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How To Pass The Bar Exam Seminar by Atty Jim Lopez of Up Law
How To Pass The Bar Exam Seminar by Atty Jim Lopez of Up Law
1. Problem solving
2. Negotiation and ADR
3. Legal Analysis and Reasoning
4. Legal research
5. Factual Investigation
6. Communication
7. Counselling
8. Litigation
9. Management of Legal Work
10. Handling ethical Dilemmas
PROFILE OF A FLUNKER
Atty Jim Paredes: Check all those listed below that applied to you CURRENTLY OR DURING THE
TIME WHEN YOU TOOK THE PREVIOUS BAR EXAMS.
Afterwards, develop a game plan and eradicate those habits. (madaling sabihin pero mahirap
gawin, I know, but KAYANIN MO PARA SA PANGARAP MO.)
No fiery passion of the law
No relentless drive to be a lawyer
No effective game plan (PANICKY= CRAMMER)
No self-confidence (Easily distracted)
Poorly equipped (Slow reader, untrained memory, inability to spell, fractured grammar, deficient
English composition, and illegible handwriting)
Attitude problems (Fatalistic,lazy defeatist, uninspired, pessimistic, unmotivated
Often absent or late
Overconfident
Poor in time management
Unfamiliarity with exam style
Hieroglyphics
Difficulty in identifying issues
Sickly (Depression, high blood, uric acid, etc)
Multiple vices
Fall madly in love
GENERAL RULES
(remember me by heart)
Exceptions
Exceptions to the Exceptions
Conditions
Elements
Requirements
HOW IMPORTANT IS ENGLISH IN PROFICIENCY IN LAW SCHOOL AND THE BAR EXAM?
“For the most part, a problem with the english language was a major weakness in the examinees.”
- Atty. Rita Linda Jimno (2010 civil law examiner
“When I read some of the answers, I was like, “What did he say?” Many of those who got a grade of
below 50 did not know how to write and speak English. THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE IS THE
INABILITY OF THE EXAMINEE TO EXPRESS HIMSELF IN ENGLISH.
- Atty. Rodrigo Lope S. QUimbo (2010 remedial Law Examiner)
- Strunk white (Elements of style) - we use this in USC .(300 + in National Book Store?, But I will
send you a pdf copy kung nasa laptop ko pa or search ka na lang sa google)
- Plain English for lawyers by Richard C. Wydick
DIAGNOSTICS
1. Aim
2. Sacrifices
3. Health
4. Skills
5. Length of Review
6. Study Schedule
7. Study Space
8. Method of Answering
9. Substance of Answers
10. Books
11. Social Media and Other Distractions
12. Class Ranking
13. Funds
14. Law School
15. Leisure
16. Love life
17. Erasures and Margins
18. English Proficiency
19. Inspiration
20. Handwriting
21. Mentor
22. Favorite and weak subject
23. First Timer
24. Sleep
25. Vices
26. Time
27. Work
28. Passion
29.
3. Remedial law
- A mere “Yes” or “No”answer without any discussion will not be given any credit
3. Eat a hearty breakfast but DO NOT OVEREAT. Do not eat unfamiliar food.
- Bawasan mo na yung ice cream cravings mo please. Magdiet na tayo para sexy ka na pasado ka
pa sa bar exam.
(TIPS FROM ATTY. FRANCISCO NOEL FERNANDEZ, III , 1994 BAR TOPNOTCHER)
- Everyday, magset ka ng study goal. pag na-accomplish mo yung study goal mo for that day:
reward yourself (Quantum Meruit)
Loves great handwriting (Magpractice ka na magsulat kasi Writing notes is effective and
bring more memory retention.)
Organization is essential
Gets annoyed with incoherent answers, wrong spellings and grammars, or those who
beat around the bush.
Takes 20-30 minutes to correct each booklet (Now, 5 minutes or less)
Does not care if you answer Yes or No at the start of your answer as long as the
reasoning is good.
DEFERMENT
Waste of time
Additional expenditures
Changes in Jurisprudence
Changes in exam format and substance
New legislation
Weaker memory
Diminished physical constitution
Diminution in interest
More work load
Unfamiliar peer groups
More pressure to pass or to top the bar
Exigent circumstances
TIPS FROM ATTY. KAREN CALAM (TOP 1 2016 BAR EXAMS = 100% passing rate, ranked
no. 15th in her class)
TIPS FROM ATTY. FRANCIS NOEL FERNANDEZ , III (TOP 1 1994 BAR EXAM- SEASONAL
BAR EXAM VETERAN)
1. Use Buzzwords
(Buzzwords- words frequently used or found in laws, legal commentaries, and Supreme Court
decisions)
Write
MEMORY TECHNIQUES
Lorayne-lucas
Link & Peg Method
The Art of Ridiculous Association
2. Discipline yourself.
- I studied from 10 am up to midnight everyday during my review.
