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Last updated 26 March 2025

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Enrolment for Patent Agents Qualifying Examination (QE) 2025

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Enrolment for Patent Agents Qualifying Examination (QE) 2025

QE 2025 dates

QE 2025 will take place from 6 to 9 January 2025.
Enrolment for QE 2025 will start from 2 September 2024 to 13 September 2024.
Results of QE 2025 will be released on 27 June 2025.

Pre-requisite for QE enrolment

It is a requirement to pass the corresponding modules in the Graduate Diploma in IP and Innovation Management (GDIPIM) or the Master of IP and Innovation Management (MIPIM), conducted by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), prior to enrolling in the QE.

QE 2025 Examination Fee

	Number of QE attempts	Examination Fee (inclusive of GST)
Tier 1	First to third attempt	$ 642 per paper
Tier 2	Fourth and subsequent attempt	$ 1,284 per paper

Please note that the examination fee is $642 per paper (inclusive of GST).

Tier 2 fee will be payable earliest at QE 2026. Please note that attempts starting from QE2022 will be considered for the purposes of calculating the number of attempts.

Candidates are encouraged to ensure they are well prepared before attempting QE.

More information on QE2025 can be found in the Administrative Instructions for Candidates QE2025 [PDF, 312 KB].

Related information

Examiner's tips, FAQs and past papers

General tips and FAQs

Do refer here for Examiner's Tips and FAQs [PDF, 225 KB].

Download past papers (go.gov zip files)

Note: With effect from QE2022, examples of passing scripts are also published for reference. It is important to note that the scripts have not been revised for accuracy and should not be regarded as model answers.

Statistic on Patent Agent Qualifying Examination results

Statistics on who enrolled for QE for the first time (without exemptions)

2010 - 2024 [PDF, 126 KB]

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2024

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	18%	40
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	21%	29
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	16%	25
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	54%	24

Index numbers of the successful candidates are announced here [PDF, 195 KB].

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2022

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	16%	32
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	17%	24
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	38%	26
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	55%	22

Index numbers of the successful candidates are announced here [PDF, 120 KB].

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2021

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	9.1%	33
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	31.1%	32
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	14.3%	21
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	6.7%	30

Index numbers of the successful ,candidates are announced here [PDF, 114 KB].

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2020

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	20%	35
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	10%	30
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	40%	30
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	23.9%	46

The index numbers of the successful candidates are announced here [PDF, 114 KB].

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2019

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	13.9%	36
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	20%	45
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	14.3%	35
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	12%	50

The index numbers of the successful candidates are announced here [PDF, 440 KB].

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2018

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	28.6%	28
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	13.5%	37
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	28.6%	28
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	4.2%	48

The index numbers of the successful candidates are announced here [PDF, 357 KB].

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2017

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	14.7%	34
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	12.5%	40
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	21.9%	32
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	23.3%	43

The index numbers of the successful candidates are announced here [PDF, 197 KB].

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2016

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	41.2%	17
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	21.4%	28
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	26.3%	19
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	28.9%	45

The index numbers of the successful candidates are announced here [PDF, 200 KB].

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2015

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	38.5%	13
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	26.7%	15
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	11.1%	18
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	36.4%	44

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2014

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	19.2%	26
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	29.2%	24
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	5.6%	18
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	28%	25

Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2013

Paper	Subject	Passing Rate	Total number of candidates who attempted
Paper A	Preparation of a Patent Specification	29.4%	17
Paper B	Amendment of a Patent Specification	50%	16
Paper C	Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent	38.5%	26
Paper D	Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore	32.4%	37

Patent Agent Examination Qualifying Bodies

The Registrar has established the following bodies to assist in the conduct of QE 2024:

Examination Board

Mrs Rena Lee
Chief Executive/Registrar, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
Mr Lam Chung Nian
President, Asian Patent Attorneys Association (Singapore Group)
Mr Jonathan Foong
Chairperson of the IP Standing Committee, The Law Society of Singapore
Ms Low Pei Lin
President, Association of Singapore Patent Attorneys (ASPA)

Examination Committee

Mr Chang Jian Ming
Rodyk IP

Ms Cheryl Pang
REC Solar Pte. Ltd.
Ms Choo Chiou Yu
Spruson & Ferguson (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Mr Daniel Lee
Dyson Operations Pte. Ltd.

Mr David Ng
Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLP

Mr Edmund Kok
Amica Law LLC
Mr Edward Ng
Marks & Clerk Singapore LLP
Dr Freeman Yu
Synergy IP Pte. Ltd.
Mr Hubert Giam
Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLP

Ms Kristen Lim
Shook Lim & Bok LLC

Dr Khoo Kian Hoe
Davies Collison Cave Asia Pte. Ltd.
Mr Kwan Chungmin
Viering, Jentschura & Partner LLP
Mr Lim Teck Yeow
Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLP
Ms Lo Wen Yu
Amica Law LLC
Mr Martin Kwan
Bird & Bird ATMD LLP
Dr Michael Koch
Viering, Jentschura & Partner LLP
Mr Seow Kian Chiew
China Sinda Intellectual Property Pte. Ltd.
Dr Soo Ee Lin
Spruson & Ferguson (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Ms Tan Shin-Yuan
China Sinda Intellectual Property Pte. Ltd.
Dr Tony Lan
Yusarn Audrey
Mr Teo Kwang Chin
Viering, Jentschura & Partner LLP
Ms Tan Hui Leng
Bird & Bird ATMD LLP

Examination Secretariat

Mr Chig Kam Tack
Head, Patent Agents Unit, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

FAQs

GDIPIM/MIPIM pre-requisite

1. Why implement this pre-requisite for QE enrolment?

The pre-requisite of passing corresponding modules prior to enrolling for the relevant QE papers aims to have prospective QE candidates better prepared for the examinations.

2. What documents do I need to submit to enrol for QE?

a) For candidates who have passed GCIP or the GDIPIM/MIPIM module(s) corresponding to the QE paper(s) they are enrolling in, documents to show that they have passed the relevant course/module(s), e.g., official transcript, notification of results from the school.

b) For candidates who are currently taking the GDIPIM/MIPIM module(s) corresponding to the QE paper(s) they are enrolling in, documents showing that they have passed the relevant module(s). These documents must be submitted to IPOS by 27 December 2022;

c) For candidates who intend to seek an exemption of the requirement set out in Rule 6 of the Patents (Patent Agents) Rules 2001 to pass GCIP, GDIPIM or MIPIM, documents to show that they passed a course or module they see as equivalent to GCIP, GDIPIM or MIPIM.

3. I have already passed Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property (GCIP). Will the pre-requisite apply to me?

No. The pre-requisite is not applicable to candidates who have already passed Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law (GCIP).

4. What are the modules in the Graduate Diploma in IP and Innovation Management (GDIPIM) and the Master of IP and Innovation Management (MIPIM) that will prepare candidates for QE?

Overview of modules and respective papers

GDIPIM/MIPIM Patent Agency modules	Prepares candidates for QE
IPM527 – Patent Claims	Paper A
IPM529 – Patent Applications	Paper A
IPM525 – Patent Office Action	Paper B
IPM531 – Patent Infringement and Validity	Paper C
IPM523 – Patent Practice Singapore	Paper D

5. I have worked as a Patent Examiner in Singapore for at least 7 years and am pursuing registration as a patent agent under Rule 6(3) of the Patents Patent Agents) Rules 2001. Will the pre-requisite apply to me?

Under Rule 6(3), you are only required to pass QE Papers A and C. As such, the pre-requisite applies to you in relation to these two papers. In order to enrol for QE Papers A and C, you will first have to pass the corresponding GDIPIM/MIPIM modules, namely IPM527 – Patent Claims and IPM529 – Patent Applications, and IPM531 – Patent Infringement and Validity, respectively.

6. I have already passed all the GDIPIM/MIPIM modules except for IPM523. I attempted Paper D at past QEs but have yet to pass the paper. I intend to take Paper D again at QE 2022. Can I do so?

You will be able to enrol for Paper D at QE 2022, only if you have passed IPM523 at the time of enrolment for QE 2022.

Candidates are encouraged to attempt QE only after undergoing a minimum of one-year internship in patent agency work. Together with the modules, these will provide candidates with the knowledge and practical work experience to attempt QE. There is, however, no requirement that you need to attempt these papers, or any other combination of papers, in one QE sitting.

7. I have already passed GCIP. Can I take specific modules to help me better prepare for QE?

Yes. Each of these 5 modules can be taken as Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses offered by SUSS.

8. I am currently taking GDIPIM/MIPIM module IPM 525 and I intend to take QE Paper B at QE 2022. I will only know if I passed IPM 525 in early December 2022. Can I still enrol for Paper B?

You should first enrol and subsequently complete the enrolment process by submitting document(s) showing that you have passed IPM 525. The documents should be submitted by 27 December 2022. In the event you subsequently did not manage to pass IPM 525, you will be entitled to a refund of the examination fee for Paper B.

Fees

1. Why is there a need for a 2-tier examination fee structure?

The 2-tier fee structure will encourage candidates to sit for the QE when they feel that they are sufficiently prepared for the QE.

2. I attempted Paper D in 2019 and 2020, and Papers A and B in 2021. I intend to take Paper C at QE 2022. As QE 2022 is my fourth attempt, do I have to pay the Tier 2 fee for Paper C?

No, you do not have to pay the Tier-2 examination fee at QE 2022. The QE attempt count under the new 2-tier examination fee structure starts only from QE 2022, therefore QE 2022 will count as your first QE attempt. As such, the applicable examination fee is the Tier-1 fee of $642 (inclusive of GST).

3. I am not sure how the new 2-tier examination fee structure works. Can you tell me more?

The new examination fee structure will start counting the number of QE attempts only from QE 2022 onwards. This means that any attempt at a QE prior to QE 2022 will not count as an attempt under this examination fee structure.

The table below will help illustrate this:

Examination fees

QE Year	Papers attempted	Examination Fee (per paper)	Remarks
2018	Papers A and C	$428	-
2019	Paper A	$428	-
2020	Did not attempt QE	-	-
2021	Paper A	$428	-
2022 (to be held in Jan 2023)	Paper D	$642	Though this is the candidate’s fourth QE attempt, this is the candidate’s first attempt for fees’ purposes. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply.
2023	Paper D	$642	For fees’ purposes, this is the candidate’s second QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply.
2024	Paper B	$642	For fees’ purposes, this is the candidate’s third QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply.
2025	Paper B	$1,284	For fees’ purposes, this is the candidate’s fourth QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-2 fee will apply.

The contact address of the Examination Board, Examination Committee and Examination Secretariat is as follows:

Ms Sharmaine Wu
Director, Registries of Patents, Designs and Plant Varieties
Mr Chig Kam Tack
Head, Registries of Patents, Designs and Plant Varieties
Ms Huang Qinyi
Senior Assistant Director, Registries of Patents, Designs and Plant Varieties
Ms Foong Shu Ling
Senior Executive, Registries of Patents, Designs and Plant Varieties

Patent Agent Unit’s email contact: ipos_pau@ipos.gov.sg

Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
1 Paya Lebar Link, #11-03
PLQ 1, Paya Lebar Quarter
Singapore 408533