100+ Free EPAC Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: EPAC Exam

60%

Passing Score

EPO/epi Regulations

€50

Fee per Module

EQC Portal

31 mos

Euro-PCT Entry

Rule 159(1) EPC

1 month

Unitary Effect Request

Rule 6 UPR

9 months

Opposition Period

Art 99(1) EPC

12 mos

Priority Period

Paris Convention

The EPAC exam is the benchmark certification for European patent administrators, paralegals, and formalities officers, administered by the EPO and epi. Offered annually online via WISEflow, it features 4 modules at €50 each. Passing requires achieving 60% of points. The exam tests EPC and PCT procedures, Paris Convention priority, London Agreement translation rules, and Unitary Patents.

Sample EPAC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your EPAC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Paris Convention, what is the priority period for filing a subsequent patent application claiming priority from an earlier utility model or patent application?

A.6 months

B.18 months

C.12 months

D.24 months

Explanation: According to Article 4C(1) of the Paris Convention, the priority period for patents and utility models is 12 months. This period starts from the date of filing of the first application.

2For a subsequent European patent application to validly claim priority from an earlier application under the EPC, who must file the subsequent application?

A.Any person who files the subsequent application, regardless of relationship to the original applicant.

B.The professional representative of the first applicant only.

C.Only the actual inventor of the subject matter, even if the first application was filed by a company.

D.The applicant of the first application or their successor in title.

Explanation: Article 87(1) EPC states that the right of priority belongs to the person who has duly filed the first application, or their successor in title. If the applicant of the subsequent application is not the original applicant, a valid transfer of the priority right must have taken place before the filing of the subsequent application.

3Which of the following languages is NOT an official language of the European Patent Office (EPO)?

A.English

B.Spanish

C.German

D.French

Explanation: According to Article 14(1) EPC, the official languages of the European Patent Office are English, French, and German. Spanish is not an official language of the EPO, although applications can be filed in any language under certain conditions.

4If a European patent application is filed in an official language of an EPC contracting state that is not English, French, or German, what is the deadline for filing the translation into one of the official languages of the EPO?

A.1 month from the filing date

B.3 months from the filing date

C.2 months from the filing date

D.6 months from the filing date

Explanation: According to Rule 6(1) EPC, if a European patent application is filed in a language other than English, French, or German, a translation into one of these official languages must be filed within two months of the filing date.

5Who is entitled to a reduction in the filing fee under the EPC for filing a patent application in a non-EPO official language?

A.Only natural persons.

B.Natural persons, SMEs, non-profit organizations, universities, and public research organizations.

C.Only small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

D.Any applicant, regardless of entity type or residence.

Explanation: Rule 6(4) EPC, in conjunction with Rule 6(3) EPC, limits the fee reduction (currently 30%) for filing in an authorized non-EPO language to natural persons, SMEs, non-profit organizations, universities, and public research organizations having their residence or principal place of business in an EPC contracting state with a language other than English, French, or German.

6What is the primary document required to identify the inventor in a European patent application?

A.A formal designation of inventor filed on EPO Form 1202 or within the request for grant.

B.A certified copy of the inventor's passport.

C.An affidavit signed by all joint applicants.

D.A declaration of priority document.

Explanation: According to Article 81 and Rule 19(1) EPC, the applicant must designate the inventor. This is typically done in the Request for Grant form (Form 1001) or by filing a separate designation of inventor form (Form 1202).

7Which of the following is explicitly excluded from patentability under Article 52(2) EPC when claimed 'as such'?

A.Schemes, rules, and methods for performing mental acts, playing games, or doing business.

B.Chemical substances.

C.Microbiological processes.

D.Medical devices.

Explanation: Article 52(2)(c) EPC explicitly excludes schemes, rules, and methods for performing mental acts, playing games, or doing business, as well as programs for computers, from patentability to the extent that the application relates to such subject-matter 'as such'.

8According to Article 54(2) EPC, what constitutes the state of the art for determining the novelty of an invention?

A.Everything made available to the public by means of a written or oral description, by use, or in any other way, before the date of filing of the European patent application.

B.Only documents published in the official languages of the EPO.

C.Only patent applications filed in EPC contracting states in the last 20 years.

D.Any scientific publication in a peer-reviewed journal only.

Explanation: Article 54(2) EPC defines the state of the art as comprising everything made available to the public by means of a written or oral description, by use, or in any other way, before the date of filing of the European patent application (or its priority date). This is an absolute novelty standard with no geographical or language limits.

