Problems With New California Bar Exam Spark Lawsuitand Enrage Test Takers
Even under normal circumstances, the California bar exam is one final harrowing hurdle before aspiring lawyers can practice.But last week was worse than any other, as they were thrown into limbo by technical glitches, delays and what many said were bizarrely written questions on a revamped test that didn’t match anything in preparation.The faulty rollout last week of the new licensing test, which was approved by the California Supreme Court in October and was touted by the state bar as a way to save money, has outraged test takers and the law school community at large, and prompted an investigation by California lawmakers and a lawsuit.“You can talk to any attorney — because they have all been through the bar experience — and they will tell you how hard it is and how stressful it is to go through the bar exam,” said Erwin Chemerinsky, the dean of the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.
“To have to then take it again because of the incompetence of the bar is inexcusable,” said Mr.Chemerinsky, who had raised concerns along with other law school deans about the new exam before it was approved.The botched exam, which is administered digitally, has left test takers in a bind that puts their career aspirations and personal finances in jeopardy.
Many took weeks off work and missed time with family — and have job offers contingent on passing the February exam.“I just kind of feel ripped off,” said Zack Defazio-Farrell, who took the exam last week.He added: “You spend a lot of money preparing.
You spend a lot of time not making money.And this happens.”Test takers reported a range of technological problems over the course of the two-day exam, which on Day 1 included five one-hour essay sessions and a 90-minute section that assesses the ability to carry out legal tasks, and on Day 2 involved 200 multiple choice questions over the course of four 90-minute sessions.
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