COACHING Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Now that the first mock bar exams is over, it’s now time for your first coaching session. I’m sure you all have questions with regards to the coaching process so here are some answers to Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about coaching.

1.)    When does the coaching session start and when is it conducted? – Coaches usually take about a week or two before all bar exam booklets assigned to them have been completely checked. Most coaches start coaching the week after the mock bar exams. Coaching sessions are conducted while the bar review lectures are going on. The review center assistant will call your attention and inform you that your coach would like to meet you. Just excuse yourself from the lecture.

2.)    What is the purpose and objective of coaching – Just like your sports coach who will guide you in your attempt to master your craft, Jurists Bar Review Center Coaches, guide you and makes sure you are prepared to take the bar exams.  Although much of coaching is focused on how you answered the mock bar exams, coaches also make an effort to give you guidance on your review. Your bar exam coaches are your mentors and your friends. Do your best to learn from them.

3.)    Is it really a one-on-one session? How long does it session take? – Yes. It is a one on one session. Each session spans from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the individual needs of each reviewee.

4.)    Can I get to choose my coach? – No. At Jurists we have a coach rotation policy. The purpose of this is that there may some things that need improvement in your part that one coach cannot see, but may be seen by others. Currently Jurists Bar Review Center Cebu has 5 coaches. (A 6^th coach still has to be confirmed) Since there 6 mock bars, it is possible that you will be coached by one of the coaches twice.

5.)    How is the individual reviewee’s progress monitored considering the coach rotation policy? – Each individual reviewee has a file that contains your data, attendance, your previous mock bar exam evaluation sheets and other important details. Before your coach will have a session with you, he or she will review your file and take into consideration your existing file so that your progress will be monitored. During the last leg of the mock bar exams, a summary of your evaluation sheet, pointing out your individual strength and weakness will be attached to your file and will be presented to you.

6.)    Will my coach tell me if I am prepared to take the bar or not? – It depends on the coach. No coach would want to discourage a bar exam candidate so, as much possible they would choose their words carefully which would sometime obscure the direct message as to whether a bar exam candidate is prepared to take the bar or not. However most coach will gladly tell you if you ask their honest opinion about it, so the best way to know is to ask.

7.)    Can I have my coaching session in some other day other than the weekends? – As a general rule it should be conducted during the weekend sessions while the lectures are going on.  However it will depend upon your coach if they would be willing to meet you on another day.

8.)    If mock bar exams are not graded how does my coach “score” my mock bar exams? – Your mock bar exam notebooks are evaluated on three Major criteria these are Form, Substance and Time-management. Each of these major criteria are divided into sub-criteria wherein you are graded on the basis of whether or not you have achieved an excellent, very satisfactory, satisfactory or that you need more room for improvement for a certain sub criteria. You will be provided with an evaluation sheet on how you performed in each mock bar exam. Your coach will also write down some comments in the evaluation sheet aside from writing comments on your mock bar exam notebook.

9.)    What if I am absent during the time I was scheduled to be coached? Can I still attend my coaching session – This is the reason why we emphasize that it is very important that you attend all Jurists lectures since it is during these times that the coaching is conducted. If you are absent during the time that you are supposed to be coached, make sure you are present the next lecture day so that your coach can have a coaching session with you. However if you are absent for several lecture weekends, than your scheduled coach might not be able to hold a coaching session with you anymore and you will have to wait for another mock bar exam. This time another coach will try to have a coaching session with you for that particular mock bar and the previous mock bar wherein you were not coached. We do our best to ensure that you will be coached for each mock bar. However in order that this be achieved, we reiterate that you should not be absent in any of the lecture sessions.

10.)  Does coaching really help? Does it guarantee my passing the bar? With regards to the first question, yes it does. Coaching helps the reviewee connect with somebody that has been through the same experience. Ask any Jurists Bar review alumni who has been faithful in taking the mock bar exams and has gone through all coaching sessions and you will know how coaching has helped them a lot when they were preparing for the bar exams. With regards to the second question, coaching does not guarantee that you can pass the bar. Even if you did all you can to study your books, follow Jurists protocols and even if you were present in all lectures, took all mock bar exams and availed of all coaching sessions, it still does not guarantee your passing the bar. There are too many factors involved that has to be taken into consideration.  However having a coach does make your journey to hurdle the bar much more easier and it will do a lot to help you pass the bar or even top it.