MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) had the highest passing rate of 86.76% in the 2018 Bar Examinations, according to data given by the Supreme Court to law schools.

Ateneo, with 204 Bar candidates, scored the highest passing rate in Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises with 96.57%, and scored the lowest in Taxation with 67.16%.

University of the Philippines (UP) had the second highest passing rate of 84.39%, followed by the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu with 72.45%.

As far as topnotchers are concerned, the top 3 highest passing schools also pulled off feats in the 2018 Bar Examinations.

Ateneo produced the 2018 topnotcher, with class valedictorian Sean James Borja scoring the top passing grade of 89.306%.  The last time that AdMU produced the top 1 was in 2012.

UP College of Law returned to the top 10 after two years. UP failed to get to the top 10 in the 2016 and 2017 Bar Examinations.

USC continued its feat in the 2018 Bar Examinations as 4 of its graduates made it to the top 10. In 2016, the top 1 came from USC, while 3 other USC graduates also made it to the top 10. In 2017, there were 3 USC graduates in the top 20.

The other top passing schools in the 2018 Bar Examinations are: University of Asia and the Pacific School of Law, Ateneo de Davao University, San Beda University – Manila, University of Santo Tomas, Angeles University Foundation, Xavier University, and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. 

The 1,800 new lawyers who make up the 22.07% total passing rate for 2018 took their oath on June 13.

– Rappler.com