SC again changes bar exam format

MANILA, Philippines—For the third time, the Supreme Court has changed the format of the bar examination, this time, partly reverting to its old format of more essay type questions.

In its Bar Bulletin No. 1, the examination structure for the 2013 Bar Examination showed that the exam will be 20 percent multiple choice questions (MCQ) and 80 percent essay type question.

“Whether MCQ or essay, the question shall be based on a given set of facts, presented as briefly but as clearly and completely as possible, taking into account that every examinee needs reading, understanding, consideration of the applicable law, and answering time for every question,” the Bar Bulletin stated.

The high court said it will release its syllabus for the coverage of the 2013 examination on or before Dec. 31, 2012 while the cut off for Supreme Court decisions covered by the 2013 Bar examination shall be January 31, 2013.

Last year, the examination format was 60 percent MCQ type of questions while only 40 percent is essay type. The exam was also moved from November to October with two subjects per Sunday.

During the 2011 exam, on the other hand, the high court opted for an MCQ type of examination. Two Sundays have been dedicated to three subjects while the last Sunday has been dedicated for memorandum and legal opinion writing.

The bar examination is composed of eight subjects-Political Law, Remedial Law, Taxation, Criminal Law, Civil Law, Mercantile Law, Labor Law and Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises.

The 2013 Bar Examination will still be conducted at the University of Santo Tomas.