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Philippine Bar Exam: Fraternities and the Bar
Posted on March 30, 2012. Filed under: Bar Candidates Hub, Bar Exam Tips & Guide, Bar Matters, Students of Law |
Tags: Bar Exam Guide, Bar Examination, Bar Tips, Bar Topnotchers, Philippine Bar Exam, Philippines, Supreme Court, The
Bar |

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From Tau Kappa Phi of the FEU Institute of Law to Tau Lambda Kappa, Epsilon Sigma
Lambda Phi and Beta Alpha Lambda of the UE College of Law to Mu Kappa Phi and Tri-Delta
Lex of the MLQU School of Law to Lambda Rho Beta, Alpha Phi Beta and Lex Talionis of the
SBC College of Law and Gamma Delta Epsilon, Suprema Lex and Aegis Juris of the UST
Faculty of Civil Law, fraternities and sororities have played a significant role in the lives of
law students especially at the point of taking the Philippine Bar Exams. Below is a listing of
fraternities and sororities which have produced first placers in the bar exams:

Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity

Gregorio R. Castillo (1957)

Henry R. Villarica (1971)

Aquila Legis Fraternity

Claudio Teehankee (1940)

Januario B. Soller Jr. (1972)

Vicente R. Solis (1973)

Virgilio B. Gesmundo (1977)

Gregorio M. Batiller Jr. (1979)

Joseph P. San Pedro (1991) renounced

Cesareo Antonio S. Singzon, Jr. (2010)

Beta Sigma Lambda

Manuel G. Montecillo (1948)

Delta Lambda Sigma Sorority

Janette Susan L. Pena (1985)

Fraternal Order of Utopia

Cornelio C. Gison (1963)

Arturo D. Brion (1974)

Jayme A. Sy Jr. (1992)

Lex Leonum Fraternitas

Reinier Paul R. Yebra (2009)

Portia Sorority

Cecilia A. Munoz (1937)

Amuerfina A. Melencio (1947)

Maria Yvette O. Navarro (1988)

Scintilla Juris Fraternity

Rafael R. Lagos (1980)

Sigma Delta Phi Sorority

Ameurfina A. Melencio (1947)

Patricia Ann T. Prodigalidad (1996)

Sigma Rho Fraternity

Jovito R. Salonga (1944) resigned

Pedro L. Yap 39 (1946)

Manuel G. Montecillo 39 (1948)

Manuel G. Abello 54 GA 57 (1958)

Cosme D. Rosell 75 (1978)

Theta Epsilon Sorority

Judy A. Lardizabal (2008)

Upsilon Sigma Phi

Ferdinand E. Marcos (1939)

Rodolfo A. Ponferrada (2001)

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Philippine Bar Exam: Law school passing rates

Posted on March 27, 2012. Filed under: 2012 Bar Review Materials, Bar Candidates Hub, Bar Exam Tips & Guide, Bar
Matters, Students of Law | Tags:Bar Exam Guide, Bar Examination, Bar Tips, passing rate, Philippine Bar Exam |

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Law schools with the highest bar passing rates from 1996 to 2005 include:
Schools with more than 30 examinees:

Ateneo de Manila Law School 89.19%

San Beda College of Law 85.27%
University of the Philippines College of Law 85.19%
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law 56.70%
Far Eastern University Institute of Law 26.25%
University of the East College of Law 26.23%

Schools with 30 or less examinees:

Ateneo de Davao College of Law 65.57%

University of San Carlos 54.45%
Arellano University 46.18%
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, College of Law 41.26%
Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan 37.45%
Lyceum of the Philippines University 32.40%
Saint Louis University 31.38%[15]

[16][17]

In 2009, the Commission on Higher Education revealed its list of top law schools based on
average passing percentage, regardless of the number of candidates. The top 10 schools of
that list are:

Ateneo de Manila Law School 91.24%

San Beda College of Law 88.4%
University of the Philippines College of Law 82.85%

