With the start of the new year, 2008, those who took the 2007 Philippine bar examination are expected to feel an increasing excitement, which is a better way of putting it rather than “fear,” about the results. The symptoms, which will probably get worse as the days pass by, are obvious — sleepless nights, loss of appetite, mental anguish, anxiety, and, possibly besmirched reputation, extreme embarrassment and wounded feelings. These symptoms, by the way, are elements in claiming moral damages (but how could you claim moral damages for something you voluntarily went through?)
There are a number of usual topics after the exams. Who were the examiners? Are the questions difficult? What are the suggested answers? What is the probable passing rate? The last question is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to answer as compared to the others. Examinees, however, would like to believe that there’s a trend. An urban legend, if you will. For instance, some say that a difficult exam follows a year with a high passing rate, and a high passing percentage is expected after a difficult year.
Of course, there’s no proof to this, but, for the sake of discussion, let’s analyze the passing rate for the last 10 years of bar exams. Lito Basilio presented a great graph at the Bar Exams Forum, reproduced below:
Let’s begin with the belief that a high passing rate follows the year with a difficult bar exams. The problem is this: what’s difficult is subjective. Although there’s some consensus on which year is difficult, maybe let’s just assume that a high passing rate follows the year with a low passing percentage, which is presumably – but not necessarily – difficult. You’ll note that the first part of the 10-year period shows a regular cycle of 2-year low percentage, followed by a very high passing rate. Following that cycle, the passing rate for the 2007 bar exams should be high.
But before you feel relieved, you’ll also note that the last 3 years deviated from the trend. Year 2006, which should have a low passing rate if we follow the trend, has a high passing rate. This apparently follows the general belief — a low passing rate follows the year with a high passing percentage. In other words, the passing rate for the 2007 bar exams could be low.
Now, as I said above, there’s absolutely no basis for this urban legend. In relation to this topic, some say that if you’ll have a dream that you failed, you’ll pass. I don’t know if this is true, but I had the scare of my life when I had a dream that I failed (but made it, thankfully). There are school bets that didn’t make it,while there are dark horses. There are those who are confident that they answered correctly and that they’ll make it — but didn’t. On the other hand, there are those who can’t believe that they passed.
Let’s just wait for the judgment day. Good luck and God bless to everyone who took the 2007 bar exams.
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Weng,
Based on the update at the Bar Exams Forum, the PALS and UPLC have not released the suggested answers.
Good luck and God bless.
Good day Atty. Fred!
I am one of the examinees of last year’s bar exam. The other night, my friend, who also took the bar texted me that she is getting anxious about the upcoming result. They say this is normal for all those who took the exam.
Now, that made me wonder. As of now, I don’t feel the same way. Maybe it’s because I have submitted everything to the will of God. I strongly believe that He will give me what is best for me and that everything happens for a REASON.
For my fellow 2007 bar takers, keep on praying.
God bless everyone!
Ever since i came across this article, I have made it a point to check on new responses daily. I bookmarked this link in my computer at the office as well as at home.
I find the posts really comforting. Being one of those who are (as weng calls it)on the judgment row, i somehow feel relieved knowing that there are others who feel almost the same as i do now.
Likewise, i strongly agree with Lito Basilio that dignity is at stake and that some are even praying for our failure. In my case, I am aware that many are really itching to see me fail. But be that as it may, I know that if we give our trust and have faith in Him, He will give us what He knows is best for us.
The long wait had been depressing for me becoz for the entire review until the end of sept, i went on leave from work without pay. I also had to avail of loans from gsis and other local banks which I have started paying since i got back to work again on oct.1. I borrowed money from friends and relatives; and some friends and relatives gave me financial assistance as graduation gift. Worst is, I drained our savings and that of my son’s. With that, the waiting game is even more difficult as I have to pay off all the loans and at the same time think whether i made it or not.
Most of the times, crazy thoughts cross my mind like-was it all worth it? I am trying to think that it was like gambling where the stakes are really high. But for a person like me who really doesnt gamble, it’s really depressing.
Reviewing alone entails a lot of sacrifices as I have to move to another city for my review then to Manila in august for the pre-week. It meant a lot of sacrifices for my family, as well. My son is still in second grade but his studies were also affected by the circumstances and did not make it as a top achiever for the first quarter. (Thankfully, he eventually became a top achiever during the second quarter)
Looking back,I know that it’s been a long journey that is why I always try to convince myself that it’s all worth it. Whatever the results may be, the experience itself taught me a lot of lessons and made me realize that I should be counting my blessings. I came to know who my real friends are and I feel blessed to have them, and my family too.
All that’s left to do now is pray. Time and again, I always say that it’s all up to Him with the hope that our sacrifices would all pay off in the end. I have the same fervent wish not only for my friends who took the exam but for the other 2007 barristers, as well for I know that in one way or another, we have made a lot of sacrifices to come this far.
