All 29 MPEP Chapters, Ranked by Exam Weight

The patent bar draws unevenly from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure: three chapters supply most questions while others barely appear. Each guide below shows the chapter's share of 1,198 released USPTO exam questions, its key topics, and how to study it.

1. 01MPEP 2100: Patentability535 pages · ~45.33% of released questions · Patent eligibility and the Alice/Mayo framework (35 U.S.C. 101); Novelty and prior art exceptions (35 U.S.C. 102)Highest weight
2. 02MPEP 700: Examination of Applications312 pages · ~15.86% of released questions · Office actions and rejections; Replies under 37 CFR 1.111Highest weight
3. 03MPEP 600: Parts, Form, and Content of Application240 pages · ~12.02% of released questions · Specification requirements (35 U.S.C. 112(a)); Claim form and definiteness (35 U.S.C. 112(b), (f))Highest weight
4. 04MPEP 500: Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers138 pages · ~4.42% of released questions · Certificate of mailing (37 CFR 1.8); Priority Mail Express (37 CFR 1.10)High weight
5. 05MPEP 1400: Correction of Patents176 pages · ~3.67% of released questions · Reissue applications (35 U.S.C. 251); Recapture doctrineHigh weight
6. 06MPEP 400: Representative of Applicant or Owner61 pages · ~2.5% of released questions · Power of attorney; Who may practice before the USPTOHigh weight
7. 07MPEP 1200: Appeal77 pages · ~2.17% of released questions · Notice of appeal and appeal fees; Appeal brief requirements (37 CFR 41.37)High weight
8. 08MPEP 200: Types, Cross-Noting, and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority Claims120 pages · ~2.09% of released questions · Continuation, divisional, and CIP applications; Benefit claims under 35 U.S.C. 120High weight
9. 09MPEP 2200: Citation of Prior Art and Ex Parte Reexamination of Patents199 pages · ~2% of released questions · Prior art citations (35 U.S.C. 301); Requesting ex parte reexaminationHigh weight
10. 10MPEP 800: Restriction in Applications Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 111; Double Patenting107 pages · ~1.67% of released questions · Restriction requirements (35 U.S.C. 121); Election of speciesMedium weight
11. 11MPEP 1500: Design Patents83 pages · ~1.59% of released questions · Design patentability and ornamentality; Design drawingsMedium weight
12. 12MPEP 1800: Patent Cooperation Treaty199 pages · ~1.42% of released questions · International phase and receiving Office; International search report and written opinionMedium weight
13. 13MPEP 100: Secrecy, Access, National Security, and Foreign Filing36 pages · ~1.25% of released questions · Secrecy orders (35 U.S.C. 181); Access to application filesMedium weight
14. 14MPEP 2700: Patent Terms, Adjustments, and Extensions90 pages · ~1% of released questions · 20-year term and its measurement; Patent term adjustment (35 U.S.C. 154(b))Medium weight
15. 15MPEP 300: Ownership and Assignment41 pages · ~0.58% of released questions · Assignments under 35 U.S.C. 261; Recordation and the Assignment DivisionMedium weight
16. 16MPEP 1100: Statutory Invention Registration (SIR); Pre-Grant Publication and Preissuance Submissions58 pages · ~0.42% of released questions · Pre-grant publication (35 U.S.C. 122(b)); Requests for early publicationLow weight
17. 17MPEP 2500: Maintenance Fees33 pages · ~0.42% of released questions · Maintenance fee schedule (3.5/7.5/11.5 years); Grace period and surchargeLow weight
18. 18MPEP 1300: Allowance and Issue34 pages · ~0.33% of released questions · Notice of allowance; Issue fee payment (37 CFR 1.18)Low weight
19. 19MPEP 1600: Plant Patents14 pages · ~0.33% of released questions · Plant patent eligibility (35 U.S.C. 161); Asexual reproduction requirementLow weight
20. 20MPEP 1900: Protest12 pages · ~0.25% of released questions · Protest requirements (37 CFR 1.291); Protest timing and publicationLow weight
21. 21MPEP 2000: Duty of Disclosure22 pages · ~0.25% of released questions · Duty of candor (37 CFR 1.56); Information disclosure statementsLow weight
22. 22MPEP 1000: Matters Decided by Various U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Officials21 pages · ~0.17% of released questions · Petition authority and routing; Director, Commissioner, and TC Director rolesLow weight
23. 23MPEP 1700: Miscellaneous12 pages · ~0.17% of released questions · Miscellaneous USPTO provisions; Cross-references to other chaptersLow weight
24. 24MPEP 2300: Interference and Derivation Proceedings29 pages · ~0.08% of released questions · Derivation proceedings; First-inventor-to-file transitionLow weight
25. 25MPEP 900: Prior Art, Classification, and Search57 pages · reference chapter · Prior art categories; CPC classificationReference
26. 26MPEP 2400: Biotechnology118 pages · reference chapter · Sequence listings (ST.26); Deposit of biological materialsReference
27. 27MPEP 2600: Optional Inter Partes Reexamination14 pages · reference chapter · Legacy inter partes reexamination; Transition to inter partes reviewReference
28. 28MPEP 2800: Supplemental Examination65 pages · reference chapter · Supplemental examination requests (35 U.S.C. 257); Effect on inequitable conductReference
29. 29MPEP 2900: International Design Applications55 pages · reference chapter · Hague Agreement basics; U.S. designation and examinationReference