Results for the 2023 Philippine Bar Examination: Roster of Successful Candidates

 

As per the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SC), the results of the September 2023 Philippine Bar Exam, which include the official roster of successful candidates, the highest scorers, and the performance ranking of law schools, are anticipated to be made public either in early December or prior to Christmas Day (December 25, 2023).

The Philippine Bar Exam serves as the essential licensure test for individuals aspiring to become lawyers in the Philippines. It is conducted exclusively by the Supreme Court of the Philippines through its Bar Examination Committee.

According to the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the exclusive power to establish the regulations governing the admission of individuals into the legal profession. Consequently, unlike other professional licensure exams, the bar exam is not under the jurisdiction of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

The current examination holds particular significance as it commemorates the 121st historic iteration of the bar exam in the Philippines.

The Philippine Bar Exam is the crucial licensing examination for those who aspire to practice law in the Philippines. It is administered solely by the Bar Examination Committee of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

In accordance with the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Supreme Court possesses the exclusive authority to set the rules and standards for admitting individuals to the legal profession. As a result, unlike other professional licensing tests, the bar exam is not overseen by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

The present examination carries special significance as it marks the 121st historic occurrence of the bar exam in the Philippines.

The 2023 Bar Exams are anticipated to have a turnout of 10,791 participants, comprising 5,821 individuals taking the exam for the first time and 4,970 individuals retaking it. The following figures represent the number of examinees for each day of the 2023 Digitized and Localized Bar Examinations, which occurred at 14 local testing centers nationwide:

First Day (September 17, 2023): 10,400 participants, accounting for 96.38% of the total.

Second Day (September 20, 2023): 10,391 examinees, constituting 96.29% of the total.

Third Day (September 24, 2023): 10,387 candidates, making up 96.26% of the total.

Oath-Taking Ceremonies

In order to ensure the production of a new group of lawyers before the end of the year, Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, who serves as the chairman of this year's bar exams, has announced plans for simultaneous oath-taking and signing of the Roll of Attorneys in the month when the exam results are expected to be released, estimated to be December 2023.

Testing Centers

Metro Manila:

San Beda University – Manila

University of Santo Tomas

San Beda College – Alabang

University of the Philippines Diliman

Manila Adventist College

University of the Philippines Bonifacio Global City

Luzon:

Saint Louis University

Cagayan State University

University of Nueva Caceres

Visayas:

University of San Jose – Recoletos

University of San Carlos

Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation

Mindanao:

Ateneo de Davao University

Xavier University

What makes the Philippine Bar Exam such a challenging test?

The Philippine Bar Exam poses a formidable challenge for several reasons. Firstly, it demands a comprehensive grasp of a diverse array of legal subjects, necessitating a profound understanding of both substantive and procedural law.

Secondly, the rigorous nature of the Bar Exam is underscored by the exceptionally high passing threshold. Historically, the passing rate has hovered around a mere 20%, implying that only one out of every five candidates manages to secure a passing score.

Lastly, time constraints add to the formidable nature of the Bar Exam. Examinees are allotted a mere eight hours to complete each day of the examination, demanding quick thinking and clear, concise writing skills in high-pressure circumstances.

What are some recommendations for successfully navigating the Philippine Bar Exam? Here are several valuable pointers:

Initiate your preparation well in advance. Since the Bar Exam covers an extensive range of material, it's crucial to commence your studies early. Give yourself a minimum of six months for preparation.

Develop a structured study plan. A well-organized study plan will assist you in maintaining focus and keeping on schedule. Ensure it accommodates dedicated time for reviewing all the subjects included in the exam.

Consider partnering with a study companion or joining a study group. Collaborating with peers can provide motivation and accountability. It also facilitates quizzing one another and discussing challenging concepts.

Engage in practice by tackling Bar Exam questions. Numerous online and library resources offer practice questions specifically designed for the Bar Exam. Practicing with these questions will help you become familiar with the exam format and the types of questions posed.

Incorporate regular breaks into your study routine. It's vital to take short breaks during your Bar Exam preparation. Stand up and move around every hour or so, and designate one day each week as a break from studying.

Official List of Passers

PHILIPPINE BAR EXAM 2023

Held on September 17, 20 & 24, 2023

Release date: December 2023

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