100+ Free EQE Paper F Practice Questions

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Key Facts: EQE Paper F Exam

4 hours

Exam Time

EPO (two parts)

€200

Paper Fee

EPO Rules

12 mos

Min. Training

EQE Regulations

Wiseflow

Exam Platform

EPO online

EPC & PCT

Core Law Tested

EQE Syllabus

31 mos

EPO PCT Entry

Rule 159(1) EPC

The EQE Paper F is a 4-hour Foundation exam costing €200 (plus €200 enrolment). It tests EPC and PCT patent law, focusing on procedural rules in Part 1 and claim/amendment compliance in Part 2. Candidates need at least 12 months of supervised training and a science/engineering degree to sit this exam.

Sample EQE Paper F Practice Questions

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

1Which of the following is NOT required to obtain a date of filing for a European patent application under Rule 40(1) EPC?

A.An indication that a European patent is sought

B.Information identifying the applicant or allowing the applicant to be contacted

C.One or more patent claims

D.A description of the invention

Explanation: Under Rule 40(1) EPC, the requirement to file one or more claims is not a condition for according a date of filing. If claims are missing, the EPO will invite the applicant to file them within a two-month period under Rule 58 EPC. The indication that a patent is sought, applicant identification, and a description (or reference) are mandatory under Rule 40(1)(a)-(c) EPC.

2A Japanese company without a residence or principal place of business in an EPC Contracting State wishes to file a European patent application. Under Article 133 EPC, for which of the following actions is representation by a professional representative NOT mandatory?

A.Filing the European patent application itself

B.Filing a response to an examination report under Article 94(3) EPC

C.Paying the renewal fees during examination

D.Requesting oral proceedings under Article 116 EPC

Explanation: Article 133(2) EPC states that natural or legal persons not having their residence or principal place of business in a Contracting State must be represented by a professional representative in all proceedings established by the EPC, other than in filing a European patent application. Therefore, the initial filing can be performed without representation. All subsequent procedural steps, including responding to communications, require representation.

3Under Article 14(2) EPC, if a European patent application is filed in a language other than English, French, or German, within what time limit must the translation into one of the official languages of the EPO be filed?

A.One month from the date of filing

B.Two months from the date of filing

C.Three months from the date of filing

D.Six months from the date of filing

Explanation: According to Rule 6(1) EPC, the translation of a European patent application filed in an authorized non-EPO language under Article 14(2) EPC must be filed within two months of the date of filing. If the translation is not filed in due time, the application is deemed to be withdrawn under Article 14(2) EPC and Rule 57(a) EPC.

4What is the priority period for filing a European patent application claiming priority from an earlier national patent application under Article 87(1) EPC?

A.6 months

B.12 months

C.18 months

D.24 months

Explanation: Article 87(1) EPC, in accordance with Article 4 of the Paris Convention, provides a priority period of 12 months for patents, utility models, and utility certificates. This period starts from the date of filing of the first application, and the day of filing is not included in the period.

5Which of the following categories of applicants is eligible for a reduction in the filing fee under Rule 6(3) EPC when filing a European patent application in an official language of a Contracting State other than English, French, or German?

A.A large corporation based in Italy filing in Italian

B.A small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) based in the United States filing in Spanish

C.A natural person having their residence in Spain filing in Spanish

D.A public research organization based in Japan filing in Japanese

Explanation: Under Rule 6(3) EPC and Rule 6(4) EPC, to qualify for the fee reduction, the applicant must belong to one of the specified categories (natural persons, SMEs, non-profit organizations, universities, public research organizations) AND have their residence or principal place of business in an EPC Contracting State. A natural person residing in Spain (an EPC Contracting State) filing in Spanish (an official language of Spain, which is not English, French, or German) qualifies.

6To obtain a date of filing under Rule 40(1)(c) EPC by referencing a previously filed application, which of the following details must be indicated in the European patent application on the date of filing?

A.Only the file number of the previously filed application

B.Only the country of filing and the date of filing

C.The date of filing, the file number, and the office of filing of the previously filed application

D.A certified copy of the previously filed application and its translation

Explanation: Rule 40(2) EPC specifies that if the description is replaced by a reference to a previously filed application, the applicant must indicate on the date of filing the date of filing of that application, its file number, and the office with which it was filed. Failure to provide these details on filing will prevent the according of a filing date unless corrected.

7Under Rule 52(2) EPC, what is the time limit for filing a declaration of priority if it was not done at the time of filing the European patent application?

A.Within 2 months from the date of filing of the European patent application

B.Within 16 months from the earliest priority date claimed

C.Within 12 months from the earliest priority date claimed

D.Up until the technical preparations for publication of the application are completed

Explanation: Under Rule 52(2) EPC, the declaration of priority may be made or corrected within 16 months from the earliest priority date claimed (or within 4 months of filing the European application if that expires later). Failure to file this declaration in time will result in the loss of the priority right for the application.

8Under Rule 53(3) EPC, when is an applicant required to file a translation of the previous application from which priority is claimed?

A.In all cases within 16 months from the priority date

B.Within 2 months of filing the European patent application if the priority application is not in an EPO official language

C.Only when the validity of the priority claim is relevant to the patentability of the invention, upon invitation by the EPO

D.Only if the applicant wants to avoid paying a late priority translation fee

Explanation: Rule 53(3) EPC states that a translation of the previous application shall be filed only where the validity of the priority claim is relevant to the patentability of the invention concerned, and upon invitation by the EPO. The EPO will specify a time limit for filing this translation (which must be at least 2 months).

