The California Bar Exam is one of the most challenging and prestigious exams in the country, with thousands of aspiring lawyers vying for a passing score each year. However, recent changes to the exam have sparked controversy and outrage among test takers, leading to a lawsuit against the State Bar of California.
The problems with the new California Bar Exam began when the State Bar decided to switch from a three-day exam to a two-day exam in July 2017. This change was made in an effort to streamline the exam and make it more efficient, but many test takers felt that it only added to the already intense pressure of the exam.
One of the main issues with the new format is the decrease in the number of essays that test takers are required to write. Previously, the exam consisted of six essays and two performance tests over three days. However, the new format only requires test takers to write five essays and one performance test over two days. This reduction in required writing has left many test takers feeling unprepared and disadvantaged.
Another problem with the new exam is the lack of transparency in the grading process. Test takers have reported receiving wildly inconsistent scores, with some failing despite feeling confident in their performance. This has led to accusations of bias and unfair grading practices, further fueling the backlash against the new exam format.
In response to these issues, a group of test takers has filed a lawsuit against the State Bar of California, alleging that the new exam format is arbitrary, capricious, and violates their rights. The lawsuit seeks to have the new exam format declared invalid and to have the State Bar return to the previous three-day format.
The controversy surrounding the new California Bar Exam highlights the challenges and frustrations that test takers face in their quest to become licensed attorneys. As the lawsuit against the State Bar moves forward, it remains to be seen whether the exam will be changed back to its previous format or if test takers will have to continue to navigate the difficulties of the new format. One thing is clear – the problems with the new California Bar Exam are not going away anytime soon.