially if i want to work outside America?

Good luck to all..