FAMILIES and well-wishers send off aspiring lawyers on the first day of the 2025 Bar Examinations at the New Era University in Quezon City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

By Erika Mae P. Sinaking

THE SUPREME COURT said 11,437 aspiring lawyers sat for the first day of the 2025 Bar Examinations on Sunday, marking an 86.7% turnout from 13,193 registrants.

Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, chairperson of this year’s exams, said the attendance reflects an increase from 2024, when 10,483 examinees reported on the first day.

“The trend is going up,” she told a news briefing. “Whenever there is a significant casualty rate, those who did not pass tend to return the following year.”

Of this year’s candidates, 5,215 are first-time takers, 4,239 are retakers and 1,984 are refresher examinees. The group also includes 241 persons with disabilities, 206 senior examinees, 41 pregnant examinees and 139 with medical conditions.

Women continue to outnumber men in the bar cohort, a trend seen in recent years. Of the total attendees, 6,673 were women compared with 4,764 men. Last year’s figures showed a similar ratio, with 6,108 female examinees against 4,375 males.

The exams are being conducted in a three-day, digitalized and localized format. The first day covered political and public international law as well as commercial and taxation laws.

The second day, scheduled for Sept. 10, will focus on civil law, labor law and social legislation, while the final day on Sept. 14 will cover criminal law, remedial law and legal and judicial ethics with practical exercises.

Testing is spread across 14 local centers nationwide. New Era University in Quezon City hosted the biggest number of examinees at 1,698, followed by the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu with 1,264 and Saint Louis University in Baguio with 1,253.

On exam standards, Justice Lazaro-Javier said each question is designed for fairness and clarity. “Every question is crafted with discernment and based on doctrines, principles and my own cases. Every subject is treated equally, and the standard is fairness,” she said.

With rain expected in some areas, contingency measures such as buses were placed on standby to help examinees, particularly in flood-prone centers.

Ms. Javier encouraged examinees to stay committed. “Success is not the result of a single action. It is a series of decisions to show up and do your best,” she added.

The results of the 2025 bar exams are expected in December. Last year, 3,962 passed, or a 37.84% passing rate.