Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Compiled by:
SHEENA TENGCO
(4th year Batch Representative)
2015 BAR REVIEW TIPS
MATERIALS
Cast as wide a net as possible for your 1st reading. Try to read or at least browse through as many books as you can for
STUDY TIPS
your first reading. This allows you to whittle down your reading list for your 2nd and succeeding readings to those materials
that you think are useful and those you are comfortable with. Further, by reading a range of materials, youll get at the very
least a vague familiarity of many different things vague as this may be, you can never tell when such stock knowledge at
the back of your mind might be needed.
Stick to the Beaten Path. Index your chosen study materials with those recommended by people who have taken and
passed the Bar Exams before you. The materials chosen by the majority should be sufficient. Now is not the time to be
eccentric!
Stick to Review Books or Reviewers. Resist the temptation to re-read your law school textbooks for Bar Review when there
are review books or reviewers that will suffice. You do not have time to read all your law textbooks again if you plan to do
more than one reading. If you feel that the available review materials for a particular topic dont quite meet your standards,
then make exceptions. Make these exceptions few and far between, however.
Organize your materials properly. Boxes, folders, bags, it doesnt matter organize your materials in such a way that you
can keep track of what you have and find them easily. I personally wasted a lot of money photocopying or buying materials
I forgot I already had because my things were in a sad state of disarray.
Bring your reading materials to Bar Review Lectures. Your Bar Review professors might have updates to the law or juris-
prudence that have not been incorporated into your books and review materials. Bring them along to lectures so you can
make marginal notes on them to reflect these updates.
SCHEDULING
Number of Readings. Be realistic with the number of readings you set out to do. Its better to have fewer quality readings
than a lot done in a hurried, haphazard fashion. Your number of readings will of course depend on your own style and
speed of reading. I aimed to complete three readings of my materials with a time limit of 2 months per reading. You dont
have as much time, this time, so you may want to change this a bit.
Subject Chronology. Dont feel the need to be organized during your first reading. Use it to feel the lay of the land and
survey the materials out there, then use what youve learned from your 1st reading to plan an excellent 2nd reading and
beyond. For 1st reading, I took the subjects in the order I wanted. I took the subjects which I felt I was weakest at first, then
worked my way from there. For my 2nd & 3rd readings, I took the subjects in the reverse of the order their exams were
scheduled [i.e. Criminal to Political Law] that way, Ill end my last reading reviewing for the immediately coming exam.
Daily Hours. Aim to log at least 8 hours of study every day. Ramp this up to 9, 10, even 12 hours as the exams approach.
While I personally didnt have the organization to use a stopwatch, it might be helpful for you.
Take Breaks. Breaks are necessary and highly encouraged. So long as youre able to meet your quota of study hours, be
generous with study breaks and breaks for meals. My library study buddies will attest to my frequent internet breaks, runs
to the mall for milk tea, or just taking time to walk around.
Vacations. Allow yourself vacations. If well-timed, they break the monotony and can recharge your spirits. I gave myself 2
during bar review season, though take note we had 7 months to review.
Study Goal Fails. Dont be too hard on yourself when you fail to meet the study goals youve set for the day, week, or month.
I fell short on a lot of days.
Exercise & Eat Healthy. Apart from not overindulging on comfort food, try to put in some exercise to keep yourself fit. You
cannot afford to get sick, so exercise, eat well, and take vitamins if necessary. If youre a stress eater, this will offset the Bar
Review weight gain. Remember though, that your first priority at this point is to pass the Bar Exams while you should put
in some exercise, dont spend all your time at the gym getting yourself bikini-ready.
Talk it Out. It helped me to take breaks to talk to the people I was studying with. Apart from gossip (an excellent way to
relax), we discussed things in our study materials we were confused with this was an excellent learning exercise.
Nap. When you need to, nap. Theres no point studying when youre sleepy. I usually couldnt help myself I was always
dozing off at the library (usually around 15-30 minutes).
STUDY TIPS
Dont Force It. If by the end of the day youre very tired and sleepy, dont force yourself to study when you cant process or
retain what youre reading anyway. Sleep and continue the next day.
Pray. When youve studied harder than youve ever done before, theres nothing else to do but trust in some higher power.
TYPICAL STUDY DAY [This is ideal because I tended to be liberal with my days]:
Wake up at around 6:30 to go to the gym. [Going to the gym was discontinued a month before the exams.]
Grab coffee and be at the library around 9-9:30.
Study until around 11:30 [most likely doze off somewhere in between].
Head to the mall for lunch [as the exams approached, the mall was replaced with the cafeteria].
Study until around 5:30 [almost definitely doze off several times in between].
Head to the cafeteria for dinner.
Study until the library closes.
Goof off at home. [As exams approached, Id continue studying at the AGSB study area at the 2nd floor or at home]
Sleep at around 11pm.
MY READING LIST
NOTES &
SUBJECTS BOOKS THE ESSENTIALS
REVIEWERS
Bernas Primer
Bernas Primer Jimenez Recent
Political Law Nachura All
Nachura Reviewer Jurisprudence
non-Consti portions.