Far Eastern University-De La Salle University (Juris Doctor MBA) 77.42%

Ateneo de Davao College of Law 75.92%

University of San Carlos 68.2%
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law 67.64%

University of Cebu52.81%

University of Perpetual Help-Rizal 50.81%

Arellano University 49.3%

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Philippine Bar Exam: Passing Percentage (1978-2011)

Posted on March 27, 2012. Filed under: 2012 Bar Review Materials, Bar Candidates Hub, Bar Exam Tips & Guide, Bar
Matters, Students of Law | Tags:1978-2011, Bar Examination, Bar Tips, Passing Percentage, Philippine Bar Exam, The Bar |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Year

Passing Percentage

2011

31.95% (1,913 out of 5,987)

2010

20.26% (982 out of 4,847)

2009

24.58% (1,451 out of 5,903)

2008

20.58% (1,310 out of 6,364)

2007

22.91% (1,289 out of 5,626)

2006

30.60% (1,893 out of 6,187)

2005

27.22% (1,526 out of 5,607)

2004

31.61% (1,659 out of 5,249)

Year

Passing Percentage

2003

20.71% (1,108 out of 5,349)

2002

19.68% (917 out of 4,659)

2001

32.89% (1,266 out of 3,849)

2000

20.84% (979 out of 4,698)

1999

16.59% (660 out of 3,978)

1998

39.63%

1997

18.11% (710 out of 3,921)

1996

31.21% (1,217 out of 3,900)

1995

30.90% (987 out of 3,194)

1994

30.87%

1993

21.65%

1992

17.25%

Year

Passing Percentage

1991

17.81% (569 out of 3,194)

1990

27.94% (866 out of 3,100)

1989

21.22% (639 out of 3,012)

1988

24.26% (689 out of 2,840)

1987

16.95% (480 out of 2,832)

1986

18.88% (491 out of 2,600)

1985

25.78% (701 out of 2,719)

1984

21.80% (563 out of 2,582)

1983

21.30% (523 out of 2,455)

1982

20.50% (433 out of 2,112)

1981

43.71% (841 out of 1,924)

1980

33.61% (605 out of 1,800)

Year
1979

Passing Percentage
49.51% (903 out of 1,824)

1978

56.93% (1,076 out of 1,890)

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Bar: Passing average vs. Passing rate

Posted on March 27, 2012. Filed under: Bar Candidates Hub, Bar Exam Tips & Guide, Bar Matters, Students of Law |
Tags: Bar Examination, law practice,passing average, passing rate |

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The passing average is the minimum grade in the exam required to be admitted to the
practice of law. The passing rate is the proportion of total number of bar passers in
relation to the total number of bar examinees. It is usually computed on two levelsthe
national level (national bar passing rate), and the law school level (law school passing rate).
In the past, passing averages were considerably lower to admit more new lawyers (i.e. 69%
in 1947, 69.45% in 1946, 70% in 1948). Since 1982, the passing average has been fixed at
75%. This has led to a dramatic decrease in the national passing rate of bar examinees,
from an all-time high of 75.17% in 1954 to an all-time low of 16.59% in 1999 (all-time low
should have been the single digit 5% national passing rate for the 2007 bar examination if
the Supreme Court did not lower the passing average to 70% and lowered the
disqualification rate in 3 subjects). In recent years, the annual national bar passing rate
ranges from 20% to 30%.

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Bar Tip: YOUR REVIEW MATERIALS

Posted on March 13, 2012. Filed under: Bar Exam Tips & Guide | Tags: Bar Exam Guide, Bar Examination, How To |

REVIEW MATERIALS
An Interview with Dean Teodorico Martin
Contributed by:

