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Preparing For Bar Review: Five Areas of Preparation
Preparing For Bar Review: Five Areas of Preparation
Physical Preparation
Be physically fit during the review and the exam. Try to get a regular exercise and be conscious of your diet. Take vitamins and
supplements. Prevent the risk of getting sick or catching a virus for this can impede your review
Get enough rest and recreation. The body has its limits. Studying continuously can take its toll on your health. A quick break
every now and then will not cause you any harm.
Adjust your body clock. Train yourself to follow the schedule of the bar exams usually 8 to 12 and then 2 to 5. Study during
these hours.
Emotional Preparation
Abandon all your emotional problems. Appraise your family and friends about what preparing for the bar entails and how
important the bar is so that they can be more understanding about your state. The last thing a reviewee needs is an added conflict
or source of stress when the bar itself is undoubtedly emotionally draining enough. Surround yourself with a support group that can
keep you focused.
Psychological Preparation
Believe in yourself. Not everyone can go through what you went through in law school.
Always think that you will top the bar. Strive to give your best effort. Do not be content with being mediocre.
Do not be afraid. First, you have everything it takes to pass the bar. Second, if you feel that you are still unprepared, the review
will prepare you better. Third, at the end of the day, the Bar exams are qualifying exams breathe.
Spiritual Preparation
Pray. Pray. Pray.
Important!
Brush up on your English.
Improve your penmanship. If you cannot seem to do anything about it, write in bigger letters.
Start using the pen that you will be using during the bar. Get used to it.
CIVIL LAW
Read Civil Code and latest cases on Saturday
REMEDIAL LAW
Read Rules of Court and recent cases on Saturday
CRIMINAL LAW
COMMERCIAL LAW
Read from where you left off and latest cases
LABOR LAW
Read Constitution and Pre-Week on Saturday
TAXATION
On the Saturday before the bar TAKE THE WHOLE DAY OFF. Atty. Villanuevas timetable contemplates 22 weeks of Bar Review,
so revise accordingly if you plan to use this timetable.
12 days
14 days
14 days
8 days
2nd Reading
Political Law, Labor Law
Civil Law, Tax
Criminal Law, Commercial Law
Remedial Law, Ethics
8 days
14 days
14 days
12 days
3rd Reading
Remedial Law, Ethics
Criminal Law, Commercial Law
Civil Law, Tax
Political Law, Labor Law
9 days
9 days
9 days
9 days
Suggested Books
Political Law
Labor Law
Civil Law
Taxation
Commercial Law
Criminal Law
PEREZ
VILLANUEVA, Commercial Law Review
Atty. Jimenezs transcript of 4th year
classes
Atty. Jimenezs cases on commercial law
Remedial Law
Ethics/Forms
BarOps Reviewer
Look at the forms in Juan-Bautista, The Elements
of Legal and Judicial Ethics & Practical Exercises
(I only read the forms part, the stuff on ethics is
just way too long)
Labor Law
Azucena, Everybody's Labor Code
Alcantara & Alcantara, Reviewer on Labor Law
Abad Compendium
Labor Law Reviewer 2002 (Manuel)
Civil Law
Jurado Civil Law Review [special
contracts]
The Family Code by Sempio-Dy [persons]
Balane Jottings [succession]
Del Castillo Reviewer [property]
Balane Reviewer [Oblicon]
Zuniga
Handout
on
Securities
Transactions
Villanueva Outline on Sales
Taxation
Vitug/Acosta
Co Untian Q&A
Mamalateo Tax Law Review
Domondons Cut and Paste
Commercial Law
Perez Compendiums [for Big Four: Corp,
Insurance, Nego, Transpo]
Sundiang, Commercial Law Review
Catindig [on small commercial laws]
Jack Transcripts
Criminal Law
Gregorio, Criminal Law Review
Sandoval, Pointers in Criminal Law
Ortega Reviewer
Pimentel Notes for SPL
Crim 1 at a glance handout
Remedial Law
Regalado, Compendium in Remedial Law
San Beda Magic Notes
Legal Ethics
Aguirre, Legal & Judicial Ethics: Pre-Week
Reviewer
Pano, Bar Reviewer in Legal & Judicial Ethics
Te Reviewer
2 days:
Ethics [23-24
September]
BAR DAY: 25 September 2005
Books Read
3.
2.
4.