9Under what condition does a co-pending European patent application constitute state of the art under Article 54(3) EPC for a later application?

A.Only if it was published before the filing date of the later application.

B.Only if both applications have the same applicant.

C.If its filing date (or priority date) is earlier than that of the later application, and it was published on or after the filing/priority date of the later application.

D.If it was filed in the same contracting state as the later application's applicant resides.

Explanation: Article 54(3) EPC states that the content of European patent applications as filed, of which the dates of filing are prior to the date of filing of the later application and which were published on or after that date, shall be considered as comprised in the state of the art. These documents are considered for novelty only, not for inventive step.

10Under Article 55 EPC (non-prejudicial disclosures), how long is the grace period for a disclosure of the invention that was due to an evident abuse in relation to the applicant?

A.3 months preceding the filing date of the application.

B.12 months preceding the filing date of the application.

C.6 months preceding the filing date of the application.

D.24 months preceding the filing date of the application.

Explanation: Article 55(1) EPC states that a disclosure of the invention shall not be taken into consideration if it occurred no earlier than six months preceding the filing of the European patent application and was due to, or in consequence of, an evident abuse in relation to the applicant or their legal predecessor.

About the EPAC Exam

The European Patent Administration Certification (EPAC) is the official certification for patent paralegals, formalities officers, and patent administrators in Europe, demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of the EPC and PCT procedures.

Questions

60 scored questions

Time Limit

Varies by module

Passing Score

60%

Exam Fee

€50 per module (European Patent Office (EPO) / epi)

EPAC Exam Content Outline

25%

Module 1: Patent Law (EPC & PCT)

Background of the patent system, patentability requirements, patenting routes, Paris Convention priority, and ownership.

25%

Module 2: EPO Procedures (Filing to Grant)

Formalities and administrative steps for filing, search, examination, fee payments, and deadline monitoring before the EPO.

25%

Module 3: EPO Post-Grant & Unitary Patent

Opposition, appeals, validation of European patents, Unitary Patent registration, translation rules, and UPC opt-outs.

25%

Module 4: PCT International Phase & Regional Entry

PCT Chapter I and II procedures, international publication, and formalities for entry into national and regional (Euro-PCT) phases.

How to Pass the EPAC Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 60%
Exam length: 60 questions
Time limit: Varies by module
Exam fee: €50 per module

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

EPAC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the official EPO Guide for Applicants and PCT Applicant's Guide.

2Understand the exact calculation rules for EPC deadlines, including the '10-day rule' (former Rule 126(2) EPC, note that it was abolished on November 1, 2023, but the 2026 exam continues to test post-abolition rules where notifications are deemed received on the actual date of transmission).

3Practice calculating deadlines for Euro-PCT phase entry (31 months from the earliest priority date under Rule 159(1) EPC).

4Learn the validation requirements and the London Agreement groups to quickly determine where translation translations are required.

5Master the procedures for requesting Unitary Patent effect within the strict 1-month post-grant window.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the European Patent Administration Certification (EPAC)?

The EPAC is a professional certification issued jointly by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO (epi). It is designed to certify the knowledge and skills of patent paralegals, formalities officers, and patent administrators in handling filing, prosecution, grant, post-grant, and international patent procedures under the EPC and PCT.

What is the format of the EPAC exam?

As of 2026, the EPAC is divided into four modular parts, which candidates can take individually or together. The exam is conducted electronically via the WISEflow platform as an open-book exam, consisting of multiple-choice questions (Part 1, which acts as a threshold check) and open/written questions (Part 2) testing procedural calculations and application.

What are the four modules of the EPAC?

The four modules of the EPAC are: Module 1 (Patent Law under EPC & PCT), Module 2 (EPO Procedures for Filing, Search, and Examination), Module 3 (EPO Post-Grant, Appeals, Validation, and Unitary Patent/UPC), and Module 4 (PCT International Phase and entry into national/regional phases).

What are the fees for the EPAC exam?

The enrolment fee is €50 per module, meaning a candidate taking all four modules will pay a total of €200. Fees are paid via credit card or bank transfer in the EQC portal and are non-refundable.

What is the passing score for the EPAC modules?

A candidate passes a module if they obtain at least 60% of the total points available. To have the open-answer section (Part 2) marked, candidates must first pass the multiple-choice section (Part 1) by answering a minimum number of questions correctly (historically at least 8 out of 15 questions).