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Strategizing Your 2025 Philippine Bar Exam Review: Essential Materials and Techniques

Published on April 22, 2025 | Updated on May 28, 2025
Reviewed by Attorney Raymond Rodis

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Preparing for the 2025 Philippine Bar Exam requires a concurrence of multiple things all at once—a strategic approach, the right study materials, and effective review techniques, among others. Aside from these, however, it is likewise important to take into consideration each particular subject as a component of the Bar exam. So, for the purposes of preparing for the upcoming 2025 Bar exam, this guide will provide you with recommended resources and strategies to optimize your preparation across the subjects part of the coverage.

 

Understanding the Exam Structure

The Supreme Court's Bar Bulletin No. 1 provides comprehensive syllabi detailing specific provisions and legal principles for each subject. Needless to say, familiarizing yourself with this essential, if not necessary, for your bar exam preparations.

 

Recommended Study Materials by Subject

1. Political Law: For policial law, you could refer to Political Law Reviewer by Justice Isagani A. Cruz. Furthermore, you could also refer to Constitutional Law by Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J. In studying for political law, make sure to focus on the  1987 Constitution's provisions, landmark Supreme Court decisions, and recent jurisprudence on related matters.
 

2. Civil Law: Civil Law Reviewer and Civil Code of the Philippines Annotated by Justice Edgardo L. Paras are good resources for civil law. Elmer Rabuya’s Civil Law Reviewer is also a recommended choice. This year’s Bar examinations places an emphasis on obligations and contracts, property, succession, and family relations.
 

3. Labor Law: Labor Law Reviewer and Labor Code of the Philippines by Cesario A. Azucena Jr. are among the recommended resources for labor law. Place emphasis on topics such as employee rights, labor standards, recent labor-related jurisprudence, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issuances.
 

4. Taxation Law: For taxation law, a food resource is Fundamentals of Taxation by De Leon and De Leon Jr. As supplement, National Internal Revenue Code annotated by Hector S. De Leon is a good choice. Needless to say, taxation law is all about the different types of taxes in the Philippines and remedies and enforcement of the same. Thus, understand income taxation, business taxes, and transfer taxes, focusing on amendments and current revenue regulations by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
 

5. Commercial Law: Dean Nilo T. Divina’s Compendious Bar Reviewer on Commercial Law is a recommended reviewer for commercial law. Aside from this, Commercial Law Reviewer by Jorge Miravite and The Philippine Corporate Law by Villanueva are also resources which have been widely used for commercial law. Commercial law is heavily based on codal provisions—make sure to study the Corporation Code, Securities Regulation Code, and laws on banking, among others.
 

6. Criminal Law: Luis B. Reyes’ Criminal Law Reviewer and The Revised Penal Code remain to be recommended materials for criminal law. Make sure to master the Revised Penal Code's (RPC) provisions and special penal laws—especially the ones which amend certain provisions of the RPC.

7. Remedial Law: For remedial law, Dean Willard Riano’s Bar Lecture Series remains to be a popular choice among bar candidates. Remedial law consists of civil and criminal procedure, evidence, and special proceedings—so make sure to master codal provisions on those subjects.
 

8. Legal Ethics: For legal ethics, make sure to master the recently-issued Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC), considering that the Chairperson for its Committee is no other than this year’s Bar chairperson: Justice Lazaro-Javier. 

 

Bar takers would also benefit from studying notable cases penned by Lazaro-Javier, J., as these decisions reflect the Chairperson’s judicial reasoning and may inform the ethical frameworks emphasized in this year’s exam.
 

Effective Review Strategies

  1. Structured Study Plan: Develop a schedule allocating specific timeframes for each subject, ensuring comprehensive coverage. It helps to engage in active recall and practice—regularly test your knowledge using past bar questions and mock exams to enhance retention and application skills.
     

  2. Utilize Technology: One legal research platform, such as Digest PH offer legal AI for bar exam, which helps clarify complex provisions and generate practice questions, aiding in efficient study sessions. Digest.PH likewise offers reviewers made by law students themselves. Check out this compilation by jurisprudence penned by the Bar Chairperson, Justice Lazaro-Javier and case collections for the 2025 Bar exam.
     

  3. Engage in Review Communities: Joining study groups or online forums, such as the 2025 Philippine Bar Exam Support Group on Facebook, can provide support, diverse insights, and resource sharing.
     

  4. Stay Updated: Regularly check the Supreme Court's official announcements for any changes in exam schedules, formats, or coverage.
     

  5. Health and Wellness: Incorporate regular breaks, exercise, and adequate sleep into your routine to maintain physical and mental well-being.
     

Conclusion

Success in the 2025 Philippine Bar Exam will depend on a combination of utilizing authoritative study materials and implementing effective review strategies. So by tailoring your preparation to your learning style and staying informed about exam developments, you can approach the exam with confidence and competence.

Best of luck, future Atty.!

Digest AI