10 Helpful Tips to Pass the Philippine Bar Exams

The Philippine Bar exams for aspiring lawyers are thought to be the most difficult among all types of licensure examinations in the country. Lumina Homes recognizes the fact that finishing law school alone is mentally grueling enough, what more taking the Philippine Bar exams, right?

Last year, the country registered a record-high national passing rate of 72.28 % or 8,241 passers out of 11,402 takers, the highest since 1954. 

This should give aspiring lawyers who are having doubts about their capabilities the optimism that passing the Bar exams is doable, to say the least. At the same time, it should not give them full confidence, either, that the exams will be any less mentally taxing. 

In this article, we will cover tips and ways that aspiring attorneys and lawyers can pass the Philippine Bar exams, which is also regarded to be one of the hardest law-related licensure examinations in the world by a legal website. 

What is the Philippine Bar Exam?

The Philippine Bar Examination is the licensure examination for aspiring lawyers in the country. It is notoriously one of the hardest and has a history of an annually low national passing rate until recently (before the historic 2020-2021 digitized Bar exams due to the COVID pandemic, the passing rate in 2019 was a measly 27.36 %). It is solely administered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Who Are Allowed to Take the Bar Exams?

Needless to say, not all aspirants could take the Bar exams. The Philippine high court rules that the test-takers meet the following requirements:

1. A Filipino Citizen
2. At least 21 years old
3. Must be of good moral character
4. A resident of the Philippines

Subjects Covered in the Philippine Bar Exams

One of the main reasons the Philippine Bar Examination is thought to be one of the hardest in the world is the number of subjects covered (eight). In order to pass, takers need to obtain a general average of 75% in all law subjects, and must not fall (and fail) below 50% in any of the subjects. But it’s worth noting that the Philippine Supreme Court has the authority to change the imposed passing average. 

The 2022 Bar exams will be held for four (4) days in the second and third week of November (9, 13, 16, 20). According to an earlier Bar Bulletin, the core eight subjects are as follows:

• Day One: Political and International Law (with related tax principles) and Labor Law

• Day Two: Criminal Law (and practical exercises) and Commercial Law (or Mercantile Law)

• Day Three: Civil Law I and Civil Law II (and practical exercises) 

• Day Four: Remedial Law I and Remedial Law II (with basic tax remedies) and Legal Ethics

Bar Exam 2022 Philippines: 10 Passing Tips

After last year's successful and first-ever digitalized test for the Bar exams, Bar Chair and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa stated that they will continue using Examplify, a secure examination delivery program that will enable takers to use their own devices while being closely monitored by in-person proctors as well as closed circuit television cameras (CCTV).

The Bar Committee is hopeful that the success of last year's digitized Bar exams would be echoed this year. Without further ado, below are our top 10 tips to pass the notoriously arduous Philippine Bar exams.

1. Enroll in a review center.

It’s not a requirement for future test-takers to enroll in a review center, but it’s going to help you prepare for the big, eventful day(s). Just like as a student, being in a room full of hopefuls with a professor lecturing you for upcoming exams is a way to study with inspiring lectures from a teacher and a sense of shared empathy among fellow aspirants.

Below is a list of review centers in the Philippines to prepare for the 2022 Bar examinations.

• Albano Bar Review Center
• San Sebastian College - Recoletos Bar Review
• University of the Philippines Law Center
• Arellano University School of Law
• Ateneo Law School
• Jurists Bar Review Center
• CPRS Bar Review Centers
• ChanRobles Professional Review, Inc
• Legal Edge Bar Review
• Villasis Law Center

2. Come up with a study and schedule guide

It helps a lot to be organized when you’re in law school. You could apply this as well when preparing for the bar exams by coming up with a schedule of days when you will cram for law subjects. It is not advisable that you prepare for the big day a month before. Ideally, you should prepare for it five to six months prior. This gives you more time to review and prepare since the coverage is broad.

3. Ace the basics first

Before you could go on and be able to answer the toughest law questions, mastering the basics is essential. This will guarantee you not to worry too much about underestimating basic questions. By doing so, you could proceed smoothly with the more nerve-wracking law questions. 

4. Don’t focus on new books

You don’t have to buy new law books to maximize your Bar exam preparation. Go instead with books and law school manuals you are already familiar and comfortable reviewing with.

5. Determine if a review center is for you.

As mentioned, it is not a requirement that you enroll in a review class to prepare for the Philippine Bar exam. Some are more comfortable and productive when studying alone and at home. But some do get interested in attending review classes based on the teacher’s way of teaching, as well as the quality in which the review session is being delivered. 

6. Review through case digests

Reading an entire case is tedious. This is where reading case digests conveniently come in, where cases are condensed and summarized without missing important parts. Maximize your review preparations by not reading the entirety of all cases, which is time-consuming. Plus, it could be boring and you might even lose interest. 

7. Tap a study buddy.

Having somebody that you could review with may seem like a distraction. But for those who would eventually need to test their memory through question-and-answers, a study buddy helps big time in your review. It would help even more if your study is a fellow law graduate also reviewing for the Bar. This way, you both have a clear goal and will refrain from turning your study session into a movie binge-watching.

8. Conduct a re-review session.

A first reading does not guarantee retention of what you've reviewed. A second reading will then help you test your retention and comprehension capabilities.

9. Review archives of past Bar exam questions.

Questions from past Philippine Bar exams are repeated. There are available archives of past Bar exam questions online. Make convenient use of those and include them in your self-study sessions.

10. Don't forget to take breaks.

Overstudying does more harm than good, especially for your health. You can study every day, especially during your weekends, but do it with frequent breaks. Make sure that you still have time for yourself and for your family. You got this! The next thing you know, you are already taking oath at the Supreme Court building. Surviving law school is already a badge of honor. But for now, good luck!

An Investment every Future Lawyer deserves

Lawyering is "not merely a vocation" but a public trust that requires lawyers the obligation of giving back to their communities, said Janet Reno, a former US attorney general. The Philippine Bar Exam will test every aspiring lawyer's intellectual readiness for the tough job of lawyering. But more than passing, the most indispensable thing to do is to lawyer for the oppressed and marginalized, and therefore, as attorney Reno emphasized, give back to the people and the community.

Lumina Homes wishes future lawyers the success they deserve for years of emotional and intellectual challenges. Surviving law school is already a badge of honor. As exams commence this month, the long wait is over, and the next thing you know, you are already taking oath at the Supreme Court building. We wish everyone good luck!

Meanwhile, if you have inquiries about any of our affordable house and lot units for future occupancy, feel free to ride on a virtual tour of available properties, and send us a message to get the chance to grab an exclusive Lumina house and lot in the Philippines entirely online!