Supreme Court unveils 2025 Bar Exam results

By Ryan Mostar

THE Supreme Court (SC) has released the 2025 Philippine Bar Examination results, bringing months of anticipation for aspiring lawyers across the nation to a dramatic close. For examinees, the announcement marks a defining milestone in their pursuit of legal excellence and the long-sought license to practice law.

Renowned as the country’s most prestigious and grueling professional licensure test, the Philippine Bar Examinations stand apart from all others, conducted exclusively under the supervision of the Supreme Court—not the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Article VIII, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution empowers the Court to set the rules governing admission to the legal profession, ensuring that only the most capable join the ranks of Filipino lawyers.

Famed for its rigor, the Bar challenges examinees across a broad array of legal subjects, with passing rates historically hovering between 20% and 40%. To succeed, candidates must earn a general weighted average of at least 75 percent—though the Supreme Court retains the discretion to adjust this threshold, as it did in 2019 and 2024, when the passing mark was lowered to 74 percent.

Before the official announcement, the Court held a special en banc session to “decode” the results, with the Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC) opening the sealed envelopes that revealed the names of successful candidates.

The 2025 exams, held from September 7 to 14, set new records with unprecedented participation. A total of 11,425 examinees completed the three-day tests—the largest number of finishers in Philippine Bar history. Day 1 drew 11,437 candidates, followed by 11,429 on Day 2. The exams were administered using Examplify, a secure computer-based platform, with in-person proctoring and CCTV monitoring ensuring strict supervision.

Successful examinees will take their oath on February 6, a milestone in their journey into the legal profession and a recognition of the Supreme Court’s role in upholding the prestige and standards of the Philippine Bar.