Swiss Patent Attorney exam-day guide
Swiss Patent Attorney · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission letter and official invitation from the examination board
Bring the written invitation/admission document you received for the Swiss patent attorney examination. Confirm with the provider (the examination board / IGE-IPI) which document exactly is required for entry and whether a printout or digital copy is accepted - treat this as needs_review until confirmed in writing.
Valid official photo ID
A passport or national identity card is the safe choice. Confirm with the provider whether a Swiss residence permit alone is accepted and whether the name must match the admission letter exactly. needs_review: exact ID policy.
Permitted legal texts and statutes
The examination is open-book with respect to legislation. Bring the current versions of the relevant Swiss statutes (e.g. PatG, PatV, VwVG-relevant provisions) and the EPC/Patent Cooperation Treaty texts if permitted. Confirm with the provider the exact list of allowed materials and whether annotations, tabs, and loose inserts are allowed. needs_review.
Permitted commentaries and case-law compilations
Many candidates rely on commentaries and printed decision collections. Confirm with the provider which categories (commentaries, textbooks, own summaries) are admitted and whether handwritten or self-made notes are allowed in the exam room. needs_review.
Calculator and timekeeping device
A non-programmable calculator and an analogue watch are typically useful for the paper on law and for time allocation. Confirm with the provider whether programmable/graphing calculators, smartwatches, or phones are banned. needs_review.
Writing materials
Bring several pens (including a spare), pencils, an eraser, and a ruler. If answers are handwritten, confirm with the provider whether answers must be in ink and whether correction fluid is allowed. needs_review.
Printed or offline reference materials you rely on
If the provider permits only printed materials, prepare your own index/tabs so you can locate provisions quickly. If electronic aids are permitted, confirm the exact devices and offline status required. needs_review.
Laminated or printed personal index of key provisions
A short personal index (article numbers, key definitions, procedural deadlines) is a study aid you build yourself; check with the provider whether such self-made aids may be brought into the room. needs_review.
Food, water, and medication
Bring water and a light snack if breaks allow. Bring any prescription medication you need and inform the invigilator if relevant. Confirm with the provider the rules on food and drink at the desk. needs_review.
Travel and accommodation plan
Know the exact venue, arrival time, and how long registration takes. Plan to arrive with a margin; confirm with the provider the registration deadline and whether late arrivals are admitted. needs_review.
Language dictionary (if permitted)
If you are writing in a language other than your first, confirm with the provider whether a print dictionary is allowed in the room. needs_review.
Reviewed exam regulations
Read the current Prüfungsreglement / examination regulations before the exam so you know the rules on aids, breaks, withdrawal, and scoring. Confirm with the provider that you have the current version. needs_review.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Re-read the examination regulations and the admission letter, verify the venue and travel, and confirm with the provider the list of permitted aids and any open questions (ID, calculator, notes). Prepare and pack your materials: statutes with tabs, personal index, pens, calculator, watch, ID.
Do one timed dry run on a past-style question under exam conditions using only the aids you will actually have. Note which provisions you had to search for and improve your index accordingly. Do not add new commentaries at this stage.
Check the current text of the key statutes you will use and make sure your copies are up to date; confirm with the provider whether outdated editions are a problem. Sleep on a normal schedule from this point on.
Light review only: skim your personal index, key definitions, and procedural deadlines. Pack the bag with ID, admission letter, aids, pens, water, and medication. Confirm transport and set two alarms. Avoid intensive new study and avoid alcohol.
Re-read the exam schedule (which paper is when, how long, whether breaks are scheduled) and decide your time budget per question. Confirm with the provider the start time and the registration window. needs_review.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive at the venue with a margin before registration closes, and keep your aids organized in the order you will use them. Leave phones and smart devices switched off and stored as the invigilator instructs.
At your desk, before the start, check that you have all permitted materials and that nothing prohibited is visible. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions on filling in candidate details and on the answer format.
Read the whole paper first and allocate time per question; start with the questions you can answer confidently. For legal questions, cite the provision and then apply it to the facts - a clear structure earns marks even when the conclusion is debatable.
Watch the clock: keep a reserve of about 10–15% of the time for checking. If a question stalls, write your structure and move on. Leave nothing blank if partial credit is possible, and confirm with the provider how partial credit is handled. needs_review.
If you need to leave the room, follow the invigilator's procedure exactly and note that time typically continues to run; confirm with the provider the rules on breaks and toilet visits. needs_review.
Check that your candidate number/name is on every sheet, that all pages are handed in, and that you have your ID and belongings. Note the date and channel for results as stated in the regulations.
Rules to check
Bring only aids explicitly permitted by the examination regulations. If you are unsure about an item (calculator, self-made notes, dictionary), ask the provider in advance and get the answer in writing; do not rely on assumptions on exam day.
Carry valid official photo ID matching your admission documents. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what happens if the name differs. needs_review.
Electronic devices such as phones, smartwatches, and programmable calculators are typically prohibited at the desk; switch them off and store them as instructed. Confirm with the provider the exact device policy. needs_review.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on registration, seating, answer format, and hand-in. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam; raise your hand for the invigilator instead.
Breaks and toilet visits are usually regulated and time generally keeps running; confirm with the provider the break rules and whether any supervised break is granted. needs_review.
Scoring and pass criteria are set in the examination regulations. Read them before the exam and confirm with the provider how the papers are weighted and what the pass threshold is. needs_review.
If something goes wrong (illness, missing material, disturbance), inform the invigilator immediately and ask how it will be recorded; the regulations may set deadlines for later objections. Confirm with the provider the procedure. needs_review.