SC sets guidelines for ‘digitalized’ Sharia Bar Exams

The Supreme Court (File Photo By patrickroque01/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday said it will adopt the use of the Examplify program for the “digitalized” 2024 Shariah Bar Examinations (SBE).

In a statement, the tribunal said Examplify is a secure computer-based program to be installed in the examinees’ laptops to allow them to take the 2024 SBE digitally while being physically present in their respective local testing centers (LTCs).

Under the guidelines issued by the Court, all examinees must bring a laptop during the two days of the SBE.

Examinees are advised to be familiar with using their laptops, which should be in good working condition and must meet the following basic specifications: Wi-Fi enabled, with a built-in keyboard, functioning trackpad, integrated display monitor, and a healthy and fully charged battery. The examinees must also bring their laptop chargers.

Examinees are requested to refrain from bringing and using external gadgets and computer accessories because the allotted desk space is sufficient for only one laptop. Smartphones, tablets, and the like are prohibited.

Qualified applicants shall be given their own individual Examplify accounts. An e-mail containing detailed instructions on account credentials and how to download and access Examplify accounts shall be sent to each examinee’s Bar Applicant Registration Information System and Tech Assistance (BARISTA)-registered e-mail address by April 11, 2024.

The examinees are required to install the compatible version of Examplify on their respective laptops no later than April 12, 2024. They must closely monitor the Inbox and Spam folders of their respective BARISTA-registered e-mail account on or before said date to verify receipt of this correspondence.

To ensure compatibility between the examinees’ laptops and Examplify, and to help them become familiar with its mechanics, two sample examinations will be provided and examinees are advised to use the laptops that they intend to use during the actual SBE.

The first sample examination will be will be accessible until May 1, 2024. This sample examination is optional.

The second sample examination is mandatory and must be taken and submitted no later than April 20, 2024. Failure to take the Second Sample Examination will result in the deactivation of the Examplify account of the non-complying examinee.

This year’s SBE will take place on April 28 and May 2. Local testing centers will be available in the National Capital Region (University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City) and Region XI (Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City).