The October 2026 Patent Examination Board qualifying examinations are approaching. The Foundation Certificate papers take place from 12 to 16 October, followed by the Final Diploma papers from 19 to 22 October.
The Final Diploma timetable is:
FD1: Advanced IP Law and Practice: Monday 19 October, 10am–2pm. FD4: Infringement and Validity: Tuesday 20 October, 10am–3pm. FD3: Amendment of Specifications: Wednesday 21 October, 10am–1pm. FD2: Drafting of Specifications: Thursday 22 October, 10am–2pm.
These dates and times are published in the PEB examination information: https://www.cipa.org.uk/patent-examination-board/information/examination-information/
Check your examination arrangements
Before your examination, revisit the PEB’s essential information for candidates, technical requirements and designated-contact guidance, available through the examination information page.
If you took part in September’s trial examination, review any problems you encountered and make sure they have been resolved. Check your arrangements against the current official instructions, particularly if your equipment or examination location has changed since the trial.
Focus your remaining preparation
With limited revision time remaining, concentrate on tasks that help you produce a complete answer under examination conditions.
Timed practice can reveal where you lose time or leave issues unanswered. After each attempt, identify a small number of specific improvements and put them into practice in your next answer. Use the relevant syllabus, examination guidance and past-paper materials to keep your preparation focused.
The PEB states that the 2026 examinations are based on legal texts and case law in force on 1 April 2026. Keep that examination cut-off in mind when reviewing more recent developments.
We wish everyone sitting the October examinations well.