2015 bar exams moved to November

MANILA, Philippines–The Supreme Court has approved the recommendation of the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS) to move the 2015 bar examinations to November.

PALS made the recommendation due to the academic calendar shift of most law schools and its effect on the examinees’ review period.

Bar Confidant Cristina Layusa, who had endorsed the recommendation, said the venue for this year’s exams will soon be announced.

Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro will chair this year’s bar exams, the 114th to be conducted in the country.

In 2011, the bar exams were moved from September to November to avoid the rainy season. The following year, however, the exams were moved from November to October. In 2013 and 2014, the bar exams were again held in October.

The bar examinations will take place over the four Sundays of November, requiring examinees to answer in long hand. It is regarded as the most prestigious professional licensure exam in the country due to its difficulty.