5.
6.
Read this manual (at least thrice). That was the first thing I did to prepare for the Bar.
Psyche yourself. Understand the nature of the Bar Exam. Nothing comes close to the Bar. It, therefore, should not be
surprising that preparing for the Bar will require every barristers 101%. Bar Review is synonymous to SACRIFICE.
Understand that you have to forego things you love when you prepare for the bar. The earlier you say bye-bye to your happy
days, the better. The bar exam requires serious, systematic and smart preparation.
Choose your review materials wisely. It is so time-consuming to shift to another material and start all over again.
a. Be partial to those books/materials you have already read during your law school days, provided, of course, they are
bar review materials (i.e. reasonable in length). One, reading them will take less time, as you dont have to highlight
or mark them. Two, it contains your notes. Three, even by just looking at the material, youll know where the
important parts/concepts are.
b. Its better to have a copy of a reviewer/handout and then decide not to read it than to have no copy of it and then
decide you need it. Its best to have options.
c. Tables and diagrams in reviewers (Ateneo, Beda) are useful.
Organize your review materials. Time is of the essence during bar review. You cannot afford to waste time by looking for
misplaced review materials. I maintained eight drawers for each of the subject. This is also a good way to store all the
reviewers youll get.
Make a schedule and follow it. Count the number of days from the start of your review until the last day before pre-week
Anticipate and exclude all those dates when you cant study. (Youll realize you dont have much time!) Divide these days per
subject (and per book) according to your preference. Subjects which are longer or which you have weak foundation in should
be given priority. Be flexible, though. Adjustments are inevitable. Still, a schedule is a must to provide a guide as to how many
days you can allot for every reading. (I misplaced the notebook which contains my sched. Sorry. Anyway, youre the best
person to know what suits you this applies not only in making a sched but for the entire bar preparation as well. )
Dont procrastinate. You cant buy time. There is not enough time! (I cant stress this enough.) There is no way to stretch
your review period you can only reduce time allotted for one subject to make up for another. This is the best time to bribe
your friends (who are not preparing for the Bar), family and loved ones to do tasks for you (like buying your pens, books,
getting review materials, preparing meals, etc.)
Still, be kind to yourself. Set aside some time to relax and breathe. Sometimes your brain just cant absorb anymore. Youll
be more effective if you stop reading. Watch a movie, go out, have dinner with your loved ones, whatever. (But not too long,
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
just enough to recharge you.) I went out during Saturdays. When I feel tired or when I feel my brain cannot absorb more info, I
stop - watch t.v., sleep, mangulit sa mga kapatid ko esp. Kenneth, Udy, Mae.
Monitor your progress. I logged both the number of hours spent reading and the number of pages I covered. This helped
me paced myself. This may not work for everyone though. April and early May, I was so slow I think 50 pages a day. I
started logging my hours end of May. Come August (siguro dahil sobrang takot na ko), I averaged 150 to 200 pages and 9
hours a day.
Study smartly. Do not read too many stuff. Streamline. Codal provisions, a good reviewer for each subject and updates on
jurisprudence should suffice. (note that I did not read all the review materials I listed 3x) Master the basics. Knowing what is
important and relevant makes a big difference. Understand the substance of the law and know how to apply the law. Force
yourself to absorb what you have reviewed. Recall legal provisions during your spare time. Listen to audio codals when you
travel.
Take care of your health. Try to get regular exercise, even 30 minutes a day. (This I failed to do, so during the exam days, I
had difficulty breathing. My sister told me it may be because I gained a lot of weight and failed to exercise for a loooong
period). Nutritious food. Vitamins. Vaccines. And get enough sleep everyday! (at least 9 hours for me) Your brain processes
info while sleeping. Manage your stress.
Ask for understanding and support of your family, friends, esp. boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband. Let them know what
youre going through to prepare for the Bar Exam. The last thing you need is additional source of stress when the Bar is
draining enough. Avoid distractions. Avoid conflicts in your personal relationships with others.
Choose the review classes youll attend wisely. I did not attend too many review classes (I recommend Domondon on
Tax Remedies and Balane on updates on jurisprudence). I realized that I would cover more topics by reading. Note that a lot
of your time will be wasted by preparing, going to school, the useless talks, etc. (This may not apply if you plan to study in
school.) If there are handouts for a given lecture, I suggest that you dont attend the class anymore. Most probably, the lecturer
will only repeat whats already in the handout. This also applies if the lecturer was your professor. Weigh the pros and cons of
attending a review class. (But make your assessment quick, you cant spend much of your time assessing whether to attend or
not.)