Atty. Glenn M. Mortel

(espogi4@yahoo.com)
Judicious selection of materials for review purposes is a matter of extreme necessity to
the bar candidate, according to former Dean Teodorico C. Martin of the College of Law, San
Sebastian College.
In justification of this statement, Dean Martin cited his review efforts for the 1936 bar
examination where he copped the 7th spot among the first 10 top places that year.
I am citing my own efforts as a warning to the future bar candidates so that they will not
commit the same mistakes I made in my time, he said.
Immediately after graduation, Dean Martin recalled not without regretful remembrance, he
secured all the available notes and books used during his undergraduate days and started
his review preparation in earnest.
After three months of intensive reading and study trying vainly to grasp all those matters
contained in his piles of notes and books, he came upon the realization that
he never completed reviewing a single subject.
Imagine my consternation when I realized that I had only one month more to review and
there were eight bar subjects to tackle! he recalled with vivid clarity.
He took a stock of the situation and immediately prepared a schedule that would enable
him to complete his preparations for one month!

So he had to force himself to review two subjects in the short span of four days, a
procedure that consequently reduced his mental efficiency.
The bar candidate, Dean Martin said, should use only standard textbooks for review and
avoid reading notes all full of unnecessary details and useless explanations that can only
produce mental confusion in his already confused mind.
Despite his defective review efforts, what enabled Dean Martin to obtain very high rating?
Good background knowledge acquired during four years of college training, particularly
in the eight bar subjects given in the examination, he explained.
Other suggestions for the bar candidates that Dean Martin recommends include efforts
directed toward having a balance diet, proper apportioning of timeavailable when
actually answering bar questions, boarding with three or four candidates in a dormitory
or a secluded house and providing themselves withreview notebooks.
Having a balance diet during this rigorous period of preparation is a matter which candidates
always overlook, he said. This time they should have nourishing food, to enable them to
to build up body energies that are fast getting worn out from terrific use.
Proper apportionment of time when answering questions will enable the candidate to tackle
all by not making the mistake of using too much time on a few at the expense of others.
Living in a house with three or four other candidates has undeniable advantages, according
to Dean Martin. Here, they are afforded with the maximum quiet that augers well for
concentrated study and review.
It is impossible to review at home, particularly when there are children, he pointed out. The
demands of family living, family chores and problems unduly disrupt concentration.
Moreover, living with other companions, the bar candidate will be able
to discussand exchange notes with them on matters that need clarification, he said.
Dean Martins last recommendation is the need for the candidate to provide himself
with review notebooks for all bar subjects where he could jot down important provisions
of law under each and leading decisions of the Supreme Court interpreting these legal
provisions.
Lifted from: AttyRalph.com
More Bar Tips: A.
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Bar Tip: CONFIDENCE!

Posted on March 13, 2012. Filed under: Bar Exam Tips & Guide | Tags: Bar Exam Guide, Bar Examination, Bar Tips, How
To |

CONFIDENCE!
An Interview with Dean Ricardo Lacson
Contributed by:

Atty. Glenn M. Mortel

(espogi4@yahoo.com)
With the best of spirits, the bar candidate should enter the examination roomconfident that he will not
only pass it, but pass it he would with flying colors.
Thus declared former Dean Ricardo Lacson of the Philippine Law School.
As a matter of fact, the candidate should have had this confidence from the first moment he entered his
freshman class in the law school.
Dean Lacson passed the bar the following year Manuel Roxas topped the examination in 1913.
He discussed the different factors that, in his opinion based on his experience, have helped him in
preparing for the examination.
The first factor: SERIOUS PREPARATION.
Dean Lacson stressed the importance of beginning bar preparation from the candidates first day in the
freshman year.
The trouble with students, they never take seriously their preparations while still in the law school. Many
of them only begin to study law for the first time during pre-bar review classes after their graduation.
Cognizant of the very little time he has in his hands, the candidate now adopts measures that will enable
him to stay late in the nights during the four or five months of preparation.
What happens?
The candidate has to resort to the taking of all conceivable medicine to make him stay awake practically
all nights, Dean Lacson said. Added to this, he also takes plenty of coffee. Little does he realize the fact
that these measures are very injurious to his health.
And they think by staying awake all nights they can cover grounds which, even in classroom work, they
can never expect to cover, Dean Lacson pointed out. The result is that next morning when they wake up,
their minds are all tired, less able to absorb what they read the night before.
Another factor that the candidate should consider as an important equipment to enable him to pass the
bar examination is command of language.
In my time, Dean Lacson said, my reading of the law, the decisions of the court, has helped me a great
deal in acquiring a better command of language, an indispensable factor in writing impressive answers.
Relative to the manner of answering bar questions, the PLS dean has this to say:
The candidate must read the questions very carefully before attempting to write down his answers. He
has to make sure he understands what the questions really call for.
The next step is to find out how many questions are asked. Having determined this, he
must apportion the time available in his hands proportionately to the number of questions.

