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BAR REVIEW TIPS
(This topic is a thread in the Pinoylaw.com Discussion Board)

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"Guerilla Tactics in Passing the Bar"

Submitted by: Atty Liza Alferol:

I came across this booklet while I was reviewing for the Bar in U.P. Diliman. The
author is a graduate of the UP College of Law. If I can still remember right, he
graduated in 1992. He did not mention if he had honors when he graduated but
he did mention that he was a member of the UP College of Law Debating Team.
He did not immediately take the bar. Instead he worked as a car sales man for five
years before taking the bar in 1997.

When he applied for a leave he was given only a month before he was going to
take the Bar. He had less than a month to prepare and realizing this he
formulated strategies to aid him in his review. This is the birth of his "Guerilla
Tactics in Passing the Bar" (I might not be accurate about the title but we lovingly
just call it Guerilla Tactics). This guy did not only pass the bar, he ranked 11th.
Proving that with hard work and determination, there is always hope.

Oyson says that one should have a systematic and organized gameplan in
reviewing for the bar. He also said that prayers are very important. I agree, I
prayed a lot not only during the pre-bar review but during my law shool days. He
enumerates the following tips in the first chapter of his book:

1. THE EXAMINEE MUST HAVE A "SINGLE-MINDED DETERMINATION TO TAKE THE

BAR EXAMS NO MATTER WHAT"

2. POUR ALL THE EFFORTS YOU COULD COMMAND INTO THE BUSINESS OF
PREPARING FOR THE BAR EXAMS. YOU MUST BE PREPARED TO SACRIFICE.

3. IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO PSYCHOLOGICAL PREPAREDNESS.

4. RESOLVE NEVER TO QUIT, NOW OR LATER.

During the 2001 Bar, I almost quit after the exam on Labor Law. I decided not to
when I realized that I can still pull up my grades if I do good in other Bar subjects. I
was so glad that I did not quit. I wouldn't have passed the bar if I did so.

5. DO NOT AIM FOR PERFECTION OR MASTERY OF THE LAW

I'd like to remind you friends that our author only had a month to review. It would
have been impractical for him to master the law. It was practically impossible to
do that. I did not aim for perfection myself. I was very protective of my self
confidence during the review that I had very attainable goals. I did not want to
disappoint myself and end up entering the bar exam room in pieces.

6. LIMIT YOURSELF TO BAR EXAM REVIEWERS OR THE CODAL PROVISIONS

THEMSELVES
Now, this is something that provincial law students are good at. The trend now is
to study codal provisions during the pre-bar review because I tell you, there will
not be enough time to read 5 volumes of Paras, 2 volumes of Reyes, several books
in Taxation etc.. etc.. so limit yourselves to the codal and if you have time, the
reviewers. Our author recommended Albano's reviewer in Civil Law and also
Balbastro's in Commercial Law.

7. CHOOSE THE BEST BAR EXAM REVIEWER IN THE MARKET

8. MANAGE YOUR TIME PROPERLY.

1. Political Law - Outline Reviewer in Political Law by Cong. Nachura

- this one's really good. My highest grade in the Bar was in Political Law and
Taxation so I know this book works. I read the chapter on constitutional law twice.

2. Labor Law - Everyone's Labor Code by Azucena

- this one's great also. It worked well for me because Azucena was our pre-bar
reviewer. It's easy to read and very brief. All the essentials are there.

3. Civil Law - Codal Provisions

- I think there is no other way to tackle Civil Law except by reading the provisions.
I used the Codal Provisions in 4th year law review classes so I have some
reminders and notes written on the margins already so it was easy for me to
review. You should buy the one printed by Central Bookstore, but if you have one
now, it's okay. Don't buy a new one.

4. Taxation - Tax Reviewer by Francis Sababan and Comprehensive Tax Reviewer

by De Leon plus a Codal Provision, I used the one by Dascil.
- Sababan's reviewer is available at Rex Bookstore.

