There’s a lot of comments on the proposed bar exam reforms. Some say that a major overhaul of the entire system is needed. Some, on the other hand, say that the bar exams is acceptable as it is, and no reforms are needed. Perhaps the opinion of the Political Law examiner for the 2007 bar exams, Dean Raul Pangalangan, would carry more weight. Here’s a portion of what Dean Pangalangan said in his PDI column:
We must take the same path taken in the United States: multiple-choice questions and machine-corrected exams. This was already proposed by former Supreme Court Justice Vicente V. Mendoza, but it will entail a radical redesign of the process. Multiple-choice questions are best vetted through a panel of examiners and testing professionals — so there goes the solitary examiner and this whole system of cloak-and-dagger secrecy.
In response, it has been argued that essay questions are needed to judge the candidate’s facility with language and ability to analyze and to explain. Then, I argue, let’s retain a 20 percent essay portion for the exam, but mainly to test expressive abilities. In other words, let’s not overburden the whole process when all we want to target is a specific ability.
During my student days in U.P., our remedial law professor, now Dean Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, gave us one exam consisting entirely of multiple-choice questions. We thought that a multiple-choice exam would be easy. We were wrong, dead wrong, and it was an experience that made many of us wish for more easy-type questions.
In closing, allow me to congratulate the new Dean of my alma mater, Dean Marvic M.V.F. Leonen.
Loading ...- 2010 Bar Exams: Bar Questions, Discussions and Results
- 2011 Bar Exams: Discussions, Bar Questions and Results
- As the Dust Settles, Questions on the Bar Exams
- Bar Exams 2009: Last Sunday Rescheduled
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. 
I would still go for the current set-up, we need more of the essay type as a good barometer to test our knowledge and appreciation of the laws and jurisprudence. I personally believe that there are two culprits on why it so difficult to pass the bar. First, the examiner themselves because they were given wide latitude of discretion to determine the fate of each examinee. Finally, the examinees themselves. All of us prepared hard for the bar and presumably knew all the impt laws and jurisprudence but the problem lies on how we can effectively give a clear, concise and logical answer to each bar problem, grammar included and time constraint. Before i made it, i’m a bar flunker myself. All the negative comments i’ve read from those who didnt make it was also my reaction when i failed it the last time. Last year i attended an 8 sunday sessions (may-june’07) where bar topnotchers from different schools helped us to confront all our fears and overcome them. They shared the manner they prepare for the bar and gladly show us how to tackle bar problems, from the hardest type to the wierd ones. The learning experience i got surely help me to make it this time aside from divine providence of course.
guys..juz wana ask if der’s anybody hu happens to watch in the tv dat a certain juj commented na “bobo” daw mga pumasa ngaun kc dw from 75 ginawang 70…grabe naman..ano pa kaya tawag sa mga hindi pumasa?
Many keep asking or insisting that reforms be made immediately, such as converting the essay-type examination into an 80% multiple choice-type of test. That may be a good way of reforming the bar. But the question is, are we prepared for it?
Most of examinees who failed in the recent bar are clamoring for the change. But don’t you think that such change might be more prejudicial to you and to the rest who will be taking the next one? Even though the reforms has already been initiated a few years back, still many law schools are not modifying their curriculum in such a way that the students would be well versed or prepared in answering multiple choice questions.
It’s a fact that students are still trained to answer essay-type questions, and I’m not surprised if many got low marks on the multiple-choice portion of the last bar. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for reforms, anything to truly and reasonably test the knowledge of the examinee without undue or unnecessary difficulty. All I’m saying is that we’re pushing the SC to initiate bar exam reforms even if we ourselves are not ready for it.
With the proliferation of bar flunkers each year and the dearth of trial/practicing lawyers per SC, I guess its about time for the Supreme Court to revisit the take 5 rule and allow its revision. Failing in the bar is a bilateral route involving the examinees and the examiners. When i took the barex in 2001, many were disqualified in legal ethics. I got 62% but was surprised to learn from a good friend of mine that she passed (76%) despite the fact that she failed to answer 3 questions in legal forms (blanko talaga). UNFAIR? this was not the first time that this examiner, a former associate justice of the CA, acted as such. Can you imagine how many UNDESERVING bar flunkers became his victims?
i agree with webster……….. sana kasi multiple choice nalang kasi at least swak talaga ang mga sagot dun or may points per answer chosen…. at sana 2x na ang bar per year para maging lawyers agad ang mga flunkers….. dapat din ibalik ang mga buklets ng mga bumagsak kasi at least they can look at where they went wrong….ang dami kasing mga bumagsak pero magagaling sila….
hehe..bitter lang kau di kc kau pumasa…gusto ny padaliin ung bar abcd b?hehe..
ganyan naman mga pinoy, pag di pumasa unfair daw, kpag natalo eh dinaya…hay grow up na po noh…kaya til now 3rd world country pa din tau dahil sa attitude at mentality natin..s mga bar flunkers..try harder this time..wag na kau magpakadesperate at umasa na irevised ng SC yan…tagal ng issue yan eh..ipasa nyo na lang kasi..mag self-check kau kung san kau nagkulang, don’t put the blame on the examiners or the SC..kasi u sound pathetic na po..s totoo lang…
@jna
let my comrades who did not make it vent out their feelings and frustrations. they need to unburden themselves of the negative feelings so that they can have a clear mind the next time they take the bar.
it’s a step by step process. and it is the initial reaction of one who is not expecting to fail.
am sure when their minds are already cleared, they will get over the “sour graping phase” and would start anew.
to those who didnt make it, after you are done ventilating such, stop focusing on the things that you have no control of and start improving on those that you have. that way you could you could narrow your attention and energy on self improvement.
to all, let us be humble with victory and gracious with defeat.
obvious naman kasi ang mga negative comments dito came from those who did’nt make it…
kung nakapasa kau i don’t think eh negative mga comments nyo…
hindi na nga pumasa ayaw pang mgpahumble..hay truly empty barrels make most of the noise..huh..
Sakit naman nun jna hehe. Pero you’re right. However, leniency along the lines and premises drawn by ayemempoy is in order din. For those who failed, grieve a bit then start your quest for September ulit. Saka na kayo plan for mass clamors for reform after September. It would be prejudicial for you if you spend precious days reacing for the moon when all you have to do for now is reach for something that is nearer. My sympathies to you guys. I’ll be one with you in asking for more transparency with regard to the checking of the answers. But I’ll reserve any overt act towards that end after September.
good news! latest news from SC-lahat daw ng nagtake last year eh ipapasa na..nabasa dw kc ng mga justices ang comments nyo..hehe..(joke,joke,joke)masyado po kc tayong seryoso..
sana po sa mga magreretake pumasa na kayo dis year…kc po bk next year may reklamo na naman kayo…
sori sa mga nasaktan..bato-bato po sa langit ang tamaan wag magagalit..alam nyo, ganyan talaga ang lyf..accept the things that cannot be changed…try harder nalang po dis coming bar…