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.
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.