Strive for 3 readings, excluding pre-week. I did 3 readings. Dont memorize on your first reading. Just familiarize yourself.
1st reading was the lightest for me (I just highlighted my materials and made marginal notes). Second reading: force yourself to
absorb what you are reading. Thus, this will take a longer time. (I think, I started making short notes on my second reading for
some subjects. Late ko narealize I need these notes pala). Third reading: I reviewed the short reviewers, some codal
provisions, and my short notes.
Dont compare yourself with others. It will only add up to the pressure. Thats why you have a schedule. Bar preparation is
an individual task.
Handwriting
a. Practice writing legibly and FAST.
I dont have good handwriting. And my hands tire easily. (I remember my
Persons exam; I wanted to cry because my hand was already twitching, I cant control it. A friend commented that
my Oblicon bluebook is dirty) With these, I knew practising my handwriting is a must. If the examiner cant
understand my handwriting, all my preparation will be put to waste. I didnt maintain a regular schedule for this
though. I think I set aside 30minutes to 1 hour on some Saturdays (it was not really regular). I used grade 3 pads.
Pero, on the exam day itself, I reverted to my usual as and ss. Pero at least better kahit papano ang handwriting
ko. Practice really helped. The Bar exam is long you need to develop stamina.
b. Learn to write really big! Your letters should at least be readable with proper spacing. Dont forget the margins.
c. Choose your pen now. I used Rotring pigmented ink .4.
Try to read the past Bar exams once I a while. A least be familiar with the style in answering questions.
Dont worry about your physical appearance. Dont worry if youre getting fat. Remember youll have all the time to get slim
again after the Bar.
Pray. Whenever you feel tired, scared, bothered, pause and talk to God. Submit everything to Him. Have faith. You cant
conquer the Bar by yourself alone. Do your best, let God do the rest.
Decisions. Decisions. In your review, you will have to make a lot of decisions. Whether to shift from one book to another, whether
to read a new handout, whether to attend a review class. There are no easy answers for these questions. I only suggest one
approach pause, reflect, assess yourself, ask for Gods guidance, decide. After making your decision, abandon all worries and
move on (yes this is difficult. But who said Bar preparation is easy?
Books Read
Political Law
Bernas Primer
Nachura Political Law Reviewer
Magallona Primer in International Law
Atty. Jack Jimenez Recent Jurisprudence in
Political Law Handout
Atty. Jack Jimenez Handouts on Election Law
Atty. Agra Survey of New Laws and
Jurisprudence on Election Law
Beda Reviewer on PIL
Constitution
Labor Law
Azucena Everyones Labor Code
Alcantara (I suggest only the Social
Legislation part of this book.)
Handouts/Transcript
of
Atty.
Marlon
Manuels Lecture
Social Legislation Beda/Ateneo Reviewer
Civil Law
Persons Sempio-Dy
Property and Oblicon Balane Reviewer
Succession Succession Reviewer (Champ
Reyno); Jottings by Balance (scanned this only);
Legitime, intestate combinations
Land Titles and Conflict of Laws Beda
Reviewer
The rest (Special Contracts, Sectrans, Torts,etc.)
Jurado
Code (super long though)
Taxation
Mamalateo
Co-Untian
Domondons Handout
Beda Reviewer Table of Taxes
NIRC
Commercial Law
Nego, Insurance, Transpo and Corp Perez
Review Books (note: Perez on Transpo is quite
long. Try other books for transpo)
Sundiang
Catindig
Atty. Jack Jimenez Transcript of 4th year
classes (especially Banking handouts)
Code on Insurance (only the relevant provisions),
Nego, Corp
Criminal Law
Boado Book 1 and 2
Ortega Book 1
Beda Reviewer
Judge Pimentel Reviewer Book 2 (as
supplement)
RPC Book 1
De Castro Special Penal Laws
Remedial Law
Rules of Court
Regalado (this is may be too long for review)
Beda Reviewer
Legal Ethics
Canons, Lawyers Oath and Rules
Aguirre
Short handouts on Forms (that which
contains formula for all legal forms)/Beda
Legal Forms (scanned it only)
first exam week, I wouldve read the two subjects at least twice. (The first exam week is CRUCIAL. It will determine your mood for
the whole month.)
