2025 Bar exam rate rises after 2024 dip

The Supreme Court (SC) announces on Wednesday, Jan. 7, the results of the 2025 Bar examinations, reporting a 48.98 percent passing rate, higher than the 37.84% recorded in 2024, as 5,594 examinees pass.

The online exams were conducted nationwide over three days in September 2025 at 14 testing centers. 

Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, chairperson of the 2025 Bar Committee, said the SC approved a 75% passing rate during a special full court session on the day of the announcement. 

Lazaro-Javier noted that the increase in passers reflects a significant improvement from the 2024 Bar examinations, which had 3,962 successful examinees. 

In 2024, the SC lowered the passing rate from 75 to 74 percent. 

She also announced that Jhenroniel Rhey Timola Sanchez of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman topped the examinations with a grade of 92.70%. 

Other topnotchers include Spinel Albert Allauigan Declaro with 92.46%, and Alaiza Agatep Adviento with 91.91%, both from the University of Santo Tomas (UST). 

The SC identified the top-performing law schools with more than 100 examinees namely Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), UP, and UST, Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation, and Far Eastern University (FEU). 

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto congratulated the passers and urged them to uphold integrity and public service as they entered the legal profession. 

“As you start your journey in the legal profession, you may never waver in your pursuit of truth and justice,” Recto said. 

“Always choose to do what is right even when it is not popular and easy, and never forget the Filipino nation whom you ultimately serve in the pursuit of what is just,” he added. 

The oath-taking and signing of the Roll of Attorneys will be held on February 6 at the Philippine Arena, the SC said. 

A total of 11,425 examinees completed the 2025 Bar examinations out of 13,193 registered applicants. 

The Bar examination remains the final requirement for the admission to the Philippine legal profession and is administered annually by the SC.