Mark Jose Padual Vivit, a graduate from Ateneo Law School, secured an impressive second place in the 2023 bar examinations, scoring 89.1250%. His achievement marks a significant success for Ateneo Law School, which stood as the top performing school among those with over 100 first-time bar examinees, boasting a remarkable 94.08% passing rate. Additionally, Ateneo Law maintained its top position even when considering all candidates (first time and multiple takers), with a passing rate of 93.18%.
Vivit, who also holds a degree in political science, watched the Supreme Court’s live announcement of the bar exam results with his family. The moment his name was called, marking his unexpected high rank, was met with screams, tears, and hugs of joy from Vivit and his loved ones. He admitted to finding the exam challenging, feeling drained and disoriented post-exam, which only added to his surprise at securing such a high rank.
In the 2023 bar exam, a total of 3,812 out of 10,387 examinees passed, translating to a passing rate of 36.77%. This rate was notably lower compared to the previous year’s 43.47%. Vivit’s accomplishment is part of a broader context where the bar exam is notoriously challenging, and this year’s lower pass rate highlights the significant achievement of those who succeeded. In his message to fellow examinees, Vivit emphasized the long-term nature of a career in law, encouraging persistence and continued effort. He congratulated all participants, recognizing the collective effort and dedication required to undertake the bar exams, regardless of the outcome.