July to August, I started clocking-in 10-12 hours a day. I also started studying on weekends during these months.
Holidays, included.
4.
What are the materials/books used in each subject? (Is it advisable to read the book again? Or are reviewers
sufficient?)
Leave nothing to chance. If you come by something and you doubt whether to read it or not, just read it anyways. I read almost
everything that was thrown my way, but I stuck with the following texts throughout the review:
a. Political Law Justice Nachuras outline, Fr. Bernass Primer, Atty. Jimenezs Notes on Administrative Law, Election Law,
and recent jurisprudence, Magallona (thin version) for PIL. Codal.
b. Labor Law Atty. Azucenas Everyones Labor Code, Atty. Manuels lecture and 100 notes, Alcantara and Atty. Disinis
notes for Social Legislation. Codal.
c. Civil Law Atty. Balanes outline for the preliminary chapters of the Civil Code, Persons, Property, Obligations and
Contracts, and his Succession Book, Atty. Zunigas notes for Security Transactions, Aquinos book for Land Titles,
Jurados Civil Law Reviewer, Sempio-Diy for Persons and Conflict of Laws. Codal.
d. Taxation Mamalateo and Sababans Tax Review books, Atty. Monteros and Atty. Abellas notes. Codal.
e. Commercial Law Dean Villanuevas Commercial Law Review, Sundiang/Aquinos Book Reviewer, Perezs books on
Insurance, Corporation Law, and Transportation, Catindigs book on Special Commercial Laws, Dean Abads Negotiable
Instruments Law.
f.
Criminal Law Gregorios Criminal Law Reviewer, Boados Notes and Cases on Criminal Law, Justice Sandovals
Criminal Law Reviewer, and Justice Peraltas lecture notes. Codal.
g. Remedial Law Dean Riano for Evidence and Civil Procedure, Justice Regalado for everything else, San Bedas
Reviewer, and Justice Aquinos notes and recent jurisprudence.
h. Ethics and Forms Aguirres book on ethics, Dean Abads notes for Legal Forms. Codal.
As to whether to use reviewers or books, for me, I think its best to stick to one thick book reviewer, one small book reviewer, and the
codal provisions. If youre not comfortable with this set-up, do whatever works for you.
5.
When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation?
I started studying during the Holy Week of last year, which was about the second week of April. By graduation, I had
already finished Taxation (I did two readings for my first reading of this subject), Political Law, Labor Law, and was half-way
through Criminal Law. About two weeks after graduation, I had already finished my first reading.
6.
How many readings were you able to do?
Before pre-week, I was able to do 5 readings of Political Law, Labor Law, Tax Law, and Civil Law, 4 readings of
Commercial Law, Criminal Law, and Remedial Law, and had memorized all the canons for judicial and legal ethics.
All-in-all, pre-week included, I was able to do 5-6 readings of all the subjects, excluding ethics and forms (of which I did
two readings plus memorization).
7.
Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify.
I attended the following lectures at the Law School: Domondons tax review, Justice Hofileas lecture on Property, Justice
Aquinos lecture on ethics, Professor Quimsons lecture on Corporation Law and Securities Regulation (essential!), Atty.
Candelarias PIL lecture, Atty. Jack Jimenezs and Justice Agras lecture on the Admin/Public Officers/Local Government/Election
Law, Atty. Balanes Succession lecture (just because I revere him), Atty. Zunigas Security Transaction lecture (essential!), Atty.
Bernass lecture of Conflict of Laws, Atty. Sta. Marias last-minute lecture on Persons (essential!), and all the recent jurisprudence
lectures.
Atty. Diaz and Dean Villanuevas lectures on how to prepare for the bar are very, very crucial. They present different styles
of studying. Pick one and start from there.
Also, do try to attend ALL of the pre-week lectures. Atty. Jimenez (Poli and Comm), Atty. Manuel (Labor), Atty. Montero
(Tax), Atty. Balane and Dean delos Angeles (Civ), Atty. Salvador (Rem), and Justice Hofileas (Ethics and forms) last-minute tips
are VERY, VERY helpful.
8.
Hardest subject?
