2026 Comparison ✓ Verified for MPEP Ninth Edition, Rev. 01.2024 (Nov 2024) Updated for 2026 Exam Window

PLI Patent Bar Review — Alternative Compared

Practising Law Institute (PLI) offers a comprehensive video-lecture Patent Bar course priced at $1,995 to $2,995, whereas patentbarexam.app is a modern, active-recall alternative ($49 Hero / $89 Master — Launch 50% off: $24 / $44) built for examinees who want 400 (Hero) or 800 (Master) MPEP Rev. 01.2024 practice questions from a 1,000-question bank, clickable MPEP citations, and timed Prometric mock exams for a fraction of PLI’s $2,995 course.

Key 2026 Takeaways at a Glance

✓ A fraction of PLI’s $2,995 course for self-funded Patent Bar examinees.
✓ Start immediately with 50 free questions in your browser—no shipping wait for physical binders.
✓ Train directly with MPEP Ninth Edition, Rev. 01.2024 clickable section links.

Test Yourself Right Now • Zero Login Required

Practice MPEP 700 Examination Practice Questions (MPEP Rev. 01.2024 Cited)

Practice MPEP 700 Examination Practice Questions → 50 Free Questions

Factual Comparison: PLI Patent Bar Course vs. patentbarexam.app

Both platforms share the same goal—helping you score 70%+ (63/90) at Prometric—but use fundamentally different instructional models and pricing structures:

Dimension	PLI Patent Bar Review	patentbarexam.app
Standard Price	$2,995 (Student discounts ~$1,995)	$49 Hero / $89 Master (Launch 50% off: $24 / $44)
Free Un-Gated Practice	No	Yes — 50 Free Questions + 10-Q Timed Mock (No Login)
Question Bank Tiers	Included in $2,995 bundle	1,000-Question Bank (Free = 50, Hero = 400, Master = 800)
Core Pedagogy	60+ Hours of Video Lectures + Printed Binders + Patware	Active Recall Question Bank + Direct MPEP Lookup + 32 Written Guides
MPEP Source Verification	References in explanation text	1-Click Deep Links to Official USPTO MPEP & 37 CFR / 35 U.S.C.
Mobile & PWA Offline Support	Desktop-focused software	Installable PWA — Practice on Phone, Tablet, or Desktop

How This Topic Fits Into the 2026 USPTO Registration Examination Blueprint

Every question on the USPTO Patent Bar Exam traces directly back to three primary legal authorities loaded onto Prometric testing workstations: Title 35 of the United States Code (35 U.S.C. 101 Subject Matter Eligibility, 35 U.S.C. 102 Novelty & Prior Art, 35 U.S.C. 103 Obviousness, and 35 U.S.C. 112 Specification & Claims), Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations (37 CFR Parts 1, 11, 41, and 42), and the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP Ninth Edition, Rev. 01.2024).

Prometric Exam Day Execution Checklist

During each 3-hour, 50-question Prometric session, you have exactly 3.6 minutes (216 seconds) per question. High-scoring candidates answer 35 to 40 questions on their first pass using memorized rules from MPEP 700, MPEP 200, MPEP 600, and MPEP 1800, and reserve the final 50–60 minutes to look up marked edge-case exceptions in the on-screen MPEP PDF viewer.

AIA vs. Pre-AIA & Deadline Verification Protocol

Before selecting an option on any Patent Bar question, run a three-point check: (1) check the effective filing date against the March 16, 2013 AIA transition date, (2) verify whether the deadline is extendable under 37 CFR 1.136(a) or non-extendable by statute (such as the 12-month provisional period, 6-month maximum reply cap, or 2-year broadening reissue rule in MPEP 1400), and (3) check whether the proceeding is before the examiner, the PTAB (MPEP 1200), or Ex Parte Reexamination (MPEP 2200).

To turn passive reading into a passing 70%+ score (63 out of 90 scored questions), pair this guide with active question drills in our Free 50-Question Practice Hub, review worked hypotheticals on our Example Questions page, and benchmark your lookup speed in the Timed Patent Bar Mock Exam Simulator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there such a large price difference between PLI and patentbarexam.app?

PLI produces multi-day recorded lecture programs, ships heavy printed binder sets, and prices its course for corporate law firm expense accounts. patentbarexam.app is a software-first 1,000-question bank and guide library built on MPEP Ninth Edition, Rev. 01.2024 with zero physical shipping overhead.

Do I need video lectures if I read the guides and practice 800 MPEP questions?

Most engineers, scientists, and law students read 3x faster than a lecturer speaks. By reading our structured chapter guides and immediately testing yourself with MPEP-cited questions, you spend 100% of your study hours actively engaging with tested rules.