Azucena
Everybodys Labor Code Manuel 100 Notes Azucena
[aka Green Book] Ateneo Bar Ops Everybodys Labor Code
Labor Law Alcantara Labor Law Reviewer Ateneo Bar Ops
Reviewer [Just Social Disini Social Reviewer
Legislation] Legislation Tables
Codal
Mamalateo Tax
Reviewer [1st Reading
Only]
Co-untian TaxDigest
Personal Notes from Co-untian Tax
Codal
Tax 1 & Tax 2 Digest
Taxation Casasola Annotated
Primus (Domondon) Primus (Domondon)
NIRC
Star Notes Star Notes
LGC [Local Taxation
and Real Property
Taxation]
Tariff & Customs Code
NOTES &
SUBJECTS BOOKS THE ESSENTIALS
REVIEWERS
STUDY TIPS
Codal
Balanes Notes
Sempio-Diy Family
Property & ObliCon
Code
Del Castillo Class
Balane Succession
Notes for Property
[1st Reading Only, then
San Beda Red Notes
switch to Champ Reynos
Sales, Partnership &
Notes]
Agency, Lease, Torts & Codal
Civil Law Jurado Civil Law
Damages
Reviewer [1st Reading
Reyno Notes on
Only, excluding Family
Atty. Balanes Book
Code & Succession]
Zuiga Notes on
Aquino Land Titles
Credit Transactions
[1st Reading Only,
Delos Angeles
only those parts in the
Notes on Land Titles
Syllabus]
Catindig Notes on
Selected Commercial
Laws [And the 2007
Supplement/Update]
Sundiang Sundiang
Commercial Law Commercial Law
Reviewer Reviewer
Jimenez Recent
Mercantile Law Villanueva Catindig Notes on
Jurisprudence
Commercial Law Selected Commercial
Reviewer [1st Reading Laws [And the 2007
Only, only Corporation Supplement/Update]
Law & Insurance]
Abad Negotiable
Instruments Made Easy
[1st Reading Only]
Codal
Riano Civil
Remedial Law Procedure, Criminal San Beda Red Notes San Beda Red Notes
Procedure, Evidence [1st
& 2nd Readings only]
NOTES &
SUBJECTS BOOKS THE ESSENTIALS
REVIEWERS
STUDY TIPS
Codal
Aguirre Legal Ethics
Reviewer
Pao Legal Ethics
Legal Ethics San Beda Red Notes San Beda Red Notes
Reviewer
Philippine Judicial
Academy Annotated
Code of Judicial Conduct
Gregorio Criminal
Law Review [1st Reading
Only]
De Castro Special
Penal Laws [1st Reading
Criminal Law Only] San Beda Red Notes San Beda Red Notes
Sandoval Special
Penal Laws [1st Reading
Only]
Boado Criminal Law
Notes & Cases
Materials, which: 1) on hindsight, I wish I stuck to from the very start; 2) I believe will suffice when push comes to shove;
or 3) I stuck to even for Pre-week.
JOSEPH DE JESUS
Ateneo Law School Batch 2013
Second Honors
PART I:
Your mindset, your strategies, and your study program will depend on a careful assessment of your personality and
study habits, and an honest appraisal of your four years of education in law school.
Be very honest with yourself as to what you can or cannot do. The bar review month is not a time to indulge in reading
every single material that comes your way. It is also not the time to do leisure reading.
HOWEVER YOU PREPARE FOR THE BAR, APPROACH THESE SIX MONTHS WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY. TIME
IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE.
FAIL TO APPROACH THE BAR WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY, AND YOU RISK LOSING A YEAR OF YOUR LIFE.
TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.
WHAT GETS YOU THROUGH THE FOUR WEEKS OF THE BAR EXAMS IS NOT YOUR SIX MONTHS OF REVIEW,
BUT THE FOUR YEARS YOU SPENT IN LAW SCHOOL.
I fought my way through the whole bar month by invoking the concepts and principles I had memorized, understood, and
mastered in law school. Much of what I read throughout the six months, I could not recall.
The six months you have is simply your opportunity to REVIEW everything you encountered in law school. It is not the
time to learn everything all over again. Six months may seem like a lot of time right now, but in the blink of an eye, itll be
the night before the bar exams. Time flies that fast.
The good news is that you are not starting from scratch. You already know 80% of the Bar Coverage, and you just have
to recall it all again in time for the exams.
20% OF YOUR TIME SHOULD BE SPENT FOR REVIEWING THE 80% YOU ALREADY KNOW.
80% SHOULD BE SPENT ON STUDYING THE 20% YOU WINGED OR DID NOT COVER DURING THE FOUR YEARS.
If you winged your way throughout Law School, adjust the proportion to a 60-40 distribution.
THE BAR EXAM IS MORE OF AN EMOTIONAL RATHER THAN AN INTELLECTUAL HURDLE. THUS, LEARN HOW
TO MANAGE YOUR EMOTIONS.
Remember that it is impossible to know everything and master everything in six months. Learn how to handle disappoint-
ment when you are forced to revise your schedule, when you try to answer a sample exam questionnaire and you come
out with the wrong answer, and when others discuss matters you have no freakin idea about.
You can do five, four, three, two, or even one - there is no set formula. The rule of thumb is:
STUDY TIPS
READ AS MUCH AND AS REPETITIVELY AS YOU CAN UNTIL IT STICKS IN YOUR HEAD.
When I assessed myself, I realized that I was strong in the morning subjects - Poli, Rem, Comm and Civ. I was weak in
the afternoon subjects - Labor, Tax, Crim, and Ethics. So, I ! only did one reading each for the morning subjects, and at
least two readings for the afternoon subjects. In fact, I did three readings for Criminal Law. I also read original cases for
Tax.
Please note that one person can do five readings (as CLV recommends) and yet still fail !the bar exams. Another person
even did not complete one reading, but still passed.
A person can brag about reading 300 ++ pages in one day, but could not recall a single thing. Another person can read
only up to 50 pages a day, but he knows and remembers every letter of what he read.
It all depends on your ability to process and store the information you read.
a. Set a personal quota for the day, whether 50, 100, or 200 pages. To me, 100 pages, at 8 hours is optimal. The next
day, go through those pages before you begin to move forward. That way, you reinforce your learning daily. By the time
you get to the end of a book, you would have read it three times.
b. While keeping up with the pace of your batch mates is fine, its not foolproof. If a friend or batch mate needs three
readings to master the material and you need only one, then he is no less than you, and vice versa. Just check with one
another, but dont be pressured to get ahead or along with their pace.
c. THERE IS NO LIMIT TO READING THE CODALS. IT IS YOUR FAILSAFE MATERIAL AND IF YOU MASTER IT, I
GUARANTEE YOU, YOU WILL PASS THE BAR.
d. MASTER THE LAW, AND NOT THE MATERIAL. In short, do not master the Bernas Reviewer, master the constitutional
principles enunciated therein.
e. PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE INTRODUCTORY PRINCIPLES OF EVERY SUBJECT. THEY WILL SAVE
YOU WHEN YOU DO NOT RECALL THE PARTICULAR LAW OR RULE IN ANSWERING A QUESTION. For example,
in my criminal law bar exam, I answered a question by discussing the differences between the classical and the positiv-
ist school of criminal law. A lot of difficult tax exams can be answered by an understanding of the lifeblood theory, the
benefits-protection principle, etc. I answered a labor law question by invoking the principle in remedial law that technical
rules of procedure are not applicable in labor cases. I PASSED.
f. MAKE A LIST OF POWERLINES PER SUBJECT, AND MASTER THEM WITH PRECISION. By Powerlines, i mean
certain fundamental doctrines in jurisprudence which you should be able to state with full clarity and precision in your
answers to the bar questions. Your ability to invoke them clearly is impressive, and most likely, the examiner will give you
full points as opposed to always stating the doctrine in your own words. They give the examiner the impression that you
know your law.
POWERLINE PUNCHLINE
Both statements express the same point, but who do you think creates a better impression? List those doctrines down
and be ready to invoke them with full conviction.
g. THE BAR EXAM IS ALL ABOUT GENERAL RULES AND EXCEPTIONS, NOT ABOUT EXCEPTIONS TO EXCEP-
TIONS. THERE IS NO NEED TO USE VERY COMPLICATED MATERIAL.
Be guided by my answer to the preceding question. That being said, this is the ideal formula:
ONE or TWO REVIEW BOOKS PER BAR SUBJECT + ONE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWER + CODE
Pre-Week:
CODE + RED BOOK / COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWER + AUDIO LECTURES (WHEN YOU CANT BRING YOURSELF
TO READ) + RECENT JURISPRUDENCE
AVOID PHOTOCOPYING THE WORLD. GET NEW MATERIALS ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE MASTERED THE ONES
YOU INITIALLY ACQUIRED.
I violated the above rule, and I ended up spending more than Php 20k for a lot of materials which I eventually gave out to
people. I also wasted so much time hustling to and from Blessings to get materials I never even highlighted. The hour or
so you spend waiting at Blessings could be spent mastering the material you already have.
For your guidance, however, here are the materials I used (note the subjects I marked as Unli-CODAL):
STUDY TIPS
PRE-WEEK
SUBJECTS BOOKS REVIEWERS
REVIEWER
Mamalateo Reviewer
Mickey Ingles
on Taxation (be wary
Reviewer (since this
of outdated rates and
is updated, use this to Domondon Star Notes
correct them, but still,
Taxation Law correct Mamalateo rates) or
the sample questions are
Ortega Lecture BRB or GT
golden)
Recordings on Remedies
Tax I and II Originals
and VAT (from Baste)
(in my case)
Sundiang Reviewer on
Commercial Law
Jack Jimenez
Perez Quizzer and Jack Jimenez
Transcripts and Jack
Reviewers (this is highly Jurisprudence
Commercial Law Jimenez Pre-Week
recommended - put (2010-2012)
LectureRecordings (Tips
them together and its BRB or GT
to!)
like a Jurado of sorts for
commercial law)
PRE-WEEK
SUBJECTS BOOKS REVIEWERS
REVIEWER
STUDY TIPS
Antiquierra Comments
Ethics Beda Reviewer Codal
and Cases on Ethics
For your first reading, study on your own first, and STUDY SLOWLY. When youre done with your first reading, feel free to
study with others, especially by September. HINDI PWEDENG KULONG KA ALL THE WAY, UNLESS IKAW SI JAKE
TABORA AT ALAM MO NA ANG LAHAT.
KUNG AYAW MONG MANIWALA SA KIN, BAHALA KANG MAG-SAYANG NG PERA KABIBILI NG LIBRO NG
RUMORED EXAMINER.
Here are the PROS and CONS of the Major Review Centers:
BASTE:
Pros: For 14k, you get a copy of all lecture notes, Mock bar exams is only for P150.00, with discussion after. Good line-up
of Profs, and Barrister service is great.
ATENEO:
UP:
Pros: Cheap enrollment fee, cheap food options, great and refreshing place for those who love greenery.
CHAN ROBLES:
Pros: Access to all review lectures and materials via the Chan Robles Bar Review site, so you can study in the comfort of
your home.
Cons: The Philippines has the worst and most unreliable broadband speed in the world.
NO. Attend only those lectures for those subjects you are weak at. In fact, dont attend at all if you feel it will be a waste of
your time. BUT ATTEND THE PRE-WEEK LECTURES.
Rule of Thumb:
STUDY AT SCHOOL WITH OTHERS AS THE BAR MONTH APPROACHES. YOU NEED TO ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION
WITH OTHER BAR REVIEWEES.
10. Everything you said earlier can be summed up by saying Its up to you. But really, isthere any set of principles/goals I
should keep in mind?
4. Studied on my own for the first four months, and went out into the world only during the last two.
5. Avoided studying on the night before the exam.
6. Match my prayers with the corresponding hard work (Nasa Diyos ang Awa, nasa Tao ang Gawa).
STUDY TIPS
Pano (outdated)
Aguirre (outdated)
Legal Ethics
Ateneo Law Bar Operations by
Judge Ma. Filomena Singh
Codal is included for all subjects Started studying May until October Good luck and Hope this is useful
CAMILLE ESPELETA
Ateneo Law School Batch 2014
Second Honors, Salutatorian
1st 2nd
Reading Reading
Pre-Week
STUDY TIPS
1st 2nd
Reading Reading
Pre-Week
STUDY TIPS
General Tips:
Set goals:
STUDY TIPS
Relax. My goodness, relax and dont pressure yourself. You already know the gravity of the exams, adding useless
pressure on yourself will just make you crack. Relax.
Dont stress yourself out with super complicated situations and what if scenarios. The examiners will rarely ask
something that hasnt been set in stone anyway. And it just adds useless worry.
Stay with positive people. The bar is stress enough, no use having negative people adding bad vibes to you.
