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study of the provisions of the various codes and the interpretation and application
thereof by the Supreme Court in its decisions. By study is meant, that the provisions
must be correctly understood and the thought or words thereof put to memory. After
a chapter, for example, has been studied, the next one should be studied next, and
after this, a review of all that has already been studied re-reviewed, to keep the
subject matter and the provisions fresh in mind." - Alejo Labrador
1. Actual preparation for the bar examination starts from the first day a
law student attended class during the first year in the law school.
2. The blooming secret in passing the bar examination is this: Present
good answers that will make the examiners take notice. Good answers
anchored upon logical reasoning, written in readable English and more
importantly, justified by appropriate legal authority.
3. If the candidates are at a loss as to what specific legal provisions or
case doctrines to use in answering problems, the only alternative left for
them is to use their own common sense.
4. The key to passing the bar examinations is contained in one word:
ARTICULATION. Articulation is expressive of the following basic
fundamentals: good language, impressive presentation, logical reasoning
and substantial background knowledge of law and procedure.
5. The examinee who has a fairly good command of English, assuming that
he is prepared in all other matters, stands definitely with a much better
chance of passing.
6. The responsive character of a given answer would depend to a great
extent, on command of good language, logical reasoning and impressive
presentation. This objective of preparing impressive and responsive
answers can only be achieved by constant practice.
7. Get this straight right now. Passing the bar examination has been, still
is, and will always be a difficult proposition!
8. No one can really help you pass the bar examination but yourself.
9. The greatest blooming secret of passing the bar examination is and will
always be: PREPARATION! Not just any kind of preparation, but proper,
sound and systematic preparation.
10. Systematic review can only be done by the use of what we call
37. The bar candidate should do well to be always on guard against catchy
questions capable of being answered in a number of ways, e.g. What is a
complaint? The perfect answer should include both definitions in criminal
and civil procedure.
38. Never be content to answer questions with a mere yes or no. You
must, at all times, give justification why your answer is a yes or no.
Unless, of course, the examiner qualifies his question with instruction
enclosed in parenthesis like: (Answer with a yes or no only).
39. Always determine the real facts (examiners have the bad habit of
including irrelevant facts to confuse you) and the issue or issues in
controversy. Which side you take, always justify your side with reasons
based on law, rule, equity and justice. Whatever your answer may be,
provided it is written in legible language, the examiner will never deny
you the corresponding credit you deserve.
40. Always remember, make efforts to frame your answers so that they are
responsive to the questions. Never beat around the bush. Go right straight
ahead with your answer. Avoid citations if and when you are not
absolutely sure about them. The shorter the answers are, the more direct,
the better. Avoid display of flowery expressions which are complicated by
legal verbosity. All you need are sensible, direct and reasonable answers
that are responsive to the questions.
41. Legal knowledge is not enough to solve a particular legal issue. What
is important is ability to apply this knowledge to the solution of legal
controversies.
42. The most convenient method of tackling problem questions is to
present immediately the conclusion of a given answer. Practice, practice,
constant practice will help the bar candidate write good answers that
examiners will give favorable credit.
43. The technique of writing down answers responsive to questions is a
matter that the candidate must learn as a matter of imperative necessity.
44. Brevity and directness when done properly could make an answer both
effective and impressive. However, when overdone to a point where the
ideas sought to be conveyed becomes vague and difficult to understand,
they become a liability.
45. Never forget that every candidate is a potential bar topnotcher.
46. So, if you are a candidate just preparing for the bar examination,
whose chances of passing are quite problematical, just limit your ambition
for the present to just working hard to obtain a 75 percent in the great
battle of your life.
47. Take comfort in this: That even those who become lawyers by "just
luck", are making good in the practice of law. Nothing can really put a
determined man down.
48. In your preparation for the greatest battle of your life, call upon Him
who is the source of all knowledge, wisdom and understanding. In deep
humility, bended knees and tears, He will make all things beautiful in His
time. Victory belongs to the most persevering!
Note:
All excerpts, except the last (No. 48), were taken by Atty. GLENN M.
MORTEL from the book "SECRETS ON HOW TO PASS THE BAR
EXAMINATION" by Dean Wenceslao G. Laureta, 1990 edition.