5. Commercial Law - Commercial Law Reviewer by Miravite and Codal Provisions

by Agbayani (its this blue book which is a compilation of all commercial laws,
banking, corporation etc...)

6. Criminal Law - Compendium by Regalado and Pointers in Criminal Law by

Sandoval, codal provisions
- If you're doing great with your JBL Reyes book then stick with it. The
Compendium is pretty expensive. I just bought it because my JBL Reyes book is
circa 1993 so it doesnn't have all the new ammendments to the laws.

7. Remedial Law - Get hold of the Codal Provisions... Revised Rules of Court... I
used both volumes of Regalado's Book because that was what I used when I was a
student.

8. Legal Ethics - now this is free for all... but I suggest you just memorize the
Attorney's Oath, Read and put to heart the Canons of Professional Ethics and
Judicial Ethics too. For the Forms, I have to admit I did not study for this, but I paid
attention to the hand outs given to us during the review.
So, that, in a capsule is the list. I hope it could help you in formulating your
gameplan for your review. The most important thing is that you know yourself,
you know your weaknesses, your strengths and formulate your plan according to
what you know.

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BAR REVIEW POINTERS BY FLORIN HILBAY (topnotcher 1999)

Submitted by: pasdbarnwwhat

1. Less is more.
Early in the review, decide which materials to read and stick to them. It is better
to master a few materials than to cover too many and not read them well.

2. Start reading from your weakest subject to the strongest subject.

3. Read the bar questions and answers first before starting every subject. Take
note of topics frequently asked.
According to Florin, during the bar he had no difficulty answering because all the
questions were familiar to him. BQA gives you an overview of how bar questions
are phrased.

4. Read the Philippine Law Reports (contains digests of recent cases) 1 1/2 years
back.

5. Have at least ONE good reading

Florin had three readings in all because he started April 1. Still, he suggests that of
all the readings one must be done thoroughly.
He doesn't highlight his reading materials. He just underlines and makes marginal
notes. He transfers these notes to codes and he uses these codes for the third
reading/ pre-week.

6. Take a rest every hour of studying. Pause and take deep breaths. If you feel like
continuing for more than an hour, do so but make sure to take a rest when you
feel your brain can't take in information anymore.
Florin studied 5 days and had 2 days rest every week. He watches moves every
Wednesday. Contrary to claims, he doesn't believe exercise works. He gained
weight during the review.

7. Take a rest after eating a full meal as most of the blood concentrates on the
stomach at that time. He eats a light breakfast during the review.

8. During the exam, read all the questions forts before you start answering. Florin
says that since you've already read all the questions, your brain is already starting
to process the answers.
9. Bring a clock inside the exam room. Count the number of items and divide your
time accordingly. This will ensure you will be answering at a correct pace.

10. When answering the exam, take a brief break after every 30 minutes. Do
breathing exercises and rest your eyes.

MATERIALS USED BY FLORIN HILBAY FOR BAR REVIEW

Remember, less is more

Political Law
Bar Questions and Answers
Nachura
Constitution

Labor Law
Bar Questions and Answers
Labor Code
Everyone's Labor Code by Azucena (Not the 2-volume version)
Alcantara

Civil Law
Bar Questions and Answers
Jurado
Code

Commercial Law
Miravite
Villanueva
>>>>comment: supposedly, read daw miravite to spot his many errors, i say
"daw" kse for the life of me, nung nagreview ako, 2 lang ata nakita kong parang
mali, persuaded naman ako sa mga sagot niya
Bar Questions and Answers

Criminal Law
Bar Questions and Answers
RPC
Ortega Notes
Dennis Gorecho Notes
(Norge's Batchmate)

Taxation
Bar Questions and Answers
Book 1 Domondon (Ignore Book 2)
NIRC

Remedial Law
Bar Questions and Answers
Regalado for Civ Pro and Evidence
Rules of Court for Spec Pro and
Crim Pro

Legal Ethics and Legal Forms

Bar Questions and Answers
Vyva Aguirre' Book
(2001 Edition out on May)
Book by Bautista (?)
Page created: February 16th 2005 11:47 PM