Dont get into this mindset that I have to stop my life for the bar and that I shouldnt have other world problems while
Im reviewing. The reality is, you WILL have other problems. Having that mindset will just aggravate the problem. Instead,
have people who will help and support you through the non-bar related problems. The world doesnt stop for the bar,
and the sooner you accept that, the easier itll be to deal with non-bar related problems. With that said, you should still
prioritize the bar.
Study Day:
Schedule: Get up at 730 am. Work out. Then start studying by 9 am. Mass and lunch at 12 noon. Start again by 1 pm.
End around 6-7 pm. Closer to the bar, Id study after dinner again, until around 10-11 pm.
Location: Rizal Library, Katipunan, and Reno, Nevada (for three weeks)
Review Schedule:
1st reading: feel free to follow any order for your first reading; I started with Poli and Labor first since I didnt take Labor
Law review (I coupled it with Poli for no reason). I studied Tax and Ethics the last, since I was pretty confident with Tax.
2nd reading: I started following the order of the exams, but in a mirror fashion. So, I studied Rem first, and ended
up with Poli. I made it a point to finish my 2nd reading before September ended (although I dont remember if I was
successful. Hehe)
3rd reading: I told myself that Id start with my third reading in September. I did the mirror technique again, but gave
myself only one week to study the two subjects coupled together. What I didnt finish in one week, I finished during pre-
week. I just marked where I left off on my notes.
So, in the first week of September, I studied Rem and Ethics. Second week, I studied Comm and Crim. Third
week, I studied Civ and Tax. Fourth week, I studied Poli and Labor.
I found this one week to study everything technique useful for two reasons: first, it built my confidence since
getting three readings in was my goal to begin with; and second, by the time I started with Poli and Labor, the Bar
exams for those subjects were two weeks away. So its like I had two weeks for my pre-week in Poli and Labor.
STUDY TIPS
Materials Used:
When it came to study materials, the most important thing for me was that I only had one material to study. Thats why I
made all those reviewers to consolidate everything that I had to know in one material. Having just one reviewer made it
easier for me to memorize and faster for me to study. Its really hard having different books in front of you when studying.
Its a clutter and I found it cluttered my brain as well. (Thats why I had such a hard time studying Civ, since everything
was scattered between different authors.)
So my goal for my first reading was to read different materials, determine which one I was most comfortable with, and
consolidate my notes in what I called my final reviewer (if you check the chart I made below, the materials with the most
readings were my final reviewers. All my notes were consolidated there). For example, in my first reading in Poli, I read
Bernas and Nachura, and then consolidated the my notes in Bernas (meaning, I put stuff that were in Nachura, but not in
Bernas, in my Bernas book). So when it came to my 2nd, 3rd, and pre-week reads, I just had to open one book (except
Civ, which I swear had a thing against me.)
I also made it a point to just study Ateneo reviewers. (Although Id consult with some Beda reviewers if some points
were missing in the Ateneo reviewers.)
Persons:
Regina Reviewer for Dean
Dels Class by Gurrea and
Maniego (3)
Codal (3)
Sempio-Dy (1)
Property
Regina Reviewer for Dean
Dels Class by Gurrea and
Maniego (3)
Codal (3) Atty. Sta Marias Pre-week on
Mickey Reviewer (2) Persons
Jurado (2) Justice Hofilenas Pre-week on
Succession Property (but stepped out once in
Civil Law Champ Reviewer (3) a while, and I think I skipped some
Oblicon stuff. Did it mostly for updates on
Codal (3) jurisprudence)
Jurado (1 or 2, dont Dean Angeles Pre-week on Land
remember) Titles
Sec Trans
Zuniga notes (3)
Mickey notes (1)
Codal
Agency, Partnership, Sales
CLVs outline (2)
Ateneo reviewer (2)
Codal
Land Titles
Dean Angeles notes (3)
Mickey Notes (3)
Co Untian (2) Atty. Monteros lecture on updates
Mamalateo (1, but only for certain on jurisprudence
Taxation Law topics) Atty. Geronimos pre-week lecture
Ateneo reviewer (2, for basic (but only attended the first few days;
principles of taxation which arent in mostly for basic principles of taxation)
the Mickey notes)
Sundiang (3)
Abad Nego Made Easy (3)
CLV (1 for Corporation and
Insurance Law case doctrines)
Jack notes on Banking and other Atty. Jacks Pre-week lectures
Commercial Law related laws, etc (3) (again, super helpful; Atty. Jack is a
Jack notes on updates on reviewer god)
jurisprudence (3, available in the
admin)
Glenn Tuazon notes on Jacks
lectures (2 for Nego)
Mickey Notes (3)
Criminal Law
Boado on Special Laws (1)
Study Period:
Started studying May all the way up to the October exams.
Number of Readings:
3 readings + preweek
Hardest Subject
Hardest subject to study: Civ (because the materials were kalat)
Hardest subject to answer: Tax/Labor
Easiest Subject
Easiest subject to study: Poli and Tax
Easiest subject to answer: Poli
Things to Avoid
1) Panicking. You panic, youre halfway to losing.
2) Forgetting your exam permit. Photocopy it in color to be sure.
3) Drugs. Drugs are bad.
General Tips:
In preparing for the bar exam it is important to PLAN, STUDY, FOCUS, and ENJOY.
STUDY TIPS
It is crucial to have a plan or strategy when one is to take a monumental task, such as taking the bar exam. It is a must to
have a study schedule as it will guide you during the entire period of your bar preparation. You may not be able to follow
your schedule strictly, but at least try to go back on track and catch up for the lost time.
Be physically fit. Exercise. Take vitamins. Eat nourishing food. Pray. Sleep.
Enjoy. The bar experience is a wonderful experience. Enjoy every single day of it.
Focus. My father died during the first month of my review. I took good care of my pregnant wife during the entire review
period. Those factors could have easily distracted me. I was still able to focus. You can also.
Study Schedule:
If you are a fast-reader, I suggest that you try to have four (4) or five (5) readings. If you are the more deliberate type,
two (2) or three (3) readings should be enough. Do what worked for you during your years in law school. Do not change
gear just for the bar exam. Your study schedule should fit you. Hence, your assessment of yourself is important.
