THE Supreme Court yesterday said Bar examinees can keep reviewers in their laptops but are not allowed to access them during the actual exams.
Despite the somewhat relaxed policy, Associate Justice and Bar Chairperson Marvic Leonen reminded the examinees not to attempt any form of cheating, adding they will be automatically disqualified.
“Examinees should not abuse this policy. Any form of cheating will not be tolerated. Anyone who will be caught violating these rules will be automatically disqualified from the 2020/2021 Bar examinations and future bar examinations. No second chances will be given for any breach of the Honor Code,” Leonen said in Bar Bulletin No.35.
Under the previous bulletin, examinees were advised to organize and offload their law-related files into external devices before taking the exams. They are also prohibited from using their laptops other than to use Examplify during the text proper.
While they are allowed to keep reviewers in their files under the new bulletin, examinees are not allowed to exit the Examplify program or connect to the Internet unless for downloading or uploading their answers.
“Examinees are also well advised not to attempt any form of cheating with the relaxed policy. As those who have completed the Sample Exams already know, Examplify is a secure delivery program designed to prohibit examinees from exiting the application once the test proper has begun. Trying to access files during the test proper is a futile effort and a violation of the Honor Code,” the new Bar bulletin said.
Unless authorized, examinees are still prohibited from connecting to the Internet at all times, except to download questionnaires and uploading answer files.
The SC also reiterated that examinees are prohibited from using their laptops for social media once they enter the testing center. They are also prohibited from bringing iPads, tablets or other gadgets inside the testing center.
Previously scheduled for four days last month, the Bar exams will now be held for two days on February 4 and 6.
The decision to move the schedule was due to the spike in COVID-19 cases with many examinees either testing positive for the virus or under quarantine.
