THE Supreme Court en banc yesterday rescheduled the conduct of the 2020-2021 Bar exams, originally set to be held in November this year, to January and February next year.
“After considering the COVID-19 situation nationally and in all testing sites, as well as receiving advice from various experts, the Supreme Court, after recommendation by the Bar Chairperson… decided to reset the Bar
examinations from November 2021 to January 16, 23, 30 and February 6, 2022,” the SC said in a bulletin.
While the examination dates were moved, the SC said “the application period will not be reopened” after the Sept. 24 deadline lapsed.
SC records showed more than 11, 000 law graduates applied to take the exams.
The SC said all preparatory activities for the exams, such as the selection of venues, downloading of the secure exam delivery program, and other activities, will continue.
“Treat this as an opportunity. Keep your momentum. Remember that you study not only to pass the Bar examinations, but also so that you will best serve others. Study well, purposively, and with passion,” said Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the Bar Exams Committee chair.
The coming exams will be the first in history to be held online, localized and proctored, with the examinees using their own laptops instead of the traditional exams that required all answers to be handwritten.
Of the 24 testing centers nationwide, five will be in Metro Manila, namely, the Ateneo de Manila University Law School on Rockwell Drive, Makati City; Manila Adventist College in Pasay City; University of Makati, Far Eastern University in Sampaloc, Manila; and the University of Sto, Tomas on Espana, Manila.