I had four (4) readings excluding pre-week (hence, I had 5 readings in total). I read the text books that I used when I was
still in law school.
My first reading was quick and crazy. It was intended to put me in an overdrive early. For my first reading, I gave myself
only twenty-four (24) days to finish everything. My plan was to test myself whether I am ready to take a bar exam on the
25th day. Hence, on 19 April 2010 (April 18 was our graduation day) I took my bar exam. I used the questions in the
past bar exams for this exercise.
When I objectively reviewed my answers, I felt that I should be able to pass the bar exam but the quality of my answers
will not be enough to give me a slot in the top 10.
Assessment: I may have a good chance of passing the bar, but if I want to top it, then I must study harder.
My second reading was slow and deliberate. I read every page (from preface to the last page). I encircled the page
STUDY TIPS
numbers (sometimes the entire chapter) of my book that I felt I need not read again. This strategy helped me weed-out
unimportant pages/chapters of the text book or those portions which I already mastered during my four years in law
school and during my first reading. My subsequent readings became manageable because of this approach.
Only because I did not waste the first three months of my review, by the end of July, I was already confident that I will
pass the bar.
I encourage you to do the same. Take your first months of review very seriously.
An officemate (who ranked 3rd in 2009 bar exams) once said that one should prepare to top, not just to pass. In my fourth
reading, I memorized case titles and important provisions of law.
SUBJECTS BOOKS/REVIEWERS
There is no shortcut to passing (or topping) the bar. If you want to pass on your first take, then you will have to work for it.
But if you want to top it, then you must be willing to sacrifice more. You will not top the bar just because you are brilliant.
There are equally brilliant law graduates who will be taking the bar with you. The only way you can out shine them is by
being better prepared. Do not waste time. Study now.
Schedule of Readings
STUDY TIPS
DATE MATERIALS
DATE
DATE MATERIALS
STUDY TIPS
(includes making of reviewers, hence, the longer period plus you should take your time for the 1st reading, cover
everything)
2nd Reading - 3rd week of July to Last week of August (a more focused and limited review, less materials, concentrate on
the key concepts and relevant and new jurisprudence)
3rd Reading- September (similar to the 2nd reading but on a much faster pace, same materials essentially as the 2nd
reading)
correction: 3rd Reading - 1st to 3rd Week of September (finish or not finish)
I do not recommend studying extensively on a Monday during pre-week. Allow yourself some time to recuperate
As to the hours per day of study, 8 hours a day is recommended. Allow some time for recreation. It is okay to drink
alcohol. And if youre tired, do not force yourself to study. If you do not meet the 8 hours, make up for it for additional
hours the next day
It is recommended that you do not study alone. And if you do, find time to go out with friends. Isolation is detrimental to
your health, which, in turn, will affect your bar.
Study with people who compliment your study habits. try to stay away from those who study too intensely. That will just
stress you out.
LABOR LAW
1ST READING 2ND READING 3RD READING PRE-WEEK
STUDY TIPS
CIVIL LAW
1ST READING 2ND READING 3RD READING PRE-WEEK
Paras I (Persons and Family Relations)*
Paras II (Property)*
Paras III (Succession)*
Paras IV(Oblicon)*
Paras V (Special Contracts)*
Aquino Land Titles (selected parts only)
Paras Civil Law Pre-Week*
Dean De Los Angeles Land Titles Powerpoint*
San Sebastian Recent Jurisprudence
Codal
TAXATION LAW
1ST READING 2ND READING 3RD READING PRE-WEEK
PM Reyes Bar Reviewer*
Codal (Casasola NIRC and other Tax Laws)*
Mamalateo
Domondon Star Notes
Domondon General Principles
Domondon Transfer Taxes and VAT
Domondon Income Tax
COMMERCIAL LAW
1ST READING 2ND READING 3RD READING PRE-WEEK
Weigand Bar Reviewer*
Sundiang Commercial Law Reviewer
Perez Reviewer Corporation Law/Secreg
Perez Reviewer Transportation Law
Perez Reviewer Negotiable Instruments et al
CRIMINAL LAW
1ST READING 2ND READING 3RD READING PRE-WEEK
Reyes Crim I
Reyes Crim II
Sandoval Pointers in Criminal Law*
San Beda Criminal Law Reviewer*
Esguerra Recent Jurisprudence
San Sebastian Recent Jurisprudence
Prosecutor Inovejas Jurisprudence*
REMEDIAL LAW
1ST READING 2ND READING 3RD READING PRE-WEEK
Riano CivPro Volume I
Riano CivPro Volume II (ProvRem and SCA)
Riano CrimPro
Riano Evidence
Festin SpecPro
Mickey Ingles Reviewer CivPro*
Mickey Ingles Reviewer ProvRem, SCA, Crim-
Pro*
Justice De Leon ProvRem and SCA Reviewer*
Justice De Leon SpecPro Reviewer*
Ateneo BarOps Reviewer (Evidence)*
Tranquil Rem Law Review Transcript
Tranquil CrimPro Transcript
San Sebastian Recent Jurisprudence
Codal*
ETHICS
1ST READING 2ND READING 3RD READING PRE-WEEK
Pano
Cosico
Antiquerra*
Code of Judicial Conduct Annotated*
Hofilena Powerpoint/Notes*
Ateneo BarOps Reviewer*
Codal*
KRISTEL TIU
Ateneo Law School Batch 2014
3rd WEEK
SUBJECTS 1st READING 2nd READING
PRE-WEEK
STUDY TIPS
Consti Bernas,
Gorospe;
Labor 1 and 2
Azucena;
Social Legislation
Chan;
Notes, Recent
Labor Law Manuel Lecture on Labor Ateneo BarOps
Jurisprudence, Codal
Standards
*Sometimes Id use
Velosos book as a cross-
reference
Conflicts Sempio-Diy
Property Mickey
Reviewer
Oblicon Balane
Codal and law school
Civil Law Codal
notes
Succession Champ
SCHEDULE
Set a schedule for but be flexible. Dont pressure yourself to follow your schedule rigidly. You dont need the added
stress. At the very least, your schedule is a template, a guide. If you dont reach your quota at the end of the week, adjust.