The dean turned his attention to the biggest mistake that the candidates always commit in answering
questions.
The examinees spend too much time on those questions they know so well and the net result is that
they finally realize they have very little time left for the other problems.
Why do most students have faulty preparation in school?
Faulty method of instructions. Dean Lacson explained that most professors teach only as
a sideline and therefore find little time to prepare. They ought to spend as much time or even more, in
improving their teaching methods that the students could benefit much from them.
Sometimes, Dean Lacson complained, the professors dont even know how to conduct their respective
classes. Consequently, this contributes to the sad state of affairs relative to the training of students. Some
of these professors do not even show their students that they know at least something about their subject
matter.
In this way, he said, the students never learn anymore than what their professors know about their
respective subject matters.
The remedy?
We expect to get good professors, of course, the dean said, those who really have the ability to impart
legal knowledge. We are always willing to receive suggestions from others how to improve our method
of instructions.
Lifted from: AttyRalph.Com
More Bar Tips: Bar Tips & Guides
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Bar Tip: NEVER QUIT!

Posted on March 13, 2012. Filed under: Bar Exam Tips & Guide | Tags: Bar Exam Guide, Bar Examination, Bar Tips, How
To |

NEVER QUIT!
An Interview with Dean Vicente Abad Santos
Contributed by:

Atty. Glenn M. Mortel

(espogi4@yahoo.com)
No matter how disappointed you may be with your answers to questions on the first day of
the bar examination, you should never make the unpardonable mistake of quitting.
This valuable piece of advice from former Dean Vicente Abad Santos of the College of Law, University of
the Philippines, is addressed to all bar candidates, present or future.
The UP law dean, the youngest to occupy this distinguished position in the state university, cited the
cases of some UP law graduates who quit after the first day of the examination because they thought
their answers were no good.
Only the examiners can determine this, he pointed out.
Preparations should not begin after graduation but on the first day the candidate enters his freshman
year in the law school.
What did he do after graduation day?
Dean Abad Santos immediately went on a two-week vacation from his codes and textbooks. The idea
here, he explained, is to relax both mind and body in preparation for the review during the months prior to
the actual examination day. This, according to him, will enable the candidate to conserve as much
energy for the grind that is to follow so that on the first day of the examination, he will not be exhausted
and confused.
He recommends no hard and fast rules on schedules with respect to the review of the eight subjects
given in the bar examination.
First, the UP law dean suggests, the candidate should go on leave from work if he belongs to the working
gentry.
The review should be made easy the first three months after graduation, one subject after another, he
said. This review will be intensified only during the month prior to the examination.
Dean Abad Santos has no objection if the candidate should go to a movie the afternoon prior to the
actual examination day. He also suggests that the candidate should sleep early so that when he wakes
up the following day, he feels fresh and ready for the battle.
After any given examination, the candidate should never worry about his answers any longer, the UP law
dean said. After all, there is nothing he could do about changing them. Rather, he should worry about
the next examination.
Another advice Dean Abad Santos wants to pass on to bar candidates is that they should never
leave any question unanswered.
If they are at a loss as to what specific legal provisions or doctrine to use in answering problems, the only
alternative left for them is to use their own common sense.
More Bar Tips: AtyRalph.Com
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Bar Tip: HARDWORK!