3. Spend more time studying your least favorite subject (eg. Political law)
- I studied it first followed by the sequence of subjects in the bar exam.
TIPS FROM A 2014 BAR EXAMINER (Dean Andres Bautista, 2014 examiner, Labor Law and
Social Legislation)
1. Plan your schedule according to WEIGHT of the subject, difficulty and your perceived level
of competence in each subject. Devote more time to REMEDIAL LAW.
2. Focus on one subject at a time.
Devote while day or a series of days reading one subject than split the days for two subjects.
3. For Pre-week, you may split the day for two subjects that Sunday.
4. CALM DOWN. It’s normal to be nervous.
- I was so nervous for the1st question I answered my hand just froze for a few moments.
5. Exercise Daily (SIGN NA TO ATE MAGDIET AT EXERCISE KA NA)
6. Eat properly
7. Have one rest day at least.
8. Choose only one book per subject which you think covers the topic very well.
9. BE SERIOUS WITH YOUR SCHEDULE
10. Sacrifice your social life for these FIVE MONTHS - YOU ONLY TAKE THE BAR EXAM
ONCE A YEAR, SO THE SACRIFICE SHOULD BE WELL WORTH IT.
17. Pace yourself in answering questions, Don’t waste too much time in one number.
18. The length of your answer depends on the question. DON’T TRY TO GO FOR BREVITY
WHILE SACRIFICING SUBSTANCE.
20. Write Clearly and as BIG AS YOU CAN. Make the examiner’s life easy.
21. NEVER LEAVE BLANKS. You may get a point or two with guesses.
22. ANSWER DIECT TO THE POINT
23. DON’T EVER DISCUSS ANSWERS AFTER THE EXAM.
24. Answer straight from the heart in Ethics.
25. PRAY. ASK FOR GOD’S HELP. FOR WITH HIM, YOU WILL NEVER BE ALONE.
1. Make an Honest assessment of the subjects you are good at, and those you feel have an
inadequate foundation on and adjust the number of days devoted to each subject
accordingly.
2. Avoid unnecessary comparison to the pace of others. We all have our own rhythm according
to the laws of inertia.
3. Perfect your handwriting and Grammar.
4. No need to memorize the laws. If you just memorize, MEMORIZE KEY WORDS OF
IMPORTANT DOCTRINES. Understanding is the key.
5. Short answers don’t necessarily work.
- The answer must be FIRM. I did not cite cases nor specific provisions, but went straight to the
answers. I guess that worked :)
SUNDAY MORNINGS
1. Get up early enough so you don’t need to hurry.
2. Have a decent breakfast.
3. Do not make small talk with people who have obvious psychological problems. (Wag mo kausapin
yung mga NEGA at TOXIC sa paligid mo)
4. BE CONFIDENT. Know when you walk in the exam that you will pass because you are prepared
and well rested.
ACTUAL EXAM
1. Manage your time.
2. Read the questions carefully and organize your thoughts before writing your answer.
3. Keep your answers legible. Stick yo the facts and circumstances presented.
Formal
1. Do not repeat the question
2. Observe margins on both sides of your paper.
3. Write clearly and legibly.
4. Avoid unnecessary erasures.
Top 4 subjects :65% of the total grade The 4 second tier subjects: 35%
1. Remedial law - 20% (10 areas; 4 hours) 1. Taxation - 10% (6 areas; 3 hours)
2. Mercantile law - 15% (22 areas; 4 hours) 2. Criminal Law - 10% (10 areas; 3 hours)
3. Civil Law- 15% (12 areas, 4 hours) 3. Labor - 10% (7 areas; 3 hours)
4. Political and Public International Law- 15% (10 Legal ethics and practical exercises - 5% (4
areas, 4 hours) areas; 3 hours)
STRATEGY
1. KNOWING THE BEAST
To pass the bar, you must have a general percentage of 75% in all subjects without failing
below 50% in any subject. Treat each subject according to degree of difficulty and weight in
grading. Distribute your time putting emphasis on the following order of preference.