Allot time from your rest day to finish off some pages or pick it up in the second read.
FIRST READ:
Duration: After graduation until mid-July
Materials: Read the books you used in law school and the notes you made. Generally, its harder to use a new book
but if you read fast and you feel like its important, go for it.
Tips: Dont rush! The objective of the first read is to cover everything. Dont feel pressured if you have friends who
finish ahead of you. People read at their own pace. Dont panic if you dont feel like youve mastered the subject. At this
point, you arent expected to. Ask if you have any questions or clarifications.
SECOND READ:
Duration: Mid-July until 3rd week of September
Materials: Reviewers
Tips: The objective of the second read is recall and memorization. What youve read in your first read should be
coming back to you. Start memorizing.
THIRD READ:
Duration: 3rd week of September and throughout October
Materials: Reviewers, recent jurisprudence, selected hand-outs from the pre-bar and pre-week lectures,
STUDY TIPS
REST PERIOD
I would generally study from 8am-9pm Monday to Saturday and use half of Sunday to read or answer past bar exams.
Rest is really, really important. Get 6-7 hours of sleep everyday and take breaks whenever you need to and for however
long need them. I cant emphasize how important pace is. One of my main goals in bar review was to not burn out. After
4 years in law school you practically know everything there is to know because you have a really good foundation and
youre prepared, but if youre sick and tired by the time the bar comes along none of that will matter.
LECTURE
It depends on what kind of learner you are. If youre an auditory learner, go for it. But if you arent (like me) pick the ones
to go to or drop in to see if theres anything new. Jacs lectures are a must, especially for Poli. Dean Candelarias Poli
lecture was helpful, too. I also liked Montero for Tax and Manuel for Labor (gold!!). Go to Guevarra for Rem if you didnt
have him in Remedial Law Review.
However, dont feel obligated to stay, even for the good ones. Once I noticed that the lector was just reading off slides or
handouts, I left and got a copy since I wanted more time to read.
RUMORS
Youll hear all kinds of rumors during pre-bar and pre-week. Dont take it too seriously. We heard a lot of rumored examin-
ers and were told to focus on their favorite topics but that didnt really factor in because the Chairperson had a hand in
picking a lot of the questions for the bar and they didnt turn out to be the favorites of our rumored examiners. The top-
ics that came out in the past bar exams were more reliable.
Good luck with review!!! Youve gotten this far so you clearly know what youre doing. Pace, never ever doubt yourself,
stay positive, and pray a lot!
GENERAL POINTERS
I studied at least 8 hours a day Monday-Friday. The only time I studied on weekends was when I foresaw that I would
STUDY TIPS
not be able to reach my weekly quota. I also made sure that I had adequate exercise (7 hours a week from May to
August, and 1 hour from September to October. Yes, I exercised during Pre-Week). I always had a hearty breakfast, a
heavy lunch, and a very light dinner. During the actual Bar examinations, I avoided starch and limited myself to brown
carbs. I also ate 1 big Fuji apply during lunch breaks.
My weekly quota depended on: (1) the subject I was reviewing for, (2) the number of review materials I had selected
for a particular subject, and (3) the number of pages each of my materials had. Considering these factors, I read about
100-150 pages every day. On a very good day, I could read up to 250 pages (this happened only, like, twice. Hehe).
Depending on the text, I could read 15-25 pages per hour.
Early on I decided to do only two full readings, excluding Pre-Week. Even if I read 2-3 books on a particular subject, I
still considered it as one reading. I tried to avoid peaking too soon. In law school, I stuck with two readings for class and
for exams, and so I relied on the same technique that worked for me.
For my first reading, I spent two weeks on the major subjects, and one week for minor subjects. I followed this
schedule strictly, except for Civil and Remedial Law, to which I allotted two and a half weeks each. I gave myself
allowances just in case I had off days.
I started reviewing on May 4. Following my study strategy as mentioned above ensured that I finished my first reading
by the end of July.
For my second reading, I dedicated one week each per subject. This time, I followed the mirror method. By the time I
finished my second reading it was already Pre-Week.
During Pre-week, I also followed the mirror method. For the first week, I studied Labor Law on Monday morning until
Tuesday night, followed by Political Law from Wednesday until Saturday noon. For the succeeding weeks, I took half the
day off on Mondays. Consequently, I started reviewing for the minor subject Monday afternoon until Wednesday morning
(give or take, this will spill over to the afternoon). Then from Wednesday afternoon until Friday night, I would be studying
the major subject.
During the entire Bar review, I listened to various study playlists. I had an upbeat playlist (mostly Zedd, David Guetta,
etc) to wake me up. I also had an intense playlist that altered my brainwaves so that it would be in the zone (Joe Hisahi-
shis compositions. If you know Spirited Away, Howls Moving Castle, or Princess Mononoke, youll know the music. Oth-
erwise, if you go to Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen, thats the playlist). Be careful though, because my intense playlist is really
intense. After listening to it for 4 hours, youll probably need to take a break. Seryosong intense siya.
As much as possible, I no longer studied on Saturdays. I tried to relax and meditate at least 30 minutes before I slept.
Lights off at 9pm, and I was asleep at 10pm at the latest. I drank 1 capsule of 5HTP before bed. I woke up 4am every
Sunday. I performed exercises to wake up my body (this is comprised mostly of a series of pokes on selected pressure
points so that my brain and body are awake and in the zone). I drank two cups of green tea with honey, Berocca, 1000mg
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and 1000 mg B-12.
POLITICAL LAW
Fr. Bernas, Primer
STUDY TIPS
LABOR LAW
Abad, Labor Law Compendium
1st Reading
Chan, Labor Law Reviewer
Chan, Labor Law Reviewer
2nd Reading
Ateneo BarOps Reviewer
Chan, Labor Law Reviewer (with cut-outs from Ateneo BarOps Reviewer that
Pre-Week
were missing from Chan)
Chan, Labor Law Pre-Week: I was NOT able to read this anymore since I got it
Saturday Night at around 8pm. Stick with the book since its much more comprehensive anyway
though a little outdated.
