e.EQE: Multiple choice questions

e.EQE: Multiple choice questions

by - Anonymous -
Number of replies: 2

In the discussion paper it is proposed to increase the amount of moduls using multiple choice questions (MCQ) and to introduce autocorrectable moduls. Apart from the questions if those tools to autocorrect such moduls are available, it seems that such moduls could at  best test knowledge but not the fit to practice criterion requested by the Rules (Art. 1 REE). The key of a patent attorney's work is creative work such as find a claim that protects an invention and is delimited against prior art, to find arguments for the presence or absence of novelty and inventive step, analyze complex legal scenarios etc., but not the choice between proposals. Thus,  MCQ might be a tool for a preliminary test of knowledge but is not suitable to test the key requirements for the work as a patent attorney. 

Another important aspect is the amount of time necesssary to provide MCQ. As Stefan Kastel has outlined in detail, it is a very time- and ressource- consuming task. Until now 20 MCQ had to be provided per year, for the format proposed in the discussion paper about 5,000 to 10,000 MCQ were necesssary. Who should do this work?  Experienced EQE examiner are required and their number cannot just be increased.   

Thus, the content to be tested is not adequate and the means for these tests are not available.

In reply to - Anonymous

Re: e.EQE: Multiple choice questions

by - Anonymous -
As in the previous comment, I also wonder how such a huge pool of MCQ-questions shall be set up, comprising thousands of questions for each of these exams. Such a pool of questions does not exist so far and it will cost a tremendous effort to create such a pool in the time of a view years.

So, who will create this large pool and continuously adapt the questions so that they are up-to-date? The paper is absolutely silent about this. It can only be speculated that it is intended to outsource this work to specialized providers who might not be experts in patent law but in creating questions for exams in general. I think this will reduce very much the quality of the exam.

Also I cannot see a big improvement in allowing to sit the exams “at any time” and certainly not an advantage which outweighs all the downsides. It is and has been manageable to sit the exam at a fixed time once or twice a year.

Furthermore, the discussion paper states that the current setup of the exam papers is too foreseeable and allows candidates to prepare for the EQE through methodology courses. However, the foreseeability of questions asked out of a pool of questions will increase and, thereby, also the benefit from preparing through methodology courses. Thus, the proposal will in this way lead to an effect contrary to the initial goals.
In reply to - Anonymous

Re: e.EQE: Multiple choice questions

by - Anonymous -
Les QCM sont utiles pour évaluer des savoirs cognitifs. La taxonomie de Bloom permet de comprendre les différents niveaux de maîtrise de ces savoirs https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomie_de_Bloom En fonction de la façon dont ils sont conçus, les QCM permettent d’évaluer les quatre premiers niveaux, donc pas seulement la connaissance, mais aussi la compréhension, l'application et l'analyse. Seuls les niveaux supérieurs requièrent d'autres modes d'évaluation, l'examen écrit avec des questions ouvertes étant une des options.