Posted on March 13, 2012. Filed under: Bar Exam Tips & Guide |

HARD WORK!
An Interview with Dean Jovito Salonga
Contributed by:

Atty. Glenn M. Mortel

(espogi4@yahoo.com)
HARD WORK! This, in a nutshell, is Dean Jovito Salongas formula of passing the bar
examination.
Dean Salonga stressed the need for the candidate to determine for himself
adefinite goal an objective, to which he must train his guns from his first year in college
up to the time he finally tackles the bar examination, if he expects to achieve success.
The youngest of law deans ever to assume such distinctive office in this country, said
that passing the bar is a hard job and, therefore, it requiresthorough preparation.
He discussed at length the various factors which, in his experience, had helped him
tremendously in preparing for the bar examinations.
The first factor: DETERMINATION.
The bar candidate, he explained, must have the spirit and the will to emerge triumphant in
the great task of attaining his definite objective.
The young educator recalled that when he took up the study of the law from his freshman
year at the state university, he had always nurtured in himself thesecret
ambition of topping the bar examination if and when he takes it. Of course, he admitted,
he never deviated from his objective.
At the same time he confided that while he had this great ambition within himself, he never
breathed it to any soul, much less to the girl of his dreams at the time.
A smile crept over his face, a smile that outshone his youthful countenance. You see, he
explained, there were possibilities of failure. No one can really tell whether he can pass the
examination, much less be certain that he will top it.
Imagine the embarrassment to which I might have exposed myself if I really told the whole
world then of my great ambition and never made it? he said.
Remember, the possibilities are equally great for success as well as failure. Nevertheless, it
is always good to dream of great ambitions. And particularly so when you realize any
of them eventually.

The second factor: Hard work of preparation.

The main bulk of Dean Salongas preparations centered on the writing of review notes on
all bar subjects since he was a freshman law student.
This great task, he recalled, contributed very greatly to his attaining an impressive
foundation of knowledge in all bar subjects. Preparation such as this one provides the
student self-confidence to face the examination without fear.
The third factor: Extensive reading of every and all conceivable printed matter, be they
cultural, philosophical or otherwise.
The idea here, the dean explained, is to attain not only a broad cultural background
knowledge but also a better facility and ability for self-expression. Another advantage
of extensive reading is discipline. Discipline, he said, such as enables one to absorb what
one reads.
The fourth factor: Fifteen minutes of daily morning meditation. With prayers, if you will.
Dean Salonga always had this morning meditation. This enabled him to go over mentally the
various points covered in the review he made the previous day. More than this, it gave him
an opportunity to make the brain rest after a long and tedious dreary reading.
The last factor: Group discussion.
Dean Salonga said group discussions, particularly over matters under review, gives the
candidate an idea exactly where his weak point lies. In this case, he will have an
opportunity to take remedial measures to save the situation.
Moreover, he added, group discussion will afford the candidate a better understanding of the
law which he may have before then, merely but passing knowledge.
Dean Salonga does not believe in requiring students to memorize the law word for word as
is being required by majority of professors in the different colleges.
We must do everything to liberate ourselves from the shackles of memory work, and more
definite emphasis on the understanding of the law from its philosophical and economic
standpoints, and above all, knowledge and ability to apply them in our lives.
And what does he think about the so-called textbooks sold profitably in the market and used
intensively in the law colleges?
Dean Salonga shook his head. Many of them in his opinions are no textbooks at all by any
given standards, never fit to be used in the law colleges.
The dean maintains the view that many of these so-called textbooks are written by what
he calls properly as scissors and clipping authors who do nothing but copy and quote
materials after materials here and there from numerous works written by authors no better
than they.
They piece all these clippings together and publish them later to pass the same as
textbooks. Any high school graduate with ability for research, capacity to cut clippings can
do just as well in the preparation of similar textbooks.
As a parting word to the bar candidate, Dean Salonga has this to say:
Never forget that preparation is the thing that he must have to fight his battle, the bar examination.
More Bar Tips: AttyRalph.Com
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Bar Tip: Great Formula in Passing the Bar