CIVIL LAW
Dean Del Castillo, Regina Persons Reviewer (supplemented by Sempio-Dy and
updated by my Victoria notes/charts)
Dean Del Castillo, Regina Property Reviewer (updated by my 2nd year Victoria
Property Reviewer)
Balane, Jottings and Jurisprudence on Civil Law (Succession)
Balane, Dot Nava ObliCon Reviewer
Dean Villanueva, Sales Outline
Dean Villanueva, Agency, Trusts, and Partnership Outline
1st Reading
Zuniga, Credit Transactions Reviewer
Sempio-Dy, Conflict of Laws
Jurado, Lease
Jurado, Torts and Damages
Padilla, Damages (only to clarify some topics that were not thoroughly discussed
in Jurado)
Dean Delos Angeles, Land Titles Notes and Powerpoint Presentation
Codal: For everything
Dean Del Castillo, Regina Persons Reviewer
Dean Del Castillo, Regina Property Review
Balane, Champ Notes (Succession)
Balane, Dot Nava ObliCon Reviewer
2nd Reading
Codal
Note: I just studied the big 4 subcomponents of Civil Law. I was pressed for
time since I had only 1 week to finish my second reading for Civil Law, so I had to
rely on the Codal for everything else
CIVIL LAW
Pre-Week CODAL, CODAL, CODAL!!!
STUDY TIPS
TAXATION LAW
Co-Untian, Tax Digests
1st Reading Mickey Ingles, Tax 1 & 2 Reviewer
Sacdalan-Cassasola, Codal
Pierre Reyes, Tax 1 & 2 Reviewer
2nd Reading
Sacdalan-Cassasola, Codal
Pierre Reyes, Tax 1 & 2 Reviewer
Pre-Week
Sacdalan-Cassasola, Codal
Saturday Night San Sebastian Survey of cases (forgot who prepared it)
MERCANTILE LAW
Dean Villanueva, Commercial Law Reviewer
1st Reading Sundiang-Aquino, Commercial Law Reviewer
Dean Abad, Negotiable Instruments Law Made Easy
Sundiang-Aquino, Commercial Law Reviewer
2nd Reading
Starr Weigand, Commercial Law Reviewer (selected topics only)
Sundiang-Aquino, Commercial Law Reviewer
Pre-Week
Dimaampao, Commercial Law Reviewer
Saturday Night Dimaampao, Commercial Law Last Minute Notes (23-page handout)
CRIMINAL LAW
Gregorio, Criminal Law Reviewer (take note that this was last edited in 2008, and
there has been plenty of jurisprudence and laws that have been passed)
1st Reading
San Beda Memory Aid
Codal
San Beda Memory Aid
2nd Reading
Codal
San Beda Memory Aid
Pre-Week
Codal
San Sebastian updated jurisprudence
Saturday Night
Codal
REMEDIAL LAW
Dean Riano, Civil Procedure 1 & 2, Criminal Procedure, Evidence
1st Reading Festin, Special Procedure
Codal
San Beda Memory Aid (had to edit portions of it because some were misleading
2nd Reading and outdated already)
Codal
Dean Riano, Civil Procedure 1 & 2, Criminal Procedure, Evidence (I just scanned
Pre-Week the headings and read only the portions I highlighted)
Codal
Saturday Night San Beda Memory Aid (SpecPro only)
ETHICS
Agpalo, Legal and Judicial Ethics
STUDY TIPS
Do NOT panic. Relax. You survived law school. Youll live through this.
Make sure you have enough sleep to sustain you for at least 12 hours for the actual Bar examinations.
Also, make sure your penmanship is legible. Write in PRINT instead of script. Practice your penmanship if necessary.
Manage your time well. Make sure that when you answer the exam, you have enough time to review your answers.
During the actual Bar examinations, I read all of the questions first before I wrote my answer on the exam booklet. I wrote
short answers on the questionnaire as I scanned the exam (For example, I wrote No, violates separation of powers
doctrine). Whenever I got stumped in one question, I immediately moved on to the next. Scanning the entire examination
also allowed me to see if the possible answers to the earlier questions were found in the latter part of the questionnaire.
Your answer should follow ALAC: (1) Answer, (2) Legal basis, (3) Analysis, and (4) Conclusion. The first sentence
should briefly state your categorical answer to the question. Take a stand as early as possible. For example, if the
question asks whether a governmental act is constitutional, you should answer like this: No, the proposed bill is
unconstitutional, because it violates the doctrine of separation of powers and the equal protection clause. Your Legal
basis should cite the applicable principle, statute, or jurisprudence as is. The third part of your answer should explain
how the legal basis you cited applies to the present case/issue. Your last sentence should reiterate the stand you made
in the first sentence.
Be mindful of the examiner. The examiner only has 2-5 minutes to check your exam booklet. Make his/her job easier
by: (1) writing legibly, (2) answering direct to the point, (3) organizing your thoughts before answering, and (4) using key
words.
Always pray for guidance before every exam. Always give thanks after every exam, regardless of your feelings on how
you answered.
PATRICIA PEA
Ateneo Law School Batch 2014
Second Honors
STUDY FLOW
I initially wanted to do three readings + preweek. But you know, things dont always happen according to plan. (Dont feel
STUDY TIPS
bad by the way if di masunod yung plan. Added anxiety lang yun. Nangyayari talaga yun.)
READINGS
When I say reading, isang reading lang talaga. As in one material per subject. For others kasi first reading means first
read of book, reviewers, etc, per subject, tas one round uli ng lahat ng yun for their second reading. Hehe. I cant do that
Im a very very very slow reader and I want to focus on one material lang talaga.
1st reading Understand. Read the book, know the basics, concepts etc.
2nd reading Consolidate.
3rd reading Remember what is important (aka what is specifically mentioned in the syllabus).
