The California Supreme Court has officially given the green light for a new, redesigned bar exam, scheduled to debut in February 2024. This marks a significant shift for the state’s attorney licensing process, which will now allow aspiring lawyers to take the exam either remotely or in-person at designated test centers. With the court’s approval, California becomes the first jurisdiction to break away from the traditional bar exam developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
The new test, which has been in development for over 15 months, is projected to save the California Bar up to $3.8 million annually by utilizing smaller, more cost-effective testing locations. The state bar has been facing a fiscal crisis, and officials believe the new approach will reduce administrative expenses.
A key feature of the revamped exam includes a score boost for candidates who opt to participate in a beta test scheduled for next month and perform well. This incentive aims to gather additional data to ensure the exam’s effectiveness before its official launch on February 25 and 26, 2024.
Brandon Stallings, chair of the State Bar of California’s Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude to the California Supreme Court for its approval, calling it a “decisive action” in modernizing the state’s bar exam. The exam, designed by Kaplan North America, has encountered some hurdles, including a prior rejection by the court in September due to procedural concerns. Kaplan, known for its bar exam prep courses, has agreed to stop offering test prep services in California as part of the development deal.
While the new exam promises cost savings and flexibility, some skepticism remains. Fifteen law school deans raised concerns in a letter to the court last month, urging officials to delay the implementation, citing doubts about whether the test would be fully prepared by the February launch date.
Despite these concerns, California’s decision to move forward signals a bold departure from the norm and sets a precedent for other states as the legal profession continues to evolve.
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