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Advance your IP Career: Prepare for the Patent Agents Qualifying Examination (PAQE) with our examination resources. Access Examiner's tips, FAQs, and past papers, along with examination statistics to support your preparation.
Last updated 5 September 2025
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Enrolment for the Patent Agents Qualifying Examination (QE) 2026
QE 2026 dates
· QE 2026 will take place from 05 to 08 January 2026.
· Enrolment for the QE 2026 will open on 08 September 2025 (0900h) and close on 19 September 2025 (1200h).
· Results of QE 2026 will be released on 26 June 2026.
Details of QE Papers
Date | Time | Paper | Venue |
05 January 2026 | 1330h | A | To be confirmed by December 2025 |
06 January 2026 | 1330h | B | |
07 January 2026 | 1330h | C | |
08 January 2026 | 1330h | D |
Patent Agents Qualifying Examination
The Patent Agents Qualifying Examination (QE) is a professional test that aspiring patent agents in Singapore must pass to be officially registered.
Pre-requisite for QE enrolment
An individual who wishes to enrol for the QE must first meet one of the following pre-requisites:
a) Passed the Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law course (GCIP) conducted by the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore;
b) Passed the modules under the Graduate Diploma in IP and Innovation Management (GDIPIM) or Master of IP and Innovation Management (MIPIM) conducted by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) that correspond to the QE paper(s) they are enrolling in.
These modules are:
QE Paper | Corresponding GDIPIM/ MIPIM modules |
Paper A | IPM 527 Patent Claims and IPM 529 Patent Applications |
Paper B | IPM 525 Patent Office Action |
Paper C | IPM 531 Patent Infringement and Validity |
Paper D | IPM 523 Patent Practice in Singapore |
c) Obtained approval from the Registrar to be exempted from complying with the requirement set out in Rule 6 of the Patents (Patent Agents) Rules 2001 to have passed GCIP, GDIPIM or MIPIM.
QE 2026 Examination Fee
It was announced in 2022 that a 2-Tier examination fee structure would be introduced and with effect from QE 2022 (held in January 2023), with candidates’ 4th QE attempt incurring a higher fee per paper:
Illustration 1
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 |
The definition of “attempts” has been revised to an attempt at each subject paper:
Illustration 2
Number of attempts of each QE paper | Examination Fee (inclusive of GST) | |
Tier 1 | First to third attempt | $642 per paper |
Tier 2 | Fourth and subsequent attempt | $1,284 per paper |
Under the revised 2-Tier examination fee structure, Tier 2 fee are payable earliest at QE 2026, with only attempts per paper made starting from QE 2022 considered for the purposes of calculating the number of attempts per paper.
Candidates are encouraged to ensure they are well prepared before attempting QE.
Enrolment Form
Candidates should submit the Enrolment Form (available only from 08 September 2025, 0900h) by 19 September 2025. More information on QE 2026 can be found in the updated Administrative Instructions.
QE 2026 Fees eligible for SkillsFuture credit
Candidates can use their SkillsFuture Credit to offset the Patent Agents Qualifying Examination (QE) 2026 fees.
As a base tier course, SkillsFuture Credit eligibility applies to Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above who are self-funding their examination. This helps candidates manage the cost of the examination, which is a mandatory requirement for qualifying as a patent agent in Singapore.
For detailed information about eligibility criteria and claim procedures, please visit the SkillsFuture website.
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)
Overall yearly statistics for Singapore Patent Agents Qualifying Examination 2025
Paper | Subject | Passing Rate | Total Number of candidates who attempted |
|---|---|---|---|
Paper A | Preparation of a Patent Specification | 15% | 33 |
Paper B | Amendment of a Patent Specification | 32% | 31 |
Paper C | Infringement and Validity of Singapore Patent | 23% | 35 |
Paper D | Knowledge of Patent Law and Patent Practice in Singapore | 13% | 16 |
Index numbers of the successful candidates are announced here [PDF, 123KB]
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 2026:
Examination Board
Mr Tan Kong Hwee
Chief Executive/Registrar, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
Mr Jason Chan
President, Asian Patent Attorneys Association
Mr Jonathan Foong
Chairperson of the IP Standing Committee, The Law Society of SingaporeMs Low Pei Lin
President, Association of Singapore Patent Attorneys (ASPA)
Examination Committee
Dr Andrew Loh
Sterling IP Pte Ltd.