Posted on March 13, 2012. Filed under: Bar Exam Tips & Guide | Tags: Bar Examination, Bar Tips, How To |

THE GREAT FORMULA

IN PASSING THE BAR EXAMINATIONS
Contributed by:

Atty. Glenn M. Mortel

(espogi4@yahoo.com)
There is nothing that can help a bar examinee most than a constant and intensive study of
the provisions of the various codes and the interpretation and application thereof by the
Supreme Court in its decisions. By study is meant, that the provisions must be correctly
understood and the thought or words thereof put to memory. After a chapter, for example,
has been studied, the next one should be studied next, and after this, a review of all that
has already been studied re-reviewed, to keep the subject matter and the provisions fresh
in mind. Alejo Labrador
1.
Actual preparation for the bar examination starts from the first day a law student
attended class during the first year in the law school.
2.
The blooming secret in passing the bar examination is this: Present good answers
that will make the examiners take notice. Good answers anchored upon logical
reasoning, written in readable English and more importantly, justified by appropriate
legal authority.
3.
If the candidates are at a loss as to what specific legal provisions or case doctrines to
use in answering problems, the only alternative left for them is to use their
own common sense.
4.
The key to passing the bar examinations is contained in one word: ARTICULATION.
Articulation is expressive of the following basic fundamentals: good language,
impressive presentation, logical reasoning and substantial background knowledge of law
and procedure.

5.

The examinee who has a fairly good command of English, assuming that he is
prepared in all other matters, stands definitely with a much better chance of passing.
6.
The responsive character of a given answer would depend to a great extent, on
command of good language, logical reasoning and impressive presentation. This
objective of preparing impressive and responsive answers can only be achieved
by constant practice.
7.
Get this straight right now. Passing the bar examination has been, still is, and will
always be a difficult proposition!
8.
No one can really help you pass the bar examination but yourself.
9.
The greatest blooming secret of passing the bar examination is and will always
be: PREPARATION! Not just any kind of preparation, but proper, sound and systematic
preparation.
10.
Systematic review can only be done by the use of what we call scheduleswhich the
candidate must follow vigorously to the letter if he expects to attain the best results.
11.
There will be times when you become sleepy while reviewing but never for one
moment, tell yourself: Man, this review can wait! Do not be stupid. Always remind
yourself that time is of the essence and is decidedly running too short for you.
12.
Force yourself to read, understand and absorb what law you reviewed. Otherwise, all
your efforts will go to waste.
13.
Love and review cannot mix in the business of preparing for the bar examination.
14.
Early to bed, early to rise, that is the way to make a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
15.
A morning shower is a must.
16.
Never stay up late to the wee hours of morning, cramming law into your head. This
would not do you any good. Remember, you have to conserve as much energy as you
possibly can.
17.
Remember, keeping your health in good running condition is just as important as
reviewing and passing the bar examination.
18.
Good handwriting is decidedly a great factor in passing the bar examination.
19.
To beat time, never write kilometric answers.
20.
By far the most important tool that the bar candidate could equip himself with which
to tackle the examination that is inherently personal to him iscommand of written
English.
21.
You have to write simple, grammatically correct English if you want to hurdle the
examination.
22.
Presentation of answers that are not only good but logical, full of substance and
supported by law and other authorities, are gems to the examiner, whether he has a
good or black heart.
23.
Make your motto now: Stick to codal provisions! Compliment this with doctrines
laid down in recent decisions of the Supreme Court.
24.
Impressive answers showing the candidates reasoning faculty is what the
examiners want to read in your examination notebooks.

25.

