The University of the Philippines (UP) Law Aptitude Exam (LAE) is an entrance examination that is taken by aspiring law students who wish to enter the UP College of Law. It is a highly competitive exam that tests the applicants’ knowledge and aptitude in various fields that are relevant to legal studies. 

The UP LAE is composed of four parts: Language Proficiency, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, and an Essay. The Language Proficiency part tests the applicants’ grammar, vocabulary, and sentence construction skills. The Reading Comprehension part tests their ability to understand and analyze written material, while the Critical Thinking part assesses their ability to analyze arguments and apply logical reasoning. 

The Essay part, on the other hand, requires the applicants to write an essay on a given topic. This part tests their ability to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely, as well as their ability to construct an argument. 

The UP LAE is known for being one of the most difficult law entrance exams in the Philippines, with a low acceptance rate of around 10-15%. This means that only a small fraction of applicants who take the exam are accepted into the UP College of Law. 

The exam is usually taken by graduating college students or those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree. The exam is held annually, usually in September or October, and is open to all Filipino citizens and foreign nationals who wish to study law in the Philippines. 

To prepare for the UP LAE, aspiring law students need to have a strong foundation in various academic disciplines, such as English, Mathematics, and Social Studies. They also need to have excellent critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as the ability to express their ideas clearly and concisely in written form. 

Many review centers offer UP LAE review courses to help aspiring law students prepare for the exam. These review courses cover various topics that are included in the exam, such as language proficiency, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and essay writing. 

In conclusion, the UP Law Aptitude Exam is a highly competitive entrance exam that is taken by aspiring law students who wish to enter the UP College of Law. It is composed of four parts that test the applicants’ knowledge and aptitude in various fields that are relevant to legal studies. Aspiring law students need to have a strong foundation in various academic disciplines, excellent critical thinking and analytical skills, and the ability to express their ideas clearly and concisely in written form to prepare for the exam. 

Computer-based Law Aptitude Examination

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed the functioning and outcomes of education systems around the world. Many universities and colleges worldwide suspend classroom teaching and switch to online or module-based education. Before the pandemic, admission exams were administered in person, usually in paper format, with students and proctors physically present together in a school or a testing center. At the UP College of Law, the pandemic has also challenged the college admission committee to develop an innovative selection process for the UPLAE for A.Y. 2021-22.

The UP Law Aptitude Examination for 2021 became computer-based for the first time. But before the examination, applicants underwent a two-week pre-LAE online course program first with assessment. Those who passed the pre-LAE online assessment were eligible for the computer-based LAE. And those who passed the LAE then underwent an interview as the final selection phase. Since the coronavirus pandemic is not yet over, it is expected that future UPLAE applicants will go through the same selection process. So, what to expect?

The Pre-LAE Online Course

Expect that the outline of the pre-LAE online course will focus on (1) the historical overview of the Philippine legal profession, (2) the different branches of government, and (3) selected Supreme Court decisions. The course content may be delivered thru various media such as video or audio, virtual discussion, readings, etc. After each course subject, applicants will take the assessment in four (4) parts as follow:

(a) Listening Comprehension
(b) Reading Comprehension
(c) English Grammar Proficiency
(d) Essay Writing.

The pre-LAE online tests will measure necessary and desirable skills for those studying in the UP College of Law. The results of the pre-LAE tests, along with other information submitted in one’s application (such as General Weighted Average), will be considered in determining eligibility to take the computer-based LAE through ExamSoft, a third-party testing solution that operates offline without the use of the internet. It claims to have the highest level of platform security and stability in the administration of computer-based examinations. In the US, ExamSoft is widely used in administering state bar exams.

Here in the Philippines, the Supreme Court has recently announced that it will switch the modality of the test administration from the traditional handwritten testing to a computerized-based testing system through ExamSoft as part of SC’s effort to institute major reforms in the conduct of future Bar Examinations. Will this become a trend for all high-stakes examinations in the Philippines like Civil Service Exams, board exams, PhiLSAT, etc.? This may be an uncharted territory but a very promising system of administering exams.

In fact, the 2021 UPLAE test-takers became the guinea pig for this innovation as they were the ones who first experienced this modality for a high-stakes exam in the Philippines. They simultaneously took the computer-based UPLAE in May 2021 in the comfort of their home. Here are some of the important and unique features of the ExamSoft:

• ExamSoft, as used for the UPLAE, has two applications: Exemplify and ExamMonitor. Test-takers need to install these applications at least 48 hours before the exam.
• Exemplify will allow examinees to securely take examinations offline on a Mac or Windows computer (desktop or laptop).
• Exemplify will automatically turn off access to files, programs, and the internet during the exam.
• ExamMonitor will observe students during the exam using video and audio monitoring. It will red-flag any movement or sound that may compromise the integrity of the exam.
• Internet is only needed when downloading the encrypted exam file before the exam day and uploading the completed exam.

Since UP Collge of Law has piloted this innovation, other law schools, especially those law programs under state universities and colleges (and possibly PhiLSAT), are expected to follow suit.

All first-hand buyers of the UPLAE and PhiLSAT 2-in-1 Reviewer will have access to free after-sales support delivered online. Specifically, our team offers the following:

1. Free online mock UPLAE and PhiLSAT (unofficial)
2. Free simulation of the pre-law online course program (unofficial)

As a disclaimer, the content is different from the official UPLAE or PhiLSAT and pre-LAE online course. Visit www.uplae.com.ph/mock-exam to register and to know more about the free after-sales support. Terms and conditions apply. Join the FB group for updates.