God bless to us all.
rhea / malditz, I’m glad you find comfort in prayer and putting your trust in Him. You’re correct that you’ve done what you could do and there’s nothing you could do about it now — except to wait and hope for the best. Incidentally, as I’ve noted in a previous post, an important element of hoping is acceptance. You must prepare yourself, as I did during my time, for every possible outcome.
malditz, I’m sure your story would inspire others, in the same way as that of a single mother, Janet Abuel, who topped the 1998 bar exams. It’s gratifying to note that you view those “sacrifices” as challenges in your “journey”. You’ll be amazed that when you look back, you’ll realize you’re much stronger than what you originally thought. By the way, thank you for the kinds words.
What is at stake here is dignity. The fear of being labelled a “flunker or failure” by colleagues and friends scares us most. True, there are lots of sacrifices that we have endured for the bar exam. I feel for malditz, we were at the same boat (go on leave without pay is difficult, but I admire you girl, you’re a working mom pa pala…)During the review I rented a room near DLSU that closely resemble a barracks (that is due to limited budget. I remembered that I always cried during my studies (I have not attended a review class for the same reason.) I cried after the 3rd sunday ( I felt that my answers were below par.) I feel that if I’m not gonna cry I will go insane. Quitting at tye time never crossed my mind – this is not and never an option, most of us are running a tight resources.(I’m still paying for my loans). I always put a facade that I’m ok for my family and friends, but deep down I just want to cry and cry (guess, rock-bottom depression is on me now.)May God help us all to accept the plans he made for us. Bar exam is truly a humbling experience it is a test of fate, courage, endurance and humilty. Godbless and glory to God – the one who will make our dreams possible.
I got news from a friend who works in the Supreme Court under Justice Azcuna that the 2007 Bar results DAW will be out AFTER Holy Week because holy week this year is early.
The oathtaking will be on the 28th daw either March or April….not sure daw basta on the 28th.
When I got that news, I felt like I was gonna faint…..halong excitement and nerbyos. I really leave it all up to God. I always pray to God na ang pag pasa ko sana ay kahet hindi na lang para saken……kahet para na lang sa mga taong mahal ko like my family…..most especially my parents who are really looking forward to my passing this Bar. I want to give back to my parents pride, honor and happiness so I can at least repay them for all their sacrifices and support.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY. Good luck and God bless to us all 2007 baristas!
hay…i also have a friend whos working with philja, and he confirmed it that the oathtaking will be on april 28, and the result will be released atleast 3 fridays prior…hope that we’ll be one of the successful ones!!!!!!!!!
THAT’S kinda eerie!!! basta 28? meaning it could be out this feb. 28 and oath taking this March 28!!! That means its on the encoding, finalizing process! pray dearly my friends, for god, for honor and for country. I formulated this hunch cause the 2007 was the most shortest of all bar exams since I have known of the UP bar exam questions since ’73! There was only 99 Questions in all 8 subjects. God bless to all.
kiP UR FINGERS CROSSED TO ALL BAR EXAMINEES.
WATVER MAY BE D OUTCOME, REST ALL TO THE POWERFUL ALMIGHTY…….
MY HOPE FOR EVRYONE IS NOT TO LOSE URCLF, UR RYT SENSES………
FOR EVERY EXPERIENCE IS JUST ONE PART OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS CALLED LIVING.
GOD BLESS.
others ryt now may alredi hav d idea wether d passd or not for dr r leakages which i dont where it came. last 2005 bar xam i had 1 colleague ho was very certain ( though it was stil jan. n d result came out sa march) dat he passd. his source? a gud friend nearly connected to the pp surrounding d bar xam rsults. Creepy reli huh?
panyera, I’d say that’s unfair to the Supreme Court, which has provided safeguards to make sure that the results are not compromised. While the percentage is known beforehand, the names are known only after decoding, which is done immediately before the actual release of the results.
this is my 5th time to have taken the bar. i just hope i’m one of the lucky ones considering the 5-flunk rule of that Supreme Court. if i’l pass, i want to be a judge. can i be a judge as soon as i pass the bar exams?
thnx and more power!!
Karlmalone ang basta 28th is the oathtaking daw! Not the results.
Kwit_K, its okay if you’ll fail the Bar exams.. not everyone gets the chance to be a lawyer anyway. think of the bright side: there are at least 80 million Filipinos who are not lawyers and you share the same fate. my lawyer-friend who works at the ofc of J. Azcuna says that the passing rate is way below 25%. so those who have failed the bar exams once, better prepare for the 2008 Bar instead. you’re in for a sorrowful holy week.
the topnotcher (daw) is from Ateneo.
I know very well how all of u feel and my prayers r wd u.Three times have i waited to see my name on the list only to fail.I had only 2 mos.leave to review each time due to financial constraints.When i got married i already gave up my dream of being a lawyer.Mahirap maging abugado kng mahirap at may pamilya ka na.After a five year hiatus,through d encouragement of my wife i decided to take the 2006 bar for the last time.I couldnt even buy new books at sayang lang if i didnt make it again.It was d thought of my wife and my daughter that kept me going during those difficult times.I finally passed last year and im not ashsmed to say i cried. Just remember, if u dnt make it, it it doesnt make u less of a person than who u are now.D imprtant thing is never give up.