12,029 aspiring lawyers take first day of 2026 Bar exams

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 07, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA — A total of 12,029 aspiring lawyers took the first day of the 2026 Bar Examinations on Sunday, September 6, across 15 local testing centers nationwide.

The Supreme Court said 13,441 applicants had been cleared to take this year’s examinations, meaning 1,412 did not show up on the first day.

2026 Bar Exams Chairperson and Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan said examinees may have withdrawn for different reasons, including health concerns, family problems, or feeling unprepared as the examination date approached.

Those who failed to take the first day will have to wait until the next Bar examinations to try again, according to Gaerlan.

Women make up the majority of this year’s examinees. Of the 12,029 who showed up, 6,773 or 56.3% are women, while 5,256 or 43.7% are men.

The examinees also span several generations. The youngest is 24 years old, while the oldest is 84. The Supreme Court recorded 285 senior citizens and 304 persons with disabilities among this year’s examinees.

Gaerlan said the participation of older examinees shows that age does not have to stop aspiring lawyers from pursuing their goal of joining the legal profession.

The Bar examinations are primarily conducted digitally through laptops, although three examinees were allowed to answer by hand due to individual circumstances, including medical conditions and limited computer experience.

The first day covered Political and Public International Law in the morning and Commercial and Taxation Laws in the afternoon.

The examinations will continue on Wednesday, September 9, before concluding on Sunday, September 13.

The Supreme Court is targeting January 2027 for the release of the results, although no exact date has been announced.

Gaerlan has not given an expected passing rate, saying the outcome will ultimately depend on the examinees’ preparation and performance.