Mock bar exams Frequenty Asked Questions (FAQ)

We just had our first mock bar here at Jurists Bar Review Center Cebu last Saturday. The Civil law mock bar exam was conducted in the afternoon of April 25, 2009.  Quite a good number took the exams, a total of 68 all in all. Sadly, 21 reviewees did not take the exam for several reasons, the majority of the reason being that they are not prepared to take the mock bar exams.

We would like to emphasize that you do not need to be afraid of taking the mock bar exams. To make the most out of what you paid for you should take each and every mock bar exams. I will emphasize on this later on when I release the post entitled “Ten reasons why you should take each and every mock bar exams.”

People always fear the unknown. This could also be one of the reasons probably why some reviewees do not want to take the exam.  So in order to somehow make you more comfortable with the mock bar exams let me answer some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Jurists Mock Bar exams.   

1.)    How many mock bar exams will be given? – All in all there are six mock bar exams. For this year the subjects that will be covered by the Mock bar exams will be Civil law, Remedial law, Commercial law, Criminal law, Legal Ethics and Taxation. The subjects covered are not the same for each year. It will depend on the discretion of the Review director.

2.)    Why only 6 subjects, are there not 8 bar subjects ? – Because of the lack of time, only 6 mock bar exams are given, also we do not want to give a mock bar exam especially during the months of July and August since the bar exams is fast approaching during that time and we do not want to add to the nervousness and stress that each reviewee is experiencing.

3.)    Are these full mock bar exams? – Yes. When you take the exams, it is as if you are taking the actual bar exams. Some mock bar exams are even long and have more than 30 questions including sub-questions. We also try to simulate the actual bar exam experience and the amount of time given is the same as that of the actual bar exams. However there are some rules that differ from the actual bar exams so make sure you read the rules of the actual bar exams and do not rely on the rules, guidelines and norms of the mock bar exams.  

4.)    What type of questions are asked in the mock bar exams? - We try to include all types of questions these includes, definitions, enumerations. Most questions are however problem type questions just like in the actual bar exams

5.)    Why are we made to pay for the mock bar exam booklets are they not included in the tuition fee ? – The mock bar exams booklets are not included in the tuition fee. The reason for such is that we do not know how many booklet a reviewee needs when he or she takes the mock bar exams. Others also want to buy extra booklets so they can practice at home.

6.)    Are the mock bar booklets the same as that of the actual bar exam booklets ? The pages of the mock bar exam booklets are more or less a replica of the actual bar exam booklet. However the actual bar exam booklets has a different front page. The front page of the actual bar exam booklet has also a different color for each bar subject.

7.)    If I come in late or I am absent can I still take the mock bar exams? – The general rule is that we do not allow those who are late or absent to take the mock bar exams. We want you to be disciplined. In the actual bar exams, you cannot take the exams if you are late. However some circumstances require special consideration, so we bend the rules from time to time depending on the circumstances.

8.)    Are these the same exams every offered in Jurists every year ? – No. The review director makes sure that we have a fresh new exam every year. The questions every year are new, although there may be some old ones thrown in.

9.)    Can we take home the exam questionnaire? – Yes. In the actual bar exams, you cannot do this. In the Jurists mock bar exams, you can bring home the exam questionnaire for your reference.

10.)  Do you provide a copy of the mock bar exam answers? – Yes. Copies of the mock bar exam answers may be given via electronic mail or through printed form. Also, there is a mock bar exam discussion that will reveal the correct. Some reviewees do not attend the mock bar exam discussion as they are already stressed out after the mock bar exams. We understand this but You should not miss the mock bar exam discussion as lectures on how to answer each question the Jurists way is discussed.

11.) Will my mock bar exams booklet be returned to me – Yes. The mock bar booklets first be checked by the coaches. The coaches will then schedule a session with you after which you will get your mock bar booklet.

12.) Is the mock bar exams a graded exam? -  No. You do not have to worry about getting a failing grade here. Unlike the actual bar exams, we give more weight on how you answer the questions rather than if your answers are correct or not. However the correctness of your answers will be considered in the evaluation.