Multiple choice proposed in bar examination

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

The first bar exam was held in 1901, with 13 examinees, while the 2009 bar examination is the 108th bar exams with 6,080 examinees. The most notable bar exam was the 1999 bar examinations which recorded the lowest passing rate of 16.59% or with a total number of 660 successful examinees out of 3,978.

The 2007 bar exams would have been the all time low in terms of passing percentage if only then Chairman of the Committee of Bar Examiners Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna has lowered the passing rate to 70% instead of the 75% general averaged. The reduction in the passing rate was ordered by Justice Azcuna as only 5 percent (only around 300) of the 5,626 who took the bar exams got the passing grade of 75%.

The Supreme Court adjusted the standard to 70 percent and the disqualification rate in 3 subjects (civil, labor and criminal law) from 50 to 45 percent thus resulting in a 22.91 passing rate or a survival of 1,289 lawyer examinees. The 2001 bar exams had the highest ever passing rate with 1,266 out of the 3,849 total examinees making a passing rate of 32.89%.

To pass the bar exam, a candidate must obtain a general average of 75 percent in all subjects with no grade falling below 50% in any bar subjects. In determining the general average, subjects in the examinations are given relative weights, the eight bar subjects are separately graded. Each subject contributes to the general average in the following proportion: Civil Law - 15%, Labor and Social Legislation - 10%, Mercantile Law - 15%, Criminal Law - 10%, Political and International Law - 15%, Taxation - 10%, Remedial Law - 20%, Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises - 5%, for a total of 100%.

The Five-Strike Rule was implemented since 2005. The rule limits to five the number of times a candidate may take the bar exams. The rule disqualifies a candidate after failing in three examinations. However, he is permitted to take fourth and fifth examinations if he or she successfully completes a one year refresher course for each examination.

The Supreme Court appoints memberships in the Committee of Bar Examiners, their official task is to formulate bar exam questions, instituting policy directives, executing procedures, grading bar examination papers, and releasing the results of the annual bar examination.

The committee is chaired by an incumbent Justice of the Supreme Court, who is designated by the Supreme Court to serve for a term of one year. The members of the committee include eight members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, who also hold office for a term of one year. While the Justice who shall act as Chairman is immediately known, committee members must exert every effort to conceal their identities until the oath-taking of the successful bar examinees, approximately six months after the bar exam. Bar examinations are generally essay-type, but examiners have thrown in a few multiple choice questions over the years.

According to Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez, a Supreme Court justice wants to incorporate more multiple choice-type of tests in next year’s 2011 bar examination.

He said 2011 Bar Examination Committee Chairman Associate Justice Roberto Abad made the proposal to better test the knowledge of aspiring lawyers on Codal provisions. This proposal came about after consultation with deans from various law schools. The multiple choice will focus on Codal provision. It is very difficult for an examiner in an essay type exam to determine if an examinee knows the Codal provision. Good luck to all future examinees.