NOTE: Ate, read the case of Magallona vs Ermita (about UNCLOS III, EEZ, National territory -
favorite yan sa bar exam especially ngayon na current issue sya DAHIL DUN SA BANGGAAN WITH
CHINA AND PHILIPPINES. Pati yung case ni Delima vs Gemenuino (2016) ba yun (About PHDO or
Pre-holding departure order is only issued by the court and unconstitutional ang black list ng DOJ)
And the landmark cases of today and controversial cases from the last 5 years (eg. Marcos
burial issue “Ocampo case”, Sereno quo warranto case, ombong vs ochoa (lumabas to nung 2018
bar exam about reproductive health bill, ML in mindanao (2 cases yan), Kalikasan Writ,
Intergenerational principle, pati yung case ng Dolphins na pwede irepresent ng mga tao -lumabas sa
bar exam last year (negros case), and other land mark cases)
- Also those decided cases by the bar chair examiners.
- MAGBASA KA NG DYARYO O MANUOD NG BALITA PARA NAMAN ALAM MO YUNG
CURRENT EVENTS NATIN NGAYON SA PILIPINAS KASI RECOMMENDED YAN NG BAR
REVIEWER NAMIN SA POLI NA SI JUDGE SINCO.
WHAT TO READ
CODALS
Review books for each subject
Past bar questions and answers
Your Outlines and notes
Materials given by bar review centers
Commentaries and textbooks
BOOKS
All codes
Reviewers and Guide books such as:
1. Poncevic Ceballos, bar review books , ALL SUBJECTS
2. Sandoval, Pointers in Criminal Law (manipis lang to, pero dito naka base yung syllabus namin sa
criminal law kay Justice Yap)
3. Nachura, Outline reviewer in Political Law
4. Alcantara, Reviewer in Labor and Social Legislations
5. Azucena’s everyone’s Labor Code
6. Aban, Law of Basic Taxation (Ewan ko kung updated ba to, but others use Ingles kasi updated,
Mamalateo-gamit din to sa USC along with INGLES)
7. Villanueva, Commercial Law review
8. Albano, Civil Law reviewer
9. Bernas: The 1987 Constitution (A comprehensive reviewer)
Take time for leisure and sports activities but on a limited scale (pa-massage ka every week! Or
reward yourself after attaining your goal for each day!)
DOWNLOAD “FOREST APP” - I highly recommend you to use and download this app!
PHP 99 sa applestore.Nag download ako kasi ganun gamit ng mga nagbabar exam sa amin PATI
nung Top 2 sa 2018 Bar exam. Magtatanim ka ng halaman, while naka-on internet mo. May time
limit, so pag ginalaw mo cellphone mo, mamatay yung tinanim mo. Oh diba! Nakapagtanim ka na ng
puno, wala pang distraction sa buhay mo, nakaconcentrate ka pa mag-aral.
PACE
My own favorite classical music everytime nag-aaral ako: Fur Elise, Four seasons by Vivaldi, Bach,
Mozart, Moonlight sonata by beethoven, gymnopedies No. 3 and Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico.or
hanap ka sa youtube. Type mo “classical music for studying” madami yan lalabas, good for 3 hours.
Kung gusto mo matulog: Nocturne Op.9 No.2 By Chopin, Yiruma, Claude Debussy pieces, or
Nature sounds. Download ka ng YOGA MEDITATION APP.
Note: wag ka na mag memo-plus gold kasi di yan advisable for long term use. Natural is the best!
Clams, oysters, dairy products (dark chocolate) - (enhances concentration and alertness)
Citrus Fruits. Strawberries, green and red peppers, LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLES (improves
memory and good stamina)
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Prayer
Meditation
Yoga
Pilates
Aerobics
Swimming
Jogging
Massage
Travelling (within limitation lang kasi kailangan mo mag-aral)
Tai chi
Working
Music
Dancing
Singing
Good Conversation (pag gusto makichika, tawagan mo lang ako)
Painting
Good diet (sign na magpapayat ka, wag ka na magdiet pills)
TIME MANAGEMENT
Review the subjects you find difficult AHEAD OF THOSE YOU FIND EASY.
Follow a strict regimen of READING in the EVENING and WRITING in the DAY TIME.
Read the no. Of questions, their subsections and the point for each portion and determine how
much time are you going to spend on each item.