Ability to retain your understanding of the substance of the law through efforts of
study is more desirable quality to possess than mere ability to memorize legal
provisions.
26.
Memorizing a particular provision of law word for word but without understanding it
and its various implications is a lot of wasted effort.
27.
Never fail to read the newspapers when you are preparing for the bar examination.
Read newspapers from 20 to 30 minutes every day.
28.
You can never expect to pass the bar examination without preparation.
29.
Predicting probable questions based on important principles or provisions of law is
the safer method of speculating what the examiners are likely to ask in their
examinations.
30.
Never depend on tips for your passing. But never brush these tips aside as nothing
but trash. They may likely cause your downfall. Never, however, bank too much on
them.
31.
Cheating is one sure way to endanger your future career as a prospective member
of the legal profession. Never commit such atrocious act like cheating in the bar
examination. It never pays. Depend on your own capabilities. Fight
your battle royale on a high plane!
32.
Fountain or sign pens are really the most important equipment in bar examination.
Never start for the examination without bringing along with youtwo or more fountain or
sign pens.
33.
Like the weather, examiners are absolutely a bunch of unpredictable fellows,
capable of asking unpredictable questions.
34.
Do not try to memorize 50 definitions or distinctions in any given time. Two or three
will do.
35.
The real secret in remembering the matters contained in an enumeration is the use
of keywords. Make your keywords on enumerations you consider important.
36.
Never leave a blank in an enumeration! However, if you use the letters a, b, c, etc.
for numbers in the enumeration, so much the better. Ten to one, the examiner may not
count his fingers. Make the first four in the enumeration definitely good.
37.
The bar candidate should do well to be always on guard against catchy
questions capable of being answered in a number of ways, e.g. What is a complaint?
The perfect answer should include both definitions in criminal and civil procedure.
38.
Never be content to answer questions with a mere yes or no. You must, at all times,
give justification why your answer is a yes or no. Unless, of course, the examiner
qualifies his question with instruction enclosed in parenthesis like: (Answer with a yes or
no only).
39.
Always determine the real facts (examiners have the bad habit of including
irrelevant facts to confuse you) and the issue or issues in controversy. Which side you
take, always justify your side with reasons based on law, rule, equity and justice.
Whatever your answer may be, provided it is written in legible language, the examiner
will never deny you the corresponding credit you deserve.

40.

Always remember, make efforts to frame your answers so that they

areresponsive to the questions. Never beat around the bush. Go right straight
ahead with your answer. Avoid citations if and when you are notabsolutely sure about
them. The shorter the answers are, the more direct, the better. Avoid display of flowery
expressions which are complicated by legal verbosity. All you need are sensible, direct
and reasonable answers that are responsive to the questions.
41.
Legal knowledge is not enough to solve a particular legal issue. What is important
is ability to apply this knowledge to the solution of legal controversies.
42.
The most convenient method of tackling problem questions is to present
immediately the conclusion of a given answer. Practice, practice, constant practice will
help the bar candidate write good answers that examiners will give favorable credit.
43.
The technique of writing down answers responsive to questions is a matter that the
candidate must learn as a matter of imperative necessity.
44.
Brevity and directness when done properly could make an answer both effective and
impressive. However, when overdone to a point where the ideas sought to be conveyed
becomes vague and difficult to understand, they become a liability.
45.
Never forget that every candidate is a potential bar topnotcher.
46.
So, if you are a candidate just preparing for the bar examination, whose chances of
passing are quite problematical, just limit your ambition for the present to just working
hard to obtain a 75 percent in the great battle of your life.
47.
Take comfort in this: That even those who become lawyers by just luck, are
making good in the practice of law. Nothing can really put a determined man down.
48.
In your preparation for the greatest battle of your life, call upon Him who is the
source of all knowledge, wisdom and understanding. In deep humility, bended knees and
tears, He will make all things beautiful in His time.Victory belongs to the most
persevering!
Note:
All excerpts, except the last (No. 48), were taken by Atty. GLENN M. MORTEL from the
book SECRETS ON HOW TO PASS THE BAR EXAMINATION by Dean Wenceslao G.
Laureta, 1990 edition.
Lifted from: AttyRalph.Com