Interestingly, I found Civil Law to be the hardest subject. The coverage is simply too long. Suffice it to state, it was
probably the only subject I was not able to re-read entirely during the pre-week.
9.
Easiest subject?
Political law. Atty. Jimenez was able to predict at least fifty percent (50%) of the questions, after all.
10. What did you do the night before each test?
I attended mass at the hotel every week, after which my roommate and I discussed a few points. We tried to sleep by
10pm but on some weeks, we ended up sleeping at around 11. Pray before you sleep and first thing when you wake up.
11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam?
Procrastinating. You are entitled to give yourself a break, once in a while. After all, you need your sanity for the bar.
However, keep in mind that you are, at this moment, a bar reviewee. Your primary task, therefore, is to review and to prepare for the
bar.
There are, nevertheless, exceptional circumstances when some of your batchmates/co-reviewees/others will need you.
Go out of your way and help them, if you can. Remember that being a bar-reviewee does not make you any less of a human being.
12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar?
a. Taking all of my four years of law school seriously;
b. Re-studying and preparing like theres no tomorrow; and
c.
Leading up to the exam days, Fr. Mangulabnan and Atty. Mel Sta. Marias pep-talks every Saturday morning (gave me the
confidence I needed week after week in September).
assure you that the examiner will understand your answer. But do find the right balance between writing slow and legibly
vis-a-vis answering all the questions. Both are equally important and you should do both.
g. Minimize unnecessary stress. Don't let little things get to you. Have a positive attitude while studying and while taking the
exams. Don't fight with your girlfriend, your family, or anyone. You already have a lot on your plate, don't add anything
unnecessary to it. Live a simple steady life during the review period, you can always go all out later on after you pass.
Don't read negative stuff like phone and credit card bills.
h. Outsource chores to other people; keep your own focus on studying and learning as much as you can. e.g. ask your
girlfriend to handle your accounting and bills payment so you don't have to think about those, ask your auxie to do
photocopying instead of doing it yourself. Remember to thank them always.
i.
Have a concrete goal. If you want to top the bar, then aim for it. If you want to just pass, then aim for that as well. Have a
concrete goal and set your plans accordingly around such goal. Don't let fear of the uncertain, anxieties, or despair cause
you to deviate from this goal. You will have moments of despair and panic, but if you have a goal, you will eventually get
over these negativities as you realize that they will not help you attain that goal.
j.
Be prepared. Anything worth doing takes time. Boxers train months before a fight, so that they can be confident of being
able to defeat their opponent on fight day. Do the same. Arm yourself with all the knowledge and information that you can
get; you will use this to overcome the Bar. Being prepared will give you confidence, and that is critical on exam day
proper. Your confidence in yourself that you are ready to take on this task is probably one of the most important, if not the
most important factor that will spell the difference between victory and defeat. If you don't believe you can defeat your
opponent, then you probably won't.
2.
Describe your typical study day (Did you study alone? In groups?)
Wake up at 2-3pm, drive to study place (Starbucks Julia Vargas or Starbucks jungle). Listen to audio lectures during the
drive so as not to waste that time. Study for 3-4 hours before having dinner. After dinner, I take a short break, surf the web, chat with
study buddies, before resuming studying. Study for another 3-4 hours. I usually end studying around 3-4AM. Go home, sleep around
6AM. Repeat the next day.
I studied with an informal group, the ones who also studied in my study place. But I studied in my own table, far from
everyone else, to avoid unnecessary chit chat and time wasting. You can always talk to your study buddies during your short breaks.
Keep study time, study time.
3.
What is your review schedule on a daily and monthly basis?
I started with the subjects I'm weakest in (Poli, Crim, Rem). In between each I would study a subject I am more
comfortable with. I studied at least 5 days a week, with the remainder reserved for short vacations and other stress relieving
activities. Started May 8, ended first round of reading July 8 (one week late from my target). I did not have a fixed daily, weekly,
monthly sched; only target dates. On certain "in the zone" days, I would study for 10-12 hours to make up for the days when I wasn't
able to reach my daily average of 8 hours.
4.
What are the materials/books used in each subject? (Is it advisable to read the book again? Or are reviewers
sufficient?)
