THE PANDEMIC has caused havoc in almost all aspects of our life. And the legal profession is no exception to this. The impact is not only felt by the lawyers themselves but most especially by the law graduates who are supposed to take the Bar Exams this year.
The Bar Exams was scheduled to take place this November 2020. This coming weekend is supposed to be the first Sunday of the Bar and this week should be the start of the first pre-week review.
Lawyers may say that taking the Bar Exams is among the most agonizing experiences of their lives. The month-long exam requires at least four years of law school and months of intensive review. It is evident that under the current conditions, law graduates are faced with a more painful situation.
Aspiring lawyers invest significant time, money and resources into their law school education. They have made many sacrifices in pursuit of their Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws degree. The road to being an attorney is almost there. Unfortunately, they have to wait for a year to take the Bar Exams and an additional six months to wait for the results.
The Philippine Bar Exams format has not changed. It is still a handwritten exam. It is taken in Metro Manila on all Sundays of November every year. However, because of the pandemic, the Supreme Court has to determine the necessary adjustments for the safe and systematic conduct of examinations.
The Bar Exams for 2020 and 2021 have been moved in November next year. It will be held in Manila and Cebu City. An examinee may take the exam in either site. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) along España Street is still the venue in Manila. The venue in Cebu City still has to be chosen once travel restrictions are lifted.
With these new adjustments in venue, it will reduce expenses of individual examinees and the stress of staying in the capital city. The review and actual Bar Exams would take six months and costs are no less than P300,000 if a Bar candidate goes to Manila.
Additionally, there is no need to adjust with the new environment. Examinees are closer to their families and loved ones and this can lessen the pressure caused by the Bar Exams.
There are also some changes in the Bar Exams format. The exams will be digital but proctored. It is a mix of online and written exams.
Considering all of these, it is a tough journey for the Bar candidates. I understand the anxiety and the stress they are dealing with because I also experienced this when I took the Bar Exams.
Nevertheless, they have to look at the bigger picture and consider the situation as a blessing in disguise. They have more time to adjust, to prepare, and to review. It is also the time to assess one’s self as to his or her performance in law school and to check on what areas of law he or she should improve.
It is stressful to think to delay a year in taking the exams, but taking it in the middle of a pandemic definitely adds to the stress./PN
