For IP Professionals

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 27 February 2026

Patent Agents Qualifying Examination (QE) 2026

QE 2026

Results of QE 2026 will be released on 26 June 2026.

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’ 4^th 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.

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)

2010 - 2025 [PDF, 50KB]

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 Singapore
Ms 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 LLC
Mr Edward Ng
Marks & Clerk Singapore LLP
Dr 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 LLC
Mr Kwan Chungmin
Viering, Jentschura & Partner LLP
Mr Lim Teck Yeow
Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLP
Mdm Lo Wen Yu
Spruson & Ferguson (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Mr Martin Kwan
Marks & Clerk Singapore LLP
Dr Michael Koch
Viering, Jentschura & Partner LLP
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 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 4^th time¹, the applicable examination fee is the Tier 2 fee of $1,284.

· Paper D: As you are attempting Paper D for the 2^nd 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 1^st QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply to both papers.	Paper A: $642 Though this is the candidate’s 4^th attempt at Paper A, for fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 1^st attempt at Paper A. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. Paper C: $642 Though this is the candidate’s 2^nd attempt at Paper C, for fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 1^stattempt 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 2^nd QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply to both papers.	Paper B: $642 This is the candidate’s 1^st attempt at Paper B. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. Paper C: $642 Though this is the candidate’s 3^rd attempt at Paper C, for fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 2^nd 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 3^rd QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply to both papers.	Paper C: $642 Though this is the candidate’s 4^th attempt at Paper C, for fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 3^rd attempt at Paper C. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. Paper D: $642 This is the candidate’s 1^st 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 4^th QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-2 fee will apply to both papers.	Paper C: $1,284 For fees’ purposes this is the candidate’s 4^th attempt at Paper C. Therefore, Tier-2 fee will apply. Paper D: $642 This is the candidate’s 2^nd 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 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

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