Leave time for the review of your answers
Do not leave the exam room until the last minute.
HANDWRITING
Great handwriting is critical in passing or topping the bar!
Practice writing as if you have just learned how to write.
Copy the answers to the previous bar exams with your own hand.
DO NOT MAKE YOUR HANDWRITING SLANT EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT.
PRINT YOUR WORDS if that will make your handwriting MORE LEGIBLE.
Learn to relax your hand to avoid writing cramps.
Use the VERTICAL FORMAT (if you KNOW ALL the items of the enumeration by numbering
them accordingly)
- The reader may just be looking for required number of items and may give you full points if you
have the number he is looking for in the list.
Use the HORIZONTAL FORMAT (if you DON’T KNOW ALL THE ITEMS)
-Camouflage your ignorance in a paragraph to make the reader work harder to check your answer.
JOJO’S BASIC FORMULA FOR ANSWERING ESSAY PROBLEMS (Atty. Gregorio M. Batallier,
1979 Bar Topnotcher)
It is important to MAXIMIZE the points an examinee can get from a given question.
Do not be a wise guy, give stupid answers and decrease your chances of passing.
Try to get as much credit for your answers as is within your capacity.
Read and analyze the problem. (What is being asked?)
Begin by stating the law or principle involved (RPC, Special Law, SC decision)
Outline the elements of a valid contract, tort, crime or principle.
Apply the facts to the elements of the law or doctrine.
State your conclusion.
- That way, even if you arrive at the wrong answer, the examiner is likely to nonetheless give you
some credit in identifying the law or principle involved.
If you are definite as to the answer, then STATE YOUR CONCLUSION at the VERY FIRST
SENTENCE - FOR IMPACT.
SAMPLE ANSWER OF A NO. 1 BAR TOPNOTCHER (Atty. Janet B. Abuel, 1995 Philippine Bar
Examination)
Answer: NO. The employer cannot classify the lady worker as a handicapped worker because under
the Labor Code, to be a handicapped worker, the physical deficiencies or deformities of a worker
must adversely affect or impair his working ability or capacity in relation to his assigned job.
Here, the law allows the payment of a wage of at least 75% of the applicable daily minimum
wage. The deficiency of the lady worker is unrelated to or does not impair her ability in the
performance of her assigned job. Hence, she should not be classified as a handicapped worker and
should be entitled to the full applicable daily minimum wage.
Answer: No, because under the RPC, novation is not one of the grounds to extinguish criminal
liability. Criminal liability for estafa is not affected by compromise or novation of contract because
estafa is a public offense that must be prosecuted and punished by the State on its own motion,
even if complete reparation has been made of the damage suffered by the offended party.
Answer: Yes, I will defend him. A lawyer should not shirk from his duty to defend those who need
legal services regardless of his opinion or the client’s admission of guilt. The Canons of Professional
responsibility exhort the lawyer should employ all fair and honorable means and use of all evidence
allowed by law to make sure that his client is not deprived of liberty without due process of law.
Answer: Yes because it is a valid exercise of police power. Gambling is an evil that undermines the
social, moral and economic growth of the nation.
Does Robert have a standing to challenge Proclamation 1018?
In the same suit, the Solicitor General contends that the President, as the Commander-in
-Chief, determines whether the exigency has arisen requiring the exercise of his power to
declare Martial Law and that determination is conclusive upon the courts. How should the SC
rule?
The Solicitor General argues, that in any event, the determination whether the rebellion poses
dangers to public safety involves a question of fact and the SC us not a trier of facts. What
should be the ruling of the SC?
The Solicitor General argues that the President reported to Congress such martial law
proclamation., but Congress did not revoke the proclamation. What is the effect of the
inaction of congress on the suit brought by Robert to the SC?
ANSWER:
1. Robert has standing to challenge the Proclamation 1018, because any citizen may question the
sufficiency of its factual basis. (Article VII, sec. 18 ,1987 constitution)
2. The SC should reject the Solicitor General’s contention because the exercise of the power to
proclaim martial law subject to the condition that there is invasion or rebellion and that public safety
requires the sufficiency of its factual basis. (Article VII, Sec. 18)
3. The SC should reject the Solicitor General’s argument, because the Constitution authorizes the
SC to review the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation. The SC is allowed to be trier of
facts here.
4. The inaction of Congress does not affect Robert’s suit, because the SC’s power to review the
sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation is above the power of the Congress to revoke it.