EQE 2024 results and next steps for EQE 2025 available

Following the meeting of the EQE Supervisory Board on 17 July, statistics on the results of this year’s EQE were published as well as the dates for 2026 examination. In total, some 2 000 candidates of 58 nationalities participated in this year’s examination, of which 40% were women. Since the introduction of the fully digital EQE in 2021, candidates have been able to sit the papers in the location of their choice from anywhere in the world, greatly increasing the EQE’s accessibility, improving work-life balance and contributing to sustainability. 

The Supervisory Board expressed its satisfaction with the conduct of this year’s examinations and the issuance of results to candidates. The candidates who successfully completed the examination can now be entered on the European Patent Office’s list of professional representatives, which they can request through the recently enhanced Representative area in MyEPO Portfolio.

Towards EQE 2025

The completion of EQE 2024, the last EQE with pre-examination, marks an important milestone in EQE reform and the transition to the modernised modular examination format, with papers F and M1 through M4 to be gradually introduced from 2025 to 2027, along with main exam papers A to D offered in 2025 and 2026. The enrolment for EQE 2025 with papers F and A to D is ongoing until 23 September. To support preparations, the EQE guide for preparation and mock paper F have been made available. Additionally, registration for the Academy’s “Preparing for EQE Paper F” online course is currently open.

Fostering a sustainable patent system

The EQE is a mark of excellence for the European patent system, the patent attorney profession and for all those who pass the examination, including many EPO examiners. Since the EQE’s launch in 1979, more than 14 000 patent professionals have been entered on the list of professional representatives before the EPO after successfully completing the qualifying exam.