The California Supreme Court will intensify its oversight of the state’s lawyer admissions process following widespread technical failures during the February bar exam, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero announced during her annual State of the Judiciary address.
The February test marked the state’s first hybrid bar exam, conducted both in person and remotely, without the use of national bar exam components that California had relied on for decades. However, the rollout was plagued by severe technical and logistical issues, leaving many test takers unable to log in, facing extended delays, computer crashes, and security lapses. Additional problems included dysfunctional exam functions, such as a non-working copy-and-paste feature, and unprofessional proctoring that disrupted candidates.
The State Bar of California, which administered the exam, has since commissioned an independent investigation into the failures. Meanwhile, some of the approximately 4,300 test takers are demanding remedies, ranging from automatic score increases to diploma privileges that would allow them to bypass the licensing exam altogether. In addition, three test takers have filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against exam vendor Meazure Learning, alleging that the company failed to provide a functioning test platform despite warnings about technical issues. Meazure Learning has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Calls for Reform and Accountability
Chief Justice Guerrero acknowledged the significant impact of the exam failures on law graduates, stating, “It is literally life-changing for many students. The additional stress, frustration, and anxiety faced by some examinees is inexcusable.”
State Bar Board of Trustees Chair Brandon Stallings welcomed potential reforms, stating that the agency is open to guidance from the Supreme Court and other stakeholders on how to improve bar admissions and exam administration.
Guerrero noted that the high court will consider restoring greater authority to the State Bar’s Committee of Bar Examiners, which has seen its role reduced in recent years. This committee traditionally makes recommendations on lawyer admission matters to the State Bar’s Board of Trustees. The court is also exploring reinstating its oversight of the bar exam’s budget and administration to prevent similar failures in the future.
Financial Challenges and Future Exam Changes
The hybrid bar exam was initially introduced to address the State Bar’s financial difficulties. By eliminating the need to rent convention centers and large venues for in-person testing, the shift was projected to save up to $3.8 million annually. However, following the Supreme Court’s decision to revert to in-person testing for the July exam, costs are now expected to rise significantly. Additionally, candidates who failed or withdrew from the February exam will be allowed to retake the July exam at no cost.
Stallings expressed optimism that the Supreme Court’s involvement in defining the Committee of Bar Examiners’ role will enable more effective, efficient, and transparent bar exam administration in the future.
