How to Present Answers in Bar Examination/ Law School Mid-Term Exam

Answering questions in the Bar Examination involves basically two aspect: (1) form; and, (2)
substance. The guidelines provided are designed to ensure that an examinee may better communicate
their answers. They could also be useful in answering exams at law schools as most of them prefer to
imitate the bar examination to prepare their students.
FORM
Forms refer to the physical presentation of the answer to appeal aesthetically to the examiner. These
include but are not limited to guidelines for (1) margin, indentation and proper punctuation, (2)
erasures, and (3) spacing. Proper form is necessary as you must mind that an examiner will check
the answers of multiple examinees.
Proper margin should be observed in answering question at the bar exam. Equal width should be used
at both sides. For example, if on the right side, a margin of one (1) inch is used, the width of the
margin on the left side should also be one (1) inch. An examinee must train himself to write with
invisible margin. Some examinees use a U-shaped cut-out from acetate paper for marking margins.
However, before using such, permission must be sought from the proctor. Correct punctutation must
be observed in sentences, and the first sentence in a paragraph must always be indented.
Erasures must be done by striking through the answer intended to be erased. Do not cross out your
erasures. This will be considered as marking your examination booklet. If no space is available for
changes in your answer, indicate the page that contain it. However, some examiner may consider this
as not following instruction.
Leave one space in between paragraph.
An examinee must always write concisely and clearly. Sentences should contain only about 20-25
words, while a paragraph should contain only about 7-10 lines. If longer sentences are needed, an
examinee can use punctuations such as comma and collon to express break in or continuity of
thought.
There is no need to restate the whole question. For example, in answering the question "May an
illegitimate child of an alien mother and a naturalized Filipino father acquire the citizenship of his
putative father?" instead of restating the question in declarative form, an examinee can simply state,
"Yes, the illegimate child can acquire the citizenship of his father." This way, unnecessarily consuming
space in your booklet is avoided. Remember that each answer requires one page which only contains
15 lines.
A sentence must always express a complete thought, but it must not be absurdly shortened. Instead
of writing, "He run. He went to the Dean's office." write "He run to the Dean's office."
A paragraph must contain coherent sentences organized under a singular topic. If the paragraph is
about the legal basis of your answer, all sentences contained in the paragraph must refer to the legal
basis of your answer.
High-faluting words must be avoided. The use of simple word is more advisable as this ensures
universal comprehesion. For example, instead of "pillorize" use the more familiar "penalize."
Repeatedly using the same word in a short answer is not advisable.
Handwriting is also considered in so far that it must be legible, and does not require unnecessary
effort from the examiner to comprehend. For consistency, an examinee must answer only in one
style, either in cursive or in print. Keep in mind that answer booklets used in the bar examination are
similar to composition notebooks. Your handwriting must be more rounded to suit the spacing of the
booklet. Use one color of ink throughout the examination. Fountain or sign pens are the preferred
writing implement in the bar.
Do not use abbreviation. Use "shall not" instead of "shan't." Similarly, acronyms for the Supreme
Court such as "SC" is discouraged. In referring to the Supreme Court, use "Court" or "Supreme
Court." Members of the Court should be referred with their respective title. If retired, write "retired"

or "former" as in "retired Justice Regalado." Do not be casual in referring to the justices by using their
first name. Write "Justice Carpio-Morales" and NOT "Conchita."
Acronyms can be used if they are acceptable. For example, "UN" is generally understood to refer to
the "United Nations." Otherwise, full meaning of acronyms must be presented first. For example, use
first "The Pontifical University of Sto. Tomas (UST)" after which you may proceed to use "UST" as its
acronym.
Aside from possible technicalities, the goal of form is to make your answers as aesthetically pleasing
as possible. It aims to eliminate distraction from the substance of your answer. Put yourself in the
place of the examiner. He will be tediously checking hundreds of answers from the examinees for the
next six months. He is likely to be less inclined to give his full attention to improperly presented
answers.
SUBSTANCE
There are two ways of answering in the bar exams: (1) Direct attack; and, (2) four-paragraph form.
The first is less time-extensive. However, the second one is commonly used by bar-top notcher even
though time-extensive.
Answers are recommended to be presented in four-paragraph form:
1. ANSWER. Responsive answer
2. LEGAL BASIS. Identify the relevant legal basis
3. APPLICATION. Apply the legal basis to the question at hand
4. Conclusion. Restatement of the responsive answer.
SAMPLE QUESTION:
"May an illegitimate child of an alien mother and a naturalized Filipino father acquire the citizenship of
his putative father?"
Substance refers to the (1) responsive answer, (2) legal basis, (3) logic and, (4) grammar.
Your answer must be responsive to the question. It must provide the information asked in the
question. If the question is answerable by "yes" or "no" answer it with either a "yes" or a "no." If the
question calls for an enumeration, enumerate; if for a definition, define. This shall be your first
paragraph. For example, in answering the question you may answer it with "Yes, the illegimate child
can acquire the citizenship of his father" in your first paragraph.
Your legal basis is the law on which your answer is based. In law school, you can not answer a
question without legal basis. In bar examination, you are expected but not required to cite the
specific provision in the law. If your answer is based on jurisprudence, you may simply state "Under
the prevailing Philippine jurisprudence." It is of course, more commendable if an examinee can cite the
specific provison. This forms your second paragraph. In answering the question, you may write
"Under the present Constitution, children born of Filipino mother or father are citizens of the
Philippines" or "Paragraph 2, section 1, Article IV of the present Constitution states "(The following
are citizens of the Philippines) those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines."
In the third paragraph, you must apply your legal basis to the facts of the question. You may answer
"Since the illegitimate child is born of a naturalized Filipino father, under the present Consitution, the
child is a citizen of the Philippines."
Your conclusion is a restatement of your answer. Make sure that they do not contradict each other.
You may answer "Therefore, the illegitimate child can acquire the citizenship of his father."
Your answer must be logical. This means that it is coherent, does not fall prey to logical fallacy, and
"follows." The most common mistake in logic is non-sequitur statements. An examinee must properly
show how point A reaches point C, by going through point B and plotting the connection between each
point. Outlining can help you maintain coherence in your answers.
Correct grammar must be observed. Suject-predicate agreement should be followed. If you write in
the "present tense" observe the "present tense" all through out. Correct spelling is highly encourage.
Grammatical lapses reduce the persuasive power of your answers as they show your weak command

of the English language. This may distract the examiner from the substance of your answer and can be
a demerit against you.
In case of doubt, keep in mind that these guidelines are recommended to facilitate ease of
communicating your answer to the examiner.
NOTE:
Majority of the guidelines were culled from a lecture on Legal Research. The example question was
adapted from an assignment on the subject. However, they are not entirely faithful to the lecture. The
writer took liberty in transliterating it to terms he can best understand. He also added some insights
of his own. Any defect lies at his fault.
One of the more authoritative reference in writing is the stylebook by Stuart & White. An old edition
can readily be downloaded from the Internet. Remember that practice makes perfect.

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