Do not tell yourself that you will re-read a book. Read it once, absorb it, then find another book on the subject. Reviewers
are godsend, they will usually teach you more than full text books. Read all reviewers you can get from ATENEO, Beda, and other
sources. Since you will not re-read, then there will be no need to highlight; since you are not highlighting, then you will finish reading
faster.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
PRIMUS Notes for ALL subjects. These are very educational, well written, and direct to the point
Mamalateo Book - Tax . short and direct to the point. You can finish this in one day.
Azucena Everyone's Labor Code - same as #2, easy to read, direct, and can be finished in a day or two
Domondon's book for tax
Nachura's book for poli - I read this twice just because Nachura is the chairman of the exams
Father Bernas Consti Primer - you can't go wrong with this one
Sempio Dy for Civ
Sta. Maria for Family Code. But skip most long discussions; alot of them are for law school recits, not needed for Bar.
CLV book for Corp - same as #8, skip those that are for recits.
All ATENEO and Beda reviewers you can get your hands on. But I did not read the long Beda ones.
Every pre-week you can get your hands on. Mine included: AQUILA, ATENEO, Beda, Arellano, Regina, PRIMUS,
and scattered pre-week tips from various profs.
l.
Audio lectures - there's a lot of tips in these. Listen during commutes to maximize your time. Do not listen to these
going to bed, you will not be able to sleep on time. Do not listen while reading a book.
m. Past bar exams from 2000-2008. Only read this after you have studied to test your ability to answer them. After 1st
reading you will find that you still can't answer some of them. After 2nd reading / round, you should be able to answer
at least 90%. For the 10% you still can't answer, read and reread the provided answers so they will stick.
n. Family Code, RPC, CIV, Consti, and COMM codals. One good full reading of these will make sure your mind has
read the full law itself, useful for random questions that make their way into the bar
5.
When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation?
Started May 8. Finished round 1 July 8. Finished round 2 just before pre-week. I didn't study after graduation; I took a long
vacation.
6.
How many readings were you able to do?
Two full rounds plus pre-week. 1st round was mostly books, 2nd round was mostly long reviewers, then pre-week read
pre-week stuff.
7.
Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify.
Attended very few of the lectures. I asked someone to record them instead so I can listen to them during transit from
house to study place and back. During pre-week, attended Jack, Azucena, and Sta. Maria. Its ok to miss most of the lectures if you
can get audio recordings.
8.
Hardest subject?
Poli Law. 1st exam and it was very tricky. Ethics is next because it was long.
9.
Easiest subject?
Commercial Law, then Tax.
10. What did you do the night before each test?
Friday: Check in at hotel at noon, study pre-weeks nonstop till around 7. Have dinner, study again till 12midnight, then do
relaxing stuff after. Sleep at around 3-4AM.
Saturday: Wake up at noon. Lunch. Study till 6PM. Hear mass. Go back to room for dinner and some last minute
reviewing. In bed by 10PM. Attempt to sleep. Fail. Continue attempting. Succeed around 1-2AM.
Sunday: Wake up 4:30. Breakfast, read Tips. Exercise. Game on.
11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam?
Unnecessary stresses, doubting yourself, alcohol, negativities, and wasting time.
During exam day proper: Don't let any question overwhelm you. If you don't know the answer, skip it. Go back later when
you've answered the rest. Make sure you answer every question even the ones you don't really have a good answer to. Remember
to leave room in the booklet for the questions you skipped. Don't take the bar on an empty stomach, it will be the longest 4/3 hours
of your life repeated 8 times. Poop during the period between the two exams, and do freshen up by brushing your teeth and washing
your face during lunch break.
12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar?
The AQUILA LEGIS FRATERNITY. I also had two amazing auxies (Laura Noel and Mark Encarnacion).
5. When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation?
I started reading a bit of Crim before grad. I am not a fast reader so I had to start early. I finished my first reading end of
June, and finished my second reading on the day before the first exam.
6. How many readings were you able to do?
Two.
For Land titles, special penal laws, forms and other subjects where theres not much stock knowledge I think one
reading is enough, but make sure you read them right before September or the day before the exam.
7. Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify.
I attended Atty. Domondons tax lecture, Atty. Jacks lecture on public officers, admin and election, and all lectures on
recent cases.
Pre-week I wasnt able to attend any lecture during the first week
- Two days of Atty. Monteros lecture on tax, his notes on recent cases were helpful
- Dean Cynthia Del Castillos lecture on oblicon
- Atty. Salvadors lecture on rem (three days)
Note: I heard Atty. Manuels pre-week lecture on labor was very helpful, and Atty. Jacks lecture on poli, too.
