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CJ Panganiban: How to pass, nay, top the bar exams

With Due Respect

By Artemio V. PanganibanPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 23:46:00 04/19/2008

MANILA, PhilippinesLast Sunday, I commented on the dismal results of the 2007 barexams. I said that it was high time the Supreme Court, the Philippine president and thelaw schools collaborated to produce better lawyers. We concur, chorused manyreaders. But the more pressing query of law students and reviewees for the 2008 test isCan you give us tips on how to pass the 2008 tests?

Having taken the exams eons ago, I felt inadequate answering the question. Besides, Iplaced only sixth. So I called someone more qualified, 2005 topnotcher Joan de Venecia.In turn, she summoned help from two other numero unos, Arlene Maneja (2002) andMercedita Ona (2007). Incidentally, Arlene comes from UST, Joan from UP andMercedita from Ateneo de Manila. Here are their common tips.

Believe that you deserve to take the test. Forget the times you botched up a recitation orfailed an exam. Youre past that. Believe that you have been allowed to sit for the bar because you have a fighting chance to pass it. Cultivate composure with that thought. Youll need it.

Make time for serious self-evaluation. Have an honest assessment of the subjects youare good at, and those you feel you have an inadequate foundation on. If you sincerely believe that you do not have sufficient knowledge of a particular subject, accept ithumbly and know that you still have a number of months to study for it. Adjust thenumber of days devoted to each subject according to the results of your self-assessment. A schedule is recommended to serve as a guide as to how many days you can allot forevery subject.

Have a study plan and be realistic about it. At the start of the bar review, set aside all thematerials you want to coverall the books, reviewers and notes for each subject. Make it your guide and pace yourself. People without a plan either underestimate the workloador get swamped with available materials; either way, they dont finish everything. So too,organize your review materials. Time is of the essence during the bar review. You cannotafford to waste time by looking for misplaced review materials. Maintain eight separate boxes or drawers for each of the subjects. This will help you sort through your materialsand decide which to read during your pre-week.

Be realistic about your capabilities. People say they will start afresh during the barreviewstudy more, play less. Thats nice but it rarely happens. So, in setting a studyplan, be kind to yourself. Give yourself time to attend review lectures, to wake up late, to

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be lazy, to go out and to have fun. The bar test is difficult enough without making yourself sick because of unrealistic expectations.

Do not compare yourself with other reviewees. We all have our own rhythm. Listen to yours. Bar preparation is an individual task. It is ultimately your understanding of the

law and its varied nuances, not how many readings you do, or the laws that youmemorize verbatim that makes the difference.

Be physically fit. Try to get regular exercise. Eat nourishing meals. Get enough sleepevery day. Take vitamins and supplements. Manage your stress. Remember, all yourefforts will be wasted when your body bogs down.

Use your time wisely. Sit in a review class or do personal reading? If you know thesubject well enough, refresh yourself by attending review classes. If not, read up first.Review classes assume a certain level of knowledge and, without it, youll be lost duringthe discussion and waste valuable time. Know that you still have the pre-week review forall those bar tips that most reviewers give.

Abandon all emotional problems. Inform your family and friends about what you aregoing through in preparing for and in taking the exam. Ask for their understanding andsupport. The last thing you need is additional source of stress when preparing for the bar is draining enough. Avoid all distractions. Keep your focus.

Perfect your handwriting and grammar. Bar examiners have to go through thousands ofexam booklets, and they are only human. As would any other normal person, theyappreciate, and understand more, an answer that is at the very minimum, readable andlogical. All three topnotchers have good handwriting, and believe that their passing, naytopping, the bar was in large part due to this. So, practice writing neatly, legibly and fast.

If you are a visual person write down your notes. This exercise will aid your quest for a beautiful penmanship, and help you retain the facts and the law that may be difficult toretrieve as you store more information in your brain bank.

Study smartly. Streamline. Codal provisions, a good reviewer for each subject andupdates on jurisprudence should suffice. Master the basics. Understand the substance ofthe law and how to apply it to given situations. Recall legal provisions during your sparetime. Listen to audio codals when you travel.

Ask for updates. Doctrines that you have studied in school may have already been

overturned or modified by the Supreme Court or by Congress. Request your baroperations team to include abbreviated facts in the updates, because bar questions areoften facts-based.

Pray. Pray. Pray.

A final reminder. There is no shortcut to passing the bar. If you want to pass on the firsttake, you have to put in the hours, and get yourself in the mood to study. Do not focus

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on things you cannot control (e.g., bar examiners, kinds of questions). Devote all yourenergies to studying and positive thinking. Good luck!