Manila – More than 12,000 law graduates are set to take the three-day Bar Examinations across the Philippines, beginning this Sunday at various designated testing centers.

According to the Philippines News Agency, a total of 12,246 candidates have registered to sit for the exams, which will also take place on September 11 and 15. These examinations will be hosted in 13 locations nationwide, including multiple sites in the National Capital Region such as the University of the Philippines Diliman and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, as well as campuses like University of Santo Tomas and San Beda University in Manila. Additional centers are located in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, accommodating participants from across the country.

The Bar Exams will cover six core subjects, constituting various percentages of the overall score: Political and Public International Law, Commercial and Taxation Laws, Civil Law, Labor Law and Social Legislation, Criminal Law, and Remedial Law combined with Legal and Judicial Ethics with Practical Exercises. These subjects reflect the comprehensive scope of knowledge expected of aspiring lawyers in the Philippines.

For the first time, the exams will be administered through Examplify, a secure computer-based testing software that examinees must install on their personal laptops. Strict guidelines have been set for the technology used during the exams, including prohibitions on smartphones, tablets, and unapproved computer accessories. Additional rules regarding font size and laptop settings aim to ensure the integrity and fairness of the testing process.

Local authorities have also implemented liquor bans and road closures around the testing centers to facilitate a smooth examination process, particularly in Manila where roads will be closed from early morning until evening on exam days.