8. Hardest subject?
Tax (Pinawisan ako kahit ang lamig sa LaSalle!)
Also, there were a couple of ridiculous true or false questions. If you dont know the answer, just write true and
repeat/paraphrase the statement.
9. Easiest subject?
(Not because theyre very easy, but because theyre the most manageable)
Poli only because I was lucky that I just finished my second reading of Justice Nachuras book the day before the exam so
everything was still fresh.
Civ, except for the conflicts questions
10. What did you do the night before each test?
Attended the mass officiated by Fr. M at Sofitel, where we also got Divine tips Dinner
Studied right before going to sleep (normally 11 pm to 12 mn, except for the last week 1 am because my roommate
(Shelly) and I practiced making basic forms (complaint and information):P Im glad we did!)
11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam?
While reviewing - Quality over quantity. Make sure you absorb and understand the things you read. Stop comparing. Itll
drive you crazy. (It is unavoidable, but please try to avoid it. Im guilty of this, and it caused me unnecessary panic attacks.)
While taking the exam/day of the exam - Dont panic. Eat breakfast and lunch. Read the tips.
12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar?
Dont change your study habits, especially if it worked for you in law school. Some people absorb more while cramming,
while others dont.
Rest and Sleep! We are not machines.
Know what to study. It is impossible to read everything so you have to choose what to read or where to focus, especially
during pre-week.
For Political Law, I used Fr. Bs primer for Constitutional Law, and Justice Nachuras book for everything else. Then I used
Atty. Jac Jimenez recent jurisprudence for pre-week.
For Labor, I used Prof. Azucenas Everyones, but focused a lot during Atty. Manuels pre-week lecture.
For Civil Law, I used my notes and materials from Prof. Balanes Civil Law Review II in fourth year. Conflicts, I got SempioDys book. For everything else I used Jurado. Pre-week I just used our pre-week reviewer.
For Taxation, I used Mamalateo. I later heard there were shorter books, but I didnt want to stop midway through just to change
books. I also put a lot of focus in Atty. Mike Monteros pre-week lecture.
For Commercial Law, I used Dean CLVs book for everything except Dean Abads Negotiable Instruments Made Easy, which is
what I used in second year. Then I used Atty. Jac Jiminez recent jurisprudence during pre-week.
For Crim, I used Gregorio for book one and a reviewer for book two. I think there was a shorter book by Boado that I wish I
had read instead to save me a little bit more time. Then I just used our pre-week reviewer.
For Remedial Law, I used Riano for Civil Procedure, and just a summer reviewer for everything else. Of course, you have to
go straight codal as well. I did that during pre-week, along with Tranquils lecture.
For Ethics and Forms, I just used the Ateneo reviewer, and Dean Abads three or four page memory aid in forms.
5.
When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation?
I tried to start in May and June, but I found myself way too bored and distracted thinking that the bar exams were still
three or four months away at that time. Most days Id barely make 10 pages. Some days I didnt read at all. So I figured if my mind
really didnt want to absorb any information yet, then I shouldnt force it. Again, thats the style I got used to in school.
Thankfully, I finally felt the need to really get going around July. So early that month, I finished my first subject and kept
going strong from there. To steal a few words from Freddie Roach, maybe starting at the right time allowed me to peak at the right
time. So I think starting in July was just right for me.
6.
How many readings were you able to do?
One good one.
7.
Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify.
I didnt attend any review classes over the summer. But I went to a number of pre-week lectures that helped a whole lot
namely , Labor by Atty. Manuel, Succession by Prof. Balane, Tax by Atty. Mike Montero, Commercial Law by Atty. Jac Jimenez (and
I wish I attended his Political Law as well), and Remedial Law by Atty. Tranquil Salvador. I would even say that I owe just passing
the bar exams to those professors.
8.
Hardest subject?
Political Law, hands down. I think I got hit by what my friends and I call, gulpe de gulat. After that test, I even told those
close to me that I thought I was going to get DQd for it. But thankfully I realized that more than anything, I was just psyching myself
out. I was just initially shocked by the whole bar exam atmosphere.
9.
Easiest subject?
Civ or Comm, but Id rather call them the least difficult.
