The Definitive FD2 Training Programme

The UK patent drafting exam (FD2) is one of the hardest exams in the whole of the patent profession.

The average FD2 pass rate since 2016 has been just over 40 – the lowest of all the Final Diploma (FD) papers over that period.

Just to rephrase that, on average, almost 60% of candidates who have taken FD2 since 2016 have failed it.

This includes candidates who have self-studied, candidates who have been on revision courses, and candidates who have had assistance from their employer.

The FD2 exam’s only held once a year so, if you don’t pass, you have to wait a full year before you can try again.

That’s why it’s so important to prepare properly for FD2.

We’re not just talking about revision courses, which can be lacking in the past paper practice and individual feedback you need to give yourself the best chance of passing FD2.

We’re talking about a training programme designed from the ground up and led by the patent attorney widely recognised as the leading tutor on FD2: Iain Russell.

The How To Pass FD2 Training Programme offers a less expensive and more comprehensive way to prepare for FD2…

All course content is available online, so you can access it whenever and from wherever you want
Online course content is divided up into smaller topics, so you can digest one topic before moving on to the next
Online course content features mini quizzes so you can test your understanding as you progress through the materials
Understand exam technique before you start attempting past papers
Individual feedback available on three FD2 past papers so you can refine your technique through past paper practice
Different training packages to suit different candidates' needs

Why choose The How To Pass FD2 Training Programme

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Trainee patent attorneys have registered for the How To Pass FD2 Training Programme since 2022

Months over which the Programme is spread to allow you time to learn exam technique and put it into repeated practice

FD2 past papers on which you can get individual feedback on your answers (2013, 2014, 2019)

FD2 past papers for which How To Pass FD2 debrief notes are available (1999, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019)

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Qualified UK patent attorneys involved in supporting candidates on the How To Pass FD2 Training Programme

The Go-To FD2 Expert

Almost 15 years ago, I wrote the only official guide to the exam (the CIPA Study Guide to FD2).

Since then, I have guided 500+ trainees on their journey to becoming qualified UK patent attorneys, through various programmes and providers.

Now, with the How to Pass FD2 Training Programme, there’s only one place where you can benefit from my skill, experience, and help: right here.

Designed for employers

If you have trainees in your firm that you need to progress to the next level, this is the course for you. The course content is fully online to have minimal impact on your, and your employees’, day-to-day schedules.

Designed for candidates

The How To Pass FD2 Training Programme caters for different candidates’ needs: from building your exam technique only to having several past paper answers reviewed.

The group size is capped for one of the two training packages, with registration taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. So don’t delay if you’d like to guarantee your place on this year’s Programme.

Testimonials

“I found Iain's How To Pass FD2 incredibly useful as a tool for understanding and preparing for the FD2 exam. As someone in-house who works with outside counsel a lot, I had more limited practical drafting experience than many candidates, so I was very nervous about FD2. However this course helped firm up what I needed to know before the exam and ensure I was well prepared. Thanks to my company, I got to compare this to other courses, and none had the breadth and depth of Iain's: the format means it can serve as a much more in depth preparation for the exam. It exposed me to a large number of different papers, and prepared me for the many different things that FD2 papers may try to test on, whilst also guiding how to pick up the easy marks. Furthermore, as someone preparing for other exams, the course also helped set a framework for revision and preparation I found could be applied to the other FD papers. I would strongly recommend it.”

“I've taken the drafting of specifications paper 6 times and was losing hope. The How To Pass FD2 course taught me a structured way of tackling the exam. Iain shared practical tips and exam techniques which I applied in the FD2 exam. I passed FD2 right after taking his course! I'd recommend the course to FD2 candidates regardless of their level of drafting experience.”

“This was a really useful course that broke down exactly what we should be doing in the exam. There were lots of different techniques available so that we could pick what worked for us best. I found some of the fundamentals that Iain taught to be really helpful in my everyday work too. Iain was a great tutor and I feel very lucky to have been able to have taken part in this training! The feedback I received was good and thought provoking, to help me reach the best answers. Thanks Iain!”

“Iain's "How to Pass FD2" training programme has been really helpful for me to schedule time to dedicate to preparing for FD2 between other exams and learning how to approach the paper. I think my past paper attempts are getting better.”

“Iain has a wealth of experience in the world of FD2, which really comes across in his course. Iain explains everything in a clear, understandable and relatable manner, and I personally found the extended nature of the course (instead of a 1-2 day intensive revision course) particularly helpful for retention.”

“I couldn't have asked for more. The course structure was comprehensive in covering basic topics through presentations and then working on the past exams.”

“For me, this course gave me more than I could have ever gained from doing past papers on my own. The systematic and slow approach made the exam go from something I did not think I could do to something I felt confident that I could tackle and provide a good answer for, whatever the exam question.”

“Iain's approachable teaching style and breakdowns of FD2 past papers really helped boost my confidence in being able to tackle FD2. I would highly recommend this course.”

“Very helpful course with lots of practical tips on how to distil down the FD2 paper to the invention that should be claimed and how to claim it.”

“I highly recommend that you take this Programme - I enjoyed the sessions and picked up techniques that would help me for the exam!”

“Iain's course provides thorough preparation for the FD2 exam to accompany his fantastic book!”

How It Works

At the moment, most FD2 candidates learn on their own, have guidance from their employer or go on a revision course.

Since 2016, on average, almost 60% of the people that take the exam fail. This can delay career progression.

The How to Pass FD2 Training Programme is built differently.

There is significantly more time available for learning, reviewing and practising past papers.

The Programme is designed and led by an experienced patent attorney – the same person that wrote the official guide on studying for FD2.

Here’s how it all works:

Fully online
No previous FD2 exam experience is required – candidates are only required to have read the CIPA Study Guide to FD2 before they start on the programme
The Programme starts with access to exam technique materials a long way before the exam itself and before past paper practice starts
Candidates can then put their exam technique learnings into practice by applying them to a series of FD2 past papers
Candidates can choose to have individual feedback on those past paper attempts to refine their technique and increase their prospects of passing FD2