MATERIALS
I. Books (I used review books except for CivW because time is of the essence, I cant afford reading individual books
because I might not have the time to cover everything if I do that):
1. Poli
a. Nachura
b. Bernas Primer (always ask Mang Nats for updates)
2. Labor
a. Abad easy to understand, easy read but incomplete, supplement with
b. Everyones Labor Code
3. Civil Law
a. Sempio - Diy Persons
b. Sempio - Diy Conflicts
c. Paras Property
d. Paras Succession Balane style without the long digests. Case doctrines na.
e. Oblicon Sta. Maria
f. MOST IMPORTANT BOOK EVER AQUINO 2014 CIV this is the only updated civ reviewer
(Tolentino and Jurado super luma na. Updated jurisprudence. Short AND easy to understand) Use this for
second read since reviewer style na talaga siya.
4. Tax
a. Co - Untian Tax for dummies. Important to have an understanding of tax, especially if its not your favorit
subject.
5. Comm
a. CLV Comm Rev BUT I DONT RECOMMEND THIS :(
b. Nego Made Easy
6. Crim
a. Boado (Okay lang, but for Crim 2, Id rather do Beda Mem - aid for 1st and 2nd read, nakulangan ako sa
Crim2 ni Boado, Incomplete SPL also)
7. Remedial Law
a. Riano (Old Edition, no volumes)
b. Festin Spec Pro (Recommended)
II. Reviewers (Ive used these reviewers during law school kaya medyo comfortable na ko with the materials)
1. Beda Mem-aid
STUDY TIPS
CHRISTIAN DRILON
Ateneo Law School Batch 2014
First Honor, Valedictorian
Ranked 2nd in the 2014 Bar Examination
General Tips
1. Follow what worked for you during law school. Youre the only one who knows what works best for you given your
STUDY TIPS
strengths and abilities. Dont feel pressured by your batchmates, because everyone has their own style and pace.
2. Have a plan at the beginning of Bar review and try to stick to it as much as possible. Decide how many reads you want
to achieve, where you want to study, who you want to study with, what your review materials will be, etc. Dont listen to
rumors about examiners, and dont try to read everything, because youll run out of time. Decide early on what you want
to achieve, and adjust as you go along. Generally, its better if you use the books/reviewers you used in law school.
3. Sleep at least 7-8 hours every night, including the night of the exams. Prioritize sleep over studying. Try to get regular
exercise also, since this helps you sleep better and supposedly improves brainpower and memory.
4. If youre going to enroll for a Bar review course, pick the lectures youll attend wisely. I found the normal review classes
inefficient because the lecturers spend a lot of time discussing concepts which you can read in just a fraction of the time.
However, DO NOT miss the updates to jurisprudence lectures.
5. You will find it really hard to study the Monday after each exam. Take this opportunity to relax and try to forget the pre-
vious exams. Personally, I was only able to study again the Tuesday after.
Study Schedule
8:30 Wake up
9:00 - 10:30 Breakfast/free time
11:00 - 12:00 Exercise
1:00 - 1:30 Lunch
1:30 - 7:00 Study
7:00 - 8:00 Dinner/free time
8:00 - 12:00 Study
12:00 - 12:30 Prepare to sleep/rest period
12:30 - 8:30 Sleep
I followed the schedule of the Bar, so I first studied Political law, then Labor, etc.
Rest day (2-3 times a week): essentially the same, but I replaced exercise with longer free time and a bit of studying
before lunch.
Schedule is the same for all days. If a date day, I finish studying before dinner so that dinner onwards is free.
I had no day during the week where I would not study at all. I would just have longer rest periods before and after
meals. Schedule can be adjusted as needed. If I felt like I didnt study as much, I would shorten my break times the fol-
lowing day to compensate. I would follow my schedule more strictly as it got closer to Bar month.
For my meal periods, I would usually watch one 20-minute show (Friends, Big Bang Theory, Modern Family) while eat-
ing, then Facebook/internet afterwards.
I only finished 2 readings for Bar review (then 1 more reading during pre-week for each subject).
I took around 3-5 completely study-free break days during the entire Bar review.
4:30 Wake up
5:00 - 6:00 Breakfast/free time
6:00 - 10:00 Study
10:00 - 11:00 Break
11:00 - 12:00 Exercise
1:00 - 1:30 Lunch
1:30 - 6:00 Study
6:00 - 7:00 Dinner/free time
7:00 - 9:00 Study
9:00 - 9:30 Prepare to sleep/rest period
9:30 - 4:30 Sleep
4:30 Wake up
5:00 - 6:00 Breakfast/free time
6:00 - 11:30 Study
11:30 - 12:00 Home exercises/bath
12:00 - 12:30 Lunch/free time
12:30 - 6:00 Study (or pre-week lectures)
6:00 - 6:30 Dinner/free time
6:30 - 9:00 Study
9:00 - 9:30 Prepare to sleep/rest period
9:30 - 4:30 Sleep
I always made sure to make time to exercise even for just 10 minutes, since it helps to regulate my sleep.
Review Materials
As much as possible, for 1st read, I would read all the materials I felt comfortable withthen transfer all of my notes into
one material which I then used for 2nd read and pre-week.
Political Law
1st read
Constitutional Law
Administrative Law, Public Officers, Local Government, Election Law
Public International Law
o Bernas, Primer
o Nachura, Reviewer in Political Law
o Nachura, Reviewer in Political Law
o Beda Memaid
o Nachura, Reviewer in Political Law
o Candelaria Notes
o Beda Memaid
Constitutional Law
STUDY TIPS
Labor Law
1st read
Civil Law
1st read
Taxation
1st read
UP tax reviewer
Commercial Law
1st read
STUDY TIPS
Criminal Law
1st read
Book 1
Book 2
o Boado, Notes and Cases on the Revised Penal Code
o Beda Memaid
o Beda Memaid
Beda Memaid
Remedial Law
Beda Memaid
Ethics
Beda Memaid
Note: skipped Ethics during 1st read, so 1st read was during 2nd read of other subjects