What You Need to Know About the PhiLSAT

Note: PhiLSAT is no longer required. Please inquire directly from the law schools regarding their admission policies. Most law schools have their own Law Aptitude Examination (LAE).

To help you with your LAE prep, we have Online LAE Review Courses and LAE Reviewer. These are applicable to the entrance tests of UP and other law schools.

Our Online LAE Review Courses include a copy of the LAE Reviewer, several Online Mock LAEs, sample questions, and exercises as well as effective test-taking strategies, techniques, and shortcuts for answering the common types of LAE questions.

Our LAE Reviewer has 2 Mock LAEs, study guides, sample questions, and exercises. Students who order the reviewer directly from us will also have access to 2 Online Mock LAEs.Before you start your PhiLSAT prep, check with your law school of choice if you need to take the test. If you do, you may enroll in our PhiLSAT review program, and choose between our full and crash courses.

Learn important details about the Philippine Law School Admission Test (PhiLSAT), such as the schedule, location, coverage, format, and passing score.

1. What is the PhiLSAT?

PhiLSAT stands for Philippine Law School Admission Test. It is an aptitude test that an aspiring law student may be asked to take for admission to law school.

2. Who may take the PhiLSAT?

An aspiring law student is qualified to take the test if he or she is:

a) a graduate of a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a duly recognized higher institution in the Philippines;

b) expecting to graduate from a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a duly recognized higher institution in the Philippines at the end of the school year when the PhiLSAT will be administered; or

c) a graduate from a foreign higher education institution with a degree equivalent to a four-year bachelor's degree as certified by the Commission on Higher Education.

3. What is the coverage of the PhiLSAT?

The coverage of the PhiLSAT is almost the same as the coverage of the Law Aptitude Exam (LAE) of UP and other top law schools in the country. The following topics are included in the PhiLSAT:

a) communication and language proficiency;

b) critical thinking;

c) verbal reasoning; and

d) quantitative reasoning.

Read more about the coverage of the PhiLSAT.

4. How does an applicant register for the PhiLSAT?

An applicant is required to register online. Here are the steps:

a) Go to www.cem-inc.org.ph. Create an account.

b) Fill out the registration form, and accomplish the Student Information Questionnaire.

c) Choose the mode of payment (credit card or bank deposit).

d) Pay the testing fee of PHP1,000 thru the preferred mode of payment.

e) Wait for the email confirming registration and payment. The PhiLSAT ID form, which must be submitted on the day of the exam, will be included in the email.

5. What is the format of the PhiLSAT?

It is an aptitude test which is composed of multiple choice questions.

6. What is the passing rate for the PhiLSAT?

The passing rate is 55% or such percentile score as may be prescribed by the LEB. An examinee who passes the test will be given a Certificate of Eligibility. An examinee who fails will be given a Certificate of Grade.

7. What is the validity date of the Certificate of Eligibility?

The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is valid for two years. This must be submitted to the applicant's law school of choice.

8. How many times may an applicant take the PhiLSAT?

An applicant may take the test as many times as he or she wants.

9. When is the schedule of the PhiLSAT?

The PhiLSAT is usually administered twice a year, once in April and once in September.

10. How much is the testing fee for the PhiLSAT?

The testing fee is PHP1,000. The amount may be paid over the counter through the bank or online using a credit card.

11. Where are the testing centers for the PhiLSAT?

The testing centers are usually in the following locations:
• Metro Manila
​• Baguio City
• Legaspi City
• Cebu City
• Iloilo City
• Davao City
• Cagayan de Oro City

12. Who is exempt from taking the PhiLSAT?

To be exempt from the PhiLSAT, an applicant:
a) must have graduated with honors;
b) must have been conferred professional civil service eligibility; and
c) must be enrolling within two years from graduation.

Note that all three conditions must be satisfied in order to qualify for exemption.

If you graduated with honors, check with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) if you qualify for Honor Graduate Eligibility (HGE). If you do, then you do not need to take the civil service exam anymore. You will just need to submit some documentary requirements to the CSC.

13. Apart from the PhiLSAT, what are the other requirements for admission to law school?

Depending on its admission policy, a law school may require the PhiLSAT, an additional or supplemental test, and/or a personal interview of the applicant. Check with your law school of choice for any additional requirements.

Take note though that the PhiLSAT is not a requirement for admission to the UP College of Law.

14. How should an applicant prepare for the PhiLSAT?

The PhiLSAT is an aptitude test which covers basic subjects such as English, Logic, and Mathematics. You need to be familiar with the format of the test, the subjects covered, and the common types of questions. Read our proven and effective tips for passing the test.

Sources

LEB Facebook post
https://www.cem-inc.org.ph/philsat
http://lae.law.upd.edu.ph/faq
LEB Memorandum Order No. 7, series of 2016.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/168966-philsat-2017-results
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