Bar Exams Rescheduled to Early February

The Bar Examinations were again rescheduled to early February, the Supreme Court said Friday, in consideration of applicants affected by the surge in COVID-19 infections.

The exams with the revised coverage will be held on Feb. 4 and 6, the high court said in a statement. The 2020/21 Bar was earlier rescheduled scheduled on Jan. 23 and 25.

The Supreme Court said 16.8% of the 8,546 Bar examinees reported they were either positive for or have been exposed to COVID-19, making them unable to take the exams in January.

"Understand the situation of others. Be compassionate. Take a few days of to compose yourself. Then go back to prepare. Study with purpose. Take care always. Help others," Bar Chairman Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said.

The upcoming Bar Exams will test two batches of graduates -- those from 2020 and 2021 -- since last year's exams were also cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Supreme Court earlier announced that due to the "extraordinary circumstances" posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020/21 Bar Exams would break away from the tradition of announcing top 10 passers and would instead recognize all examinees who will record "exemplary performance."