Update (7 September 2008): The first Sunday is almost done. The SC newsflash reported that a “record” 6,533 law graduates are set to take the 2008 bar exams. A higher number (6,560) filed their respective petitions to take the Bar exams, but 11 applications had been denied. 16 applicants withdrew. Let’s hear from the examinees (and those who served in the barops) how’s the first day.
Original post: The release of the results of the 2007 Bar Exams marked the beginning of a discussion, at times heated, on the Supreme Court’s decision to lower the passing rate. We have the reflections of Dean Pangalangan on top of everyone’s comments. There was a call to put a closure on the 2007 Bar Exams. 256 comments later, everyone appears to have accepted the fact that the 2007 bar examination is done and there’s nothing we could do about it. Of course, I could be wrong.
There were suggestions, through the comments in the previous post, to talk about the 2008 Bar Exams instead. While these suggestions were made months back, I couldn’t think of anything to discuss about the 2008 bar exams. Maybe it’s because it would be redundant to deal with matters being discussed at the Bar Exams Forum (phbar.org). Maybe we’re not talking about the tips because there’s going to be a lecture on that in July 26 anyway, courtesy of the gracious 2005 Bar Exams topnotcher (Atty. Joan De Venecia). Maybe it’s because at that time, the 2008 bar exam is still months away. Of course, it’s dead wrong for me to say that there’s still so much time left at this point. For those preparing for the 2008 exams, a little over a month is always too short.
There’s a reason why the bar exam is known as the most difficult “licensure” exam. Bar exams are difficult, and, with all due respect, I disagree with the statement of Justice Azcuna, Chairman of the 2007 bar exams, that bar examinations are not difficult. Each batch is confronted with a different degree of difficulty. Some say it’s difficult in certain years and relatively easier in certain years. But how could we objectively say which year is difficult? For all we know, this year’s bar exam is difficult. Of course, I could be wrong — it’s also entirely possible that it is easier than the last year. The basic reason (and, again, I could be wrong) in people saying that an upcoming bar exam would be difficult or relatively easier appears to be the perceived level of difficulty of the immediately preceding one. This also appears to be true with respect to passing rates. This premise reduces the Bar Committee to a reactionary group, something which is not supported by facts or logic.
However, it is counterproductive to worry about the level of difficulty of this year’s bar exam. This is entirely out of your hands. Stop worrying about things that you can’t control. What you could control is how you review for the exam. You could control how you deal with stress and pressure. As one of my favorite prayers goes: “Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
A few more hours to go, then it’s time to face the bar dragon. Good luck and God bless to all 2008 bar examinees.
Related Posts:- 2008 Bar Exams Questions and Discussion
- Bar Examinees Waiting for March 28
- The waiting game (again)
- Bar Exams Passing Percentage
Tinkering with internet tools comes with the bonus of better understanding how existing laws apply to the third wave - that of technology, particularly the internet. This is also a great medium to disseminate and discuss ideas across borders, time, color or creed. 
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goodluck thomasians! lawyers 2009! roar once more!
God bless to all the future lawyers of SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY (Baguio City) and all the Phil BarEx 2008 Examinees! Study well and pray a lot… (and pray HARD!).
Goodluck and Godbless to all U.E. Barristers!!!! : )
think BIG. dream BIG. achieve BIG.For those who are taking the bar exams for the last time ( under the take 5 rule), once piece of brotherly advise….. dont be discouraged! God has given you so many chances to prove your worth. This is the BEST time.
ONE, not once. Mali pindot. GOOD LUCK!
I wish u all the best…
This is the third time in a row na. Since 2006 and 2007, wala pa rin. Lord God, ibigay mo na. Please.
Thank you po.
When I took the bar exams last year, I took the advice of a Salesian nun, Sis. Celine. She said, “Study as if everything depends on you, and pray as if everything depends on God.” It really worked!
For Catholics like me, you can also say the prayer of St. Joseph of Cupertino for success in examinations. Also, pray to St. Therese of the Child Jesus to help you. Just use the search engines to find the prayers.
Good Luck! You also can make it. Believe in your God-given abilities.
Good luck and god bless to all who will take the BAR exam.. hope you all will make it! just keep on praying! hold on to our dreams guys!
Goodluck to all 2008 barristers…please pray for us!!
May the 2008 Barristers of University of San Carlos Cebu City will bring home the bacon. Godspeed guys..May the force be with you. I am looking forward to be in the same footing hopefully 5 years from now. In Christ Alone..It’s HIM.Say a little prayer.
Desire is the key to motivation, but the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek. (by Mario Andretti)
God’s blessings and wisdom be with all the 2008 Bar Examinees!
goodluck to all the barristers! to the repeaters, don’t be discouraged. this could be the “perfect time” for you, guys. as for me, i passed the bar exams on my fourth try. on the first try, i reviewed full-time for one whole year but failed. on the second try, i didn’t review at all. still failed. on my third try, i resigned from my hard-to-find job, but still to no avail. on my fourth and last try, i worked full-time, even went on business trip a day prior to the pre-week, but passed. it’s my destiny. and i never felt insecure. it’s God’s plan, who can question it? just concentrate on your strong points. never mind if you were not able to read everything or that you seem to forgot everything you read. that’s normal. what is important is that, you tried everything and relied everything on God. never never attempt to calculate your grades after every exam on how you answered the questions or how well you knew the topics. just pray and continue to be humble. if it’s God’s will to make you a lawyer by april 2009,who can prevent it? if it’s not, who are you to question it? God bless!!! keep the faith, future compañeros and compañeras.
pray hard, believe and do your best. God’s grace is ever sufficient.
Ah,I feel like crying guys and gals…