Well, here's a farthing's worth from one who just blew it
on Tues (for various reasons, including health).
Everyone has different approaches and skills of course,
but here's my perspective looking backwards. I'm a
physicist and have zippo background in patents or law.
(1) There is a thread under the heading "New Patent Bar
Online Exam - Prometric". It has a wealth of info about
experiences from a zillion people. Two BIG CAVEATS:
(a) It's a looong thread, currently 69 pages. Much of
the topics are jumbled and either overlap or repeat other
threads (such as this one). Hard to navigate.
(b) It's an old thread, going back to July 2004, when the
computer version was just coming on board. Some of the
material is out of date. Some was dead wrong. Skip the
ones that lead off, "I understand that..." or "I have
heard that..." That means they don't really know.
(2) Wolfcastle is absolutely correct about the version of
MPEP to use. You use the version that the test is based
on, which is specified on the official OED website. The
test is still based on r2, but the latest is r4. You
don't need to shell out bucks for the manual unless you
want to buy the printed one. They are free for download
in PDF. You need a high-speed connection; the single
file version is ~24 M. Just checked the OED page, they
have only r4 available now, but other sites have r2. Try
out a couple of sites; the configurations vary, some are
better than others. If you have a decent monitor, I
recommend that you **not** use the paper version unless
you want to pump up your biceps. It's the size of a
hefty phonebook; the one I have is ~3" thick. Also the
font size varies from 10 pt down to 6 pt. With the PDF
version, you can Zoom In as needed. And you can use the
Adobe "Find" function. See other threads about Adobe 5
vs 7, and "Find" vs "Search", and multi files vs single
file.
(3) OED gives 90 days warning that they will change to
the next version. Keep an eye on the website. You don't
want to be the first guinea pig, sort of like being the
first to buy the next version of Windows. I get e-mail
now and then from one of the exam prep companies. One
stated that the next version will be r3 and there will be
major changes. Note: Unless this is confirmed by OED, I
put it in the category of "I don't really don't know for
sure..." Best advice: Don't delay.
(4) One guy wrote that he had no patent background,
simply read through the MPEP, did old exams, and passed
the first round. So there is at least one existence proof
that it's doable. I think it's rare; otherwise people
wouldn't be shelling out $$ for prep courses. But again,
I don't have any stats so this is an unsubstantiated
statement on my part.
(5) I too have been working with Longacre. There are a
number of posts, so I won't go over my views, with the
exception of two BIG CAVEATS. (a) At the very beginning
of his lectures, he states that you can get by with his
videos and study guide. You can look over the MPEP if
you wish, but it's not really necessary <with some
exceptions>. My experience is that this is not true.
Once you get to the old exams, you will find that you
must read sections (not all) of the MPEP. There are way
too much minutia that are not covered in the videos and
study guides. (b) He also hates the computerized MPEP
and says not to rely on it. I (and others) have found it
essential to develop proficiency in searching the MPEP
quickly. I realized all this too late in the game. For
my next go around I'm spending more time reading select
sections of the MPEP in entirety, and getting practice
with lookups.
(6) Going over old exams are essential. But again two
BIG CAVEATS. (a) Last time PTO published exams was Oct
2003. We now have a 2+ yr gap in practice exams. (b)
From other threads, you will note that sections that were
not heavily tested in the past now are (especially PCT).
This creates problems for all the prep companies (and
test takers!), which depend heavily on old exam
questions.
(7) The Innovita disk (see separate thread on some
problems) reproduces the actual test real close, except
for the MPEP lookup function. Check the Thomson
Prometrics website (mentioned in other threads and on the
OED site) to preview the actual MPEP lookup function.
The disk has a great version of MPEP r2 bundled with it.
On the simulated tests,you can mark questions, and it has
a countdown timer.
At the end it'll spit out the score and give you a tally
sheet of the ones you got wrong. It also calculates the
avg time per question, BUT I haven't directly verified
that this works correctly. There is a "Show Answer"
function for each question that's really handy. From
looking at different simulators, looks like several are
just repackaged from a common one. Each package has it's
+/-. But again, this falls into the category of an
unsubstantiated "I think so...".
Have fun!
Author
Topic: Patent Bar Exam training (Read 3944 times)
