When Kafka wrote Earlier than the Legislation, he meant to explain the surreal hellscape of standing “earlier than” the legislation, not the surreal hellscape of candidates “earlier than” they turn into attorneys. But the powers-that-be have reworked the February administration of the California bar examination right into a farce that will make Kafka blush. Beset with nightmarish twists and turns all through the method and with the examination’s begin date looming on February 25, the Bar has provided full refunds to all 5,600 candidates out of an abundance of generosity/determined necessity.
This unprecedented transfer comes after a number of blunