What is the BAR Exam Philippines ? : Check Eligibility Criteria, Selection & Results

What is the BAR Exam Philippines ? : Check Eligibility Criteria, Selection & Results :- The BAR Exam Philippines is a Licensure Examination for aspiring lawyers in the Philippines. It is administered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines through the Supreme Court Bar Examination Committee. The exam is held annually, usually on the second and third Sundays of November.

The BAR Exam covers a wide range of topics in Philippine law, including:

• Political and International Law
• Labor Law
• Criminal Law
• Commercial Law
• Civil Law
• Taxation Law
• Remedial Law
• Legal and Judicial Ethics

The exam is a four-day exam, with two subjects tested each day. The exam format is a combination of essay and multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, you must obtain a general average of 75% in all bar subjects, and must not fall below 50% in any of the subjects. The BAR Exam is notoriously difficult, with a passing rate of around 20%. However, it is a necessary requirement for anyone who wants to practice law in the Philippines. If you pass the BAR Exam, you will be invited to take the oath of office and become a lawyer. Once you have taken the oath of office, you will be officially admitted to the practice of law in the Philippines and can start your legal career.

Who is Eligible to take the BAR Exam Philippines ?

To be eligible to take the BAR Exam Philippines, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a Filipino citizen.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Be a resident of the Philippines.
• Be of good moral character.
• Hold a professional degree in law from a recognized law school in the Philippines.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree with academic credits in certain required subjects from a recognized college or university in the Philippines or abroad.

In addition to these general requirements, there are also specific requirements for students who have studied law abroad. For example, students who have studied law in the United States must have completed a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-approved law school.

If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible to take the BAR Exam Philippines, you should contact the Supreme Court Bar Examination Committee.

How to Apply for the BAR Exam Philippines

To Apply for the BAR Exam Philippines, you must follow these steps:

1. Go to the Supreme Court of the Philippines website (https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/)
2. Click on the “BAR Examination” tab
3. Click on the “Application” link
4. Create an account and fill out the online application form
5. Upload the required supporting documents, including:
   • Certified true copy of your law diploma and transcript of records
   • Certified true copy of your bachelor’s degree diploma and transcript of records
   • NBI clearance
   • Barangay clearance
   • Certificate of good moral character from your law school dean and the Supreme Court Integrated Bar of the Philippines
   • Two recent passport-sized photos
6. Pay the application fee

Once you have completed the application process and paid the application fee, your application will be reviewed by the Supreme Court Bar Examination Committee. If your application is approved, you will be issued a notice of admission to the BAR Exam.

The BAR Exam is usually held on the second and third Sundays of November. To prepare for the exam, you should start studying early and use a variety of study materials. You should also practice answering bar exam-style questions and form a study group with other bar examinees.

What is the BAR Exam Philippines Format ?

The BAR Exam Philippines is a four-day examination, with two subjects tested each day. The subjects are:

• Day 1: Political and International Law (with related tax principles) and Labor Law
• Day 2: Criminal Law (and practical exercises) and Commercial Law (or Mercantile Law)
• Day 3: Civil Law and Taxation Law
• Day 4: Remedial Law and Legal and Judicial Ethics

The exam format is a combination of essay and multiple-choice questions. The essay questions are worth 60% of the total score for each subject, while the multiple-choice questions are worth 40%.

To pass the BAR Exam, you must obtain a general average of 75% in all bar subjects, and must not fall below 50% in any of the subjects.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the exam format for each subject:

Political and International Law (with related tax principles)

• 2 essay questions (30% each)
• 1 multiple-choice question (40%)

Labor Law

• 2 essay questions (30% each)
• 1 multiple-choice question (40%)

Criminal Law

• 1 essay question (30%)
• 2 multiple-choice questions (40%)
• Practical exercises (30%)

Commercial Law (or Mercantile Law)

• 2 essay questions (30% each)
• 1 multiple-choice question (40%)

Civil Law

• 2 essay questions (30% each)
• 1 multiple-choice question (40%)

Taxation Law

• 2 essay questions (30% each)
• 1 multiple-choice question (40%)

Remedial Law

• 2 essay questions (30% each)
• 1 multiple-choice question (40%)

Legal and Judicial Ethics

• 2 essay questions (30% each)
• 1 multiple-choice question (40%)

How is the BAR Exam Philippines Graded ?

The BAR Exam Philippines is graded by a team of lawyers and law professors. The essay questions are graded based on the following factors:

• Accuracy of the legal principles applied
• Clarity and organization of the answer
• Completeness of the answer
• Correct grammar and usage

The multiple-choice questions are graded using a standard scoring scale.

The essay questions are worth 60% of the total score for each subject, while the multiple-choice questions are worth 40%. To pass the BAR Exam, you must obtain a general average of 75% in all bar subjects, and must not fall below 50% in any of the subjects.

Here is a more detailed explanation of the grading process for each subject:

Political and International Law (with related tax principles)

• Essay 1: 30%
• Essay 2: 30%
• Multiple choice: 40%

Labor Law

• Essay 1: 30%
• Essay 2: 30%
• Multiple choice: 40%

Criminal Law

• Essay: 30%
• Multiple choice 1: 20%
• Multiple choice 2: 20%
• Practical exercises: 30%

Commercial Law (or Mercantile Law)

• Essay 1: 30%
• Essay 2: 30%
• Multiple choice: 40%

Civil Law

• Essay 1: 30%
• Essay 2: 30%
• Multiple choice: 40%

Taxation Law

• Essay 1: 30%
• Essay 2: 30%
• Multiple choice: 40%

Remedial Law

• Essay 1: 30%
• Essay 2: 30%
• Multiple choice: 40%

Legal and Judicial Ethics

• Essay 1: 30%
• Essay 2: 30%
• Multiple choice: 40%

When are the BAR Exam Philippines Results Released ?

The BAR Exam Philippines results are usually released in March or April of the following year. For the 2023 BAR Exam, the results are expected to be released in March or April 2024.

To check the results, you can go to the Supreme Court of the Philippines website (https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/) and click on the “BAR Examination” tab. Then, click on the “Results” link and enter your name and other required information.

How to Check the BAR Exam Philippines Results

To Check the BAR Exam Philippines results, you can follow these steps:

1. Go to the Supreme Court of the Philippines website (https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/).
2. Click on the “BAR Examination” tab.
3. Click on the “Results” link.
4. Enter your name and other required information.
5. Click on the “Submit” button.

The website will display your results, if they are available. If your results are not available yet, you will see a message saying “Your results are not yet available. Please check back later.”

What to do if You Pass the BAR Exam Philippines ?

If you pass the BAR Exam Philippines, congratulations! You have achieved a major milestone in your legal career.

Here are some things you need to do next:

1. Take the oath of office. The Supreme Court of the Philippines will announce the schedule for the oath-taking ceremony. To take the oath, you will need to submit an application form and pay a fee.
2. Join the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). The IBP is the mandatory professional association for all lawyers in the Philippines. To join the IBP, you will need to submit an application form and pay a membership fee.
3. Start looking for a job. Once you have been admitted to the practice of law, you can start looking for a job at a law firm, government agency, or other organization. You can also start your own law practice.

Here are some additional tips for new lawyers:

• Get involved in the legal community. There are many different ways to get involved in the legal community, such as joining bar associations, attending CLE seminars, and volunteering for legal aid organizations.
• Network with other lawyers. Networking is a great way to learn from other lawyers and find job opportunities.
• Continue your education. The law is constantly changing, so it is important to continue your education after passing the bar exam. You can do this by attending CLE seminars, reading legal journals, and taking online courses.

What to do if you Don’t Pass the BAR Exam Philippines ?

If you don’t pass the BAR Exam Philippines, don’t be discouraged. Many people fail the bar exam on their first try. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and try again.

Here are some things you can do if you don’t pass the BAR Exam Philippines:

• Take some time to grieve. It’s okay to feel disappointed and sad about not passing the bar exam. Allow yourself some time to process your emotions before you start to think about what to do next.
• Analyze your performance. Once you’re feeling up to it, take some time to analyze your performance on the bar exam. Try to identify the areas where you need to improve. You can do this by reviewing your answers to the essay questions and multiple-choice questions. You can also talk to your bar review classmates or professors for feedback.
• Develop a study plan. Once you have identified your weaknesses, develop a study plan to address them. Make sure to include a variety of study activities in your plan, such as reading textbooks, practicing answering bar exam-style questions, and forming a study group.
• Retake the bar exam. The BAR Exam Philippines is offered twice a year, so you can retake it as soon as you feel ready. In the meantime, you can continue to work or study law.

Here are some additional tips for retaking the BAR Exam Philippines:

• Start early. Don’t wait until the last minute to start studying for the bar exam again. Give yourself plenty of time to review the material and practice answering bar exam-style questions.
• Use different study materials. If you used the same study materials the first time you took the bar exam, try using different materials this time. This will help you to learn the material from a different perspective.
• Find a mentor. A mentor can provide you with guidance and support as you prepare for the bar exam again. Look for a mentor who has passed the bar exam and who is willing to share their knowledge and experience with you.