From Essay to Multiple Choice: What is your take on the changes in the Philippine BAR Exams?

I'm sure you have already heard that starting in 2011, the Philippine Bar Exams will be changing from a purely essay type of exam to a 60-40 division of Multiple Choice type of exam and essay. The change came about to much surprise of the whole student body as essay and multiple choice kinds of exams are very different. Some differences would be the shorter time to check the exams. Multiple choice exams are easier to check and will give the result after only a short time. Much like the way we voted last election, the exam will just be inserted in the machine and then your grade or score will immediately be available. The drawback for this would be that one wrong shade or shading an answer will result in the machine not registering your selection. Also, having multiple choice will limit the chance to be able to defend your answers. It will only be one of two options, either it is correct or it is wrong. There will be no points for effort. Surely the 2011 takers are already worried and tense about this. It is still a year away, but as we draw closer to the BAR exams of 2011, what are your views on the change in exam format? Do you think this is better than the traditional exams? Let's hear your thoughts! Post them in the comment section and let's discuss. :)