Bar topnotcher or not? Myra Rivera Caroy says ranking doesn’t define a lawyer

September 30, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

In joining the legal profession, does it matter if one is a Bar topnotcher?

Lawyer Myra Rivera-Caroy gave her take, saying being recognized as one of the top scorers in the exams could open up more opportunities for a lawyer that are not available to other passers.

But Rivera-Caroy also said not being a topnotcher or top placer does not define a lawyer’s worth.

In a video, Rivera-Caroy said being one of the top placers could mean job offers from top law firms and corporate employers.

But she also shared a reminder that the Bar exams is only a qualifying exam, not a competition on who would turn out to be the best lawyer.

“Kapag nakapasa ka naman at natugunan mo yung requirements upang maging isang ganap na abogado, aba’y pare-parehas naman kayo na admitted to the practice of law,” she said.

She also said that in actual practice, the client does not ask for the lawyer’s ranking in the Bar.

Rivera-Caroy said that there is nothing wrong in dreaming of being a Bar topnotcher or Bar placer, but those who do not achieve this goal should take heart.

“Not being a Bar exam topnotcher or Bar placer does not make you less of a lawyer and it does not necessarily define your worth as a lawyer,” she said.