10. What did you do the night before each test?
Ate well and rested well. Sleep was more important than cramming. And September means UAAP Final Four, so wed
always catch the Saturday games on TV just for a get loose and for added inspiration too, as we watched the Eagles draw closer
to another title.
11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam?
Avoid adding unnecessary pressure on yourself.
During the review, dont get pressured by what books or how many readings others have already gone through. We all
graduated using our own styles of studying. Stick to what you know. Trust that what got you through school will get you through the
bar exams.
During the tests, do not panic. If you do, itll be like quicksand. Even if theres one question or two or three even that
you think you dont know the answer to, just shake it off, move on to the next and come back for it later. Each test may seem like
the longest and toughest one youve ever taken, but youve gone through those same feelings in school before. Remember, you
made it through all of those. You can make it through this.
12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar?
I ran into two of my former teachers during the bar review one from law school, one from college. One told me the bar is
about kompyansa. The other said yabang lang yan. I understood both to mean confidence. That was the best advice I ever
got.
I did every little thing I could to help me go into each Sunday feeling good about myself. I played with my PS3, watched
UAAP games, chose rooms that had my favorite number, wore the same clothes every Sunday, listened to the same playlist every
Sunday morning and drank with my barkada the last two weeks of August just to get loose. I did all the things that made me
confident enough to take the bar exams and pass. I believe that everyone who graduates from the Ateneo Law School is smart
enough to pass. Its just a matter of each person knowing it.
List down your materials, and start gathering them before you start your review.
If your study style in law school worked for you, follow the same style for your review.
Do not forget to pray.
I reviewed alone, but Id occasionally consult with some batchmates the issues I cant resolve on my own.
My daily schedule includes many short washroom, phonecall , stretching, etc. breaks (This will work if you, like me, have a
short attention span.)
I am not really a morning person. My peak hours would be during the evening up to 1 or 2 am.
I did not adjust my sleep cycle, unlike what most people have done. The earliest I was able to get up during the review
was at 8 a.m., but I gave up after like 2-3 days of waking up this early.
I only finished two readings. I was able to finish my first reading in mid-July.
POLITICAL LAW: Primer, Nachura, Beda and Ateneo latest jurisprudence, Agra Notes, Codal
LABOR LAW: Everyones Labor Code, Manuel Notes, Ateneo Summer Reviewer, Latest jurisprudence, Codal
CIVIL LAW: Jurado, Balane Succession, Sempio-Diy Persons, ObliCon Balane Outline, PIL by Sempio-Diy, Pre-bar
Outline by Candelaria, Ateneo and Beda latest jurisprudence, Codal
TAX LAW: Mamalateo, Reyes 1&2, Co-untian, Domondon, Ateneo and Beda latest jurisprudence, Codal
COMMERCIAL LAW: CLV Commercial Law Review, Commercial Law Review by Sundiang and Aquino, Jac Jimenez
Notes, Ateneo and Beda latest jurisprudence, Codal
REMEDIAL LAW : Beda Memory Aid, Feria Noche and Sabio for reference, latest jurisprudence, Codal
ETHICS AND FORMS: Aguirre, Pano, Hofilena, Beda Memory Aid, Codal, Forms Reviewer by (Dean) Justice Abad
5.
When did you start to study? Did you study right after graduation?
2 readings only, but very slow and thorough. This was really my study style even back in law school.
7.
Did you attend the review classes in Ateneo? Did it help you? If only in certain subjects or professors, please specify.
I did enroll in the Ateneo review classes, but did not attend except for the very first - How to study for the Bar. I felt that
preparing to go to school and travelling to school would take up so much of my time. And I am able to absorb better, the
things I read rather than the things I hear. It will really depend on what your style is. Some people, unlike me, absorb
better the things they hear
8.
Hardest subject?
Tax Law, Criminal Law, and Ethics and Forms (because it was long)
9.
Easiest subject?
No easy subject, but there were familiar and answerable questions in every subject.
10. What did you do the night before each test?
Hear mass
Pray
Try to get some sleep (During the night before the first Sunday, I was still up at around 2 a.m. as I couldnt sleep!)
11. What are things that you should avoid while reviewing or taking the exam?
Try not to discuss answers specially after the morning exam because you need as much time you can get to prepare for
the next exam.
Avoid unnecessary stress.
12. What is the best thing you did or had that helped you top the bar?