In a previous post we observed that the EQE
opposition paper has been reduced to manageable size and there are less
opportunities to go wrong. It follows that candidates have a better chance that
their preparations will be rewarded by success.
The new-format opposition paper nevertheless
remains a challenge. Whereas there are less attacks and less opportunities to
go wrong, less attacks means more credit per attack, and in case of a wrong
attack or an attack that is correct but poorly presented, there is more credit
to be lost. This dramatically shortens the path to failure in case of error.
As in the past, candidates will be well
advised to develop a systematic approach for identifying attacks.
Its important to make sure of choosing the
correct attack, lack of novelty or inventive step. For this, its going to be
ever more important to focus long-term on the razor-edged novel/not-novel
boundary.
Practice can be rounded off by writing attacks
under timed conditions, aiming for high quality.
You can develop the right approach from the
EQE Comprehensive book (details here)
and by attending the PATSKILLS Opposition Course (www.patskills.ch).
Brian Cronin
PATSKILLS