9Two applicants, a German company (resident in Germany) and a US company (resident in the US), jointly file a European patent application. Neither applicant appoints a professional representative, and the German company is named first in the request for grant. Under Rule 151 EPC, who is the deemed common representative?

A.The German company, as the first-named applicant

B.The US company, because non-residents take precedence in representative matters

C.A professional representative must be appointed; there is no deemed common representative

D.Both companies must act jointly in all matters; no single common representative is deemed

Explanation: Under Rule 151(1) EPC, if there is more than one applicant and the request for grant does not name a common representative, the applicant first named in the request shall be deemed to be the common representative. However, if one of the applicants is obliged to appoint a professional representative (the US resident here), that representative shall be deemed to be the common representative unless the first-named applicant (the German resident here) has appointed a representative. Here, the German resident does not need a representative (Art. 133(1) EPC) and is first-named, so they are deemed the common representative.

10An applicant files a European patent application but accidentally omits two pages of the description. They file these missing pages one month later. Under Rule 56 EPC, what happens to the date of filing of the application?

A.The date of filing remains the original date, and the missing pages are automatically accepted

B.The date of filing is re-dated to the date on which the missing pages were filed, unless priority was claimed and the missing parts were completely contained in the priority application

C.The application is rejected as filed, and a new application must be submitted

D.The date of filing remains the original date, but the missing pages are treated as not having been filed

Explanation: According to Rule 56(2) EPC, if missing parts of the description or drawings are filed, the application is re-dated to the date on which these parts were filed. However, under Rule 56(3) EPC, the original date of filing can be maintained if the missing parts claim priority from an earlier application, were completely contained in that application, and the applicant requests this and complies with the requirements.

About the EQE Paper F Exam

The EQE Paper F (Foundation) is the entry-level paper of the European Qualifying Examination for prospective patent attorneys. It evaluates candidates' knowledge of procedural and substantive patent law under the EPC and the PCT. The exam is divided into two parts: Part 1 focuses on procedural rules and requirements in EPC and PCT proceedings, while Part 2 evaluates substantive claim interpretation, patentability compliance under the EPC, and proposed claim amendments.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions covering EPC & PCT procedural law and claims analysis

Time Limit

4 hours (two 2-hour parts)

Passing Score

Board-determined passing threshold (typically 50-75%)

Exam Fee

€200 (enrolment fee €200 excluded) (European Patent Office (EPO) and epi)

EQE Paper F Exam Content Outline

50%

EPC and PCT Procedural Law

Filing requirements, language rules, representation, priority, time limit calculations, extensions, search and examination procedures, opposition, appeals, and fee payments.

25%

EPC Substantive Patentability

Exceptions to patentability (subject-matter, morality), novelty, state of the art, inventive step, and industrial applicability.

25%

Claim Analysis and Amendments

Claim interpretation, clarity and support under Article 84 EPC, added matter under Article 123(2) EPC, and admissibility of claim amendments.

How to Pass the EQE Paper F Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Board-determined passing threshold (typically 50-75%)
Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions covering EPC & PCT procedural law and claims analysis
Time limit: 4 hours (two 2-hour parts)
Exam fee: €200 (enrolment fee €200 excluded)

Keys to Passing

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

EQE Paper F Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the calculation of time limits under Rule 131 EPC, including the ten-day rule under Rule 126(2) EPC (note the 2023 amendment regarding postal services) and extensions under Rule 134 EPC.

2Understand priority rights under Articles 87-89 EPC and Article 4 of the Paris Convention, including priority periods, right of priority, and identity of invention.

3Thoroughly study the PCT international phase timeline, including filing, international search (ISA), international preliminary examination (IPEA), and the 31-month limit for entry into the EPO regional phase under Rule 159(1) EPC.

4Study claim clarity and support requirements under Article 84 EPC and Guidelines F-IV, particularly the distinction between independent and dependent claims.

5Focus on Article 123(2) EPC (added subject-matter) and the strict gold standard of direct and unambiguous disclosure applied by the EPO Board of Appeal.

6Review the Rules relating to Fees under the EPC, including payment methods, date of payment, fee reductions for SMEs, and refunds for search or examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EQE Paper F?

Paper F is the Foundation paper of the European Qualifying Examination (EQE) under the new modular system (effective 2025/2026/2027). It replaces the former Pre-Examination and acts as the entry-level hurdle that candidates must pass before sitting the main modular papers (M1 to M4).

Who is eligible to take Paper F?

To take Paper F, candidates must have a university-level degree in science or technology (e.g., engineering, physics, chemistry) and have completed at least 12 months of supervised professional training under a registered European Patent Attorney, or as an employee in an industrial patent department in an EPC Contracting State.

How much does the EQE Paper F cost?

The exam paper fee is €200. In addition, first-time candidates must pay an enrolment fee of €200. This brings the initial attempt cost to €400, while subsequent retakes of the paper cost €200.

What is the format of the EQE Paper F exam?

The exam is computer-based, conducted online via the Wiseflow platform. It lasts 4 hours in total, split into two 2-hour parts (with a break in between). The questions are designed for automatic scoring and include multiple-choice, true/false, drop-down selection, and drag-and-drop elements.

What is the passing score for Paper F?

There is no fixed passing score. The Examination Board sets the passing threshold for each exam paper, which is typically set between 50% and 75% of the total marks.

What happens if I fail Paper F?

If you do not pass Paper F, you must retake it in a subsequent annual session. You must pass Paper F (or qualify for a waiver) to proceed to the main modular papers (M1 to M4) of the EQE.