Mr Chang Jian Ming
Rodyk IP
Ms Choo Chiou Yu
Spruson & Ferguson (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Mr David Ng
Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLP
Mr Edmund Kok
Amica Law LLCMr Edward Ng
Marks & Clerk Singapore LLPDr Eugene Yang
Amica Law LLC
Dr Freeman Yu
Synergy IP Pte. Ltd.Mr Hubert Giam
Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLP
Mr Jevon Louis
Shook Lin & Bok LLP
Dr Khoo Kian Hoe
Davies Collison Cave Asia Pte. Ltd.
Mr Koh Jiawei
Drew & Napier LLCMr Kwan Chungmin
Viering, Jentschura & Partner LLPMr Lim Teck Yeow
Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLPMdm Lo Wen Yu
Spruson & Ferguson (Asia) Pte. Ltd.Mr Martin Kwan
Marks & Clerk Singapore LLPDr Michael Koch
Viering, Jentschura & Partner LLPDr Soo Ee Lin
Spruson & Ferguson (Asia) Pte. Ltd.Ms Tan Shin-Yuan
China Sinda Intellectual Property Pte. Ltd.Dr Tony Lan
Yusarn AudreyMr Teo Kwang Chin
Viering, Jentschura & Partner LLPMs 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 C at QE 2021, Papers A and C at QE 2022 (held in January 2023), Papers B and C at QE 2024, and Papers C and D at QE 2025. I intend to attempt Papers C and D at QE 2026. Under the revised 2-Tier examination fee structure, what are the fees I need to pay for Papers C and D at QE 2026?
The QE paper attempt count under the revised 2-Tier examination fee structure starts only from QE 2022 (held in January 2023), i.e. any QE paper attempt prior to QE 2022 will not count as an attempt.
The fees payable are:
· Paper C: As you are attempting Paper C for the 4th time1, the applicable examination fee is the Tier 2 fee of $1,284.
· Paper D: As you are attempting Paper D for the 2nd time, the applicable examination fee is the Tier 1 fee of $642.
1 Your Paper C attempt at QE 2021 is not considered as an attempt under the 2-Tier examination fee structure.
3. I am not sure how the new 2-tier examination fee structure works. Can you tell me more?
Under both the current and revised 2-Tier examination fee structure, the number of attempts will be counted starting from QE 2022 onwards, i.e., any attempt at a QE prior to QE 2022 will not count as an attempt:
The table below will help illustrate the difference between the 2 fee structures:
QE | Papers attempted | Examination Fee (per paper) under the current fee structure | Examination Fee (per paper) under the revised fee structure |
2018 | Paper A | N.A. (Pre-2022 QE fee structure applied.) | |
2019 | Paper A | ||
2020 | Paper A | ||
2021 | Paper C | ||
2022 (held in January 2023) | Papers A and C | Paper A: $642, Paper C: $642 For fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 1st QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply to both papers. | Paper A: $642 Though this is the candidate’s 4th attempt at Paper A, for fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 1st attempt at Paper A. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. Paper C: $642 Though this is the candidate’s 2nd attempt at Paper C, for fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 1st attempt at Paper C. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. |
2024 | Papers B and C | Paper B: $642, Paper C: $642 For fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 2nd QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply to both papers. | Paper B: $642 This is the candidate’s 1st attempt at Paper B. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. Paper C: $642 Though this is the candidate’s 3rd attempt at Paper C, for fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 2nd attempt at Paper C. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. |
2025 | Papers C and D | Paper C: $642, Paper D: $642 For fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 3rd QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply to both papers. | Paper C: $642 Though this is the candidate’s 4th attempt at Paper C, for fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 3rd attempt at Paper C. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. Paper D: $642 This is the candidate’s 1st attempt at Paper D. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. |
2026 | Papers C and D | Paper C: $1,284, Paper D: $1,284 For fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 4th QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-2 fee will apply to both papers. | Paper C: $1,284 For fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 4th attempt at Paper C. Therefore, Tier-2 fee will apply. Paper D: $642 This is the candidate’s 2nd attempt at Paper D. Therefore, Tier-1 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 VarietiesMr Chig Kam Tack
Head, Registries of Patents, Designs and Plant VarietiesMs Huang Qinyi
Senior Assistant Director, Registries of Patents, Designs and Plant VarietiesMs 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