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The Ultimate Guide to Studying and Taking the Patent Bar: Recommended Study Materials and Resources

What are some resources to learn about the patent bar and help me study?

Many library guides seem to show treatises and study materials. We were surprised that many are over ten years old. For this reason, we will not select any traditionally published secondary sources, perhaps with one exception. This approach is supported by scores of Franklin Pierce students who have chosen to exclusively use the materials provided by the bar review course they choose. Their reasoning is that going beyond review materials results in too much information - some of it out of date. Below are study sources chosen by the various patent bar study courses.

The one source we recommend has the the "bible" for studying patent practice for decades. Note that if your school has access to PLI Plus, you have no cost access to this title. Many students have shared that they use this resource to clarify when they find something confusing in review materials or exam questions.

By Jeffrey G. Sheldon How to Write a Patent Application 2nd Ed  (Intellectual Property Law Library) (2nd Edition): Jeffrey G. Sheldon:  Amazon.com: Books

 

From the Patent Bar Courses:

Top 5 Best Patent Bar Exam Prep Books for Successful Study Plans

The Basics

To prepare effectively for the patent bar exam, it’s essential to have access to comprehensive study materials that cover all relevant topics tested on the examination. Some recommended resources include:

  1. MPEP: The primary resource used during preparation should be the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), which is the official USPTO publication containing guidelines for patent examiners and practitioners. It can be accessed online or purchased in print.
  2. Study Guides: Various commercial study guides and tools of various types are available that provide a comprehensive overview of the material covered on the exam.
  3. Practice Exams: Taking practice exams is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the test format and identify areas where you may need additional review. The USPTO provides some sample questions on its website, while other resources offer full-length practice tests, including questions drafted by their expert instructors.
  4. Past Exams: Studying past exams can also help you understand what types of questions will appear on your test day. Past exams are available through various sources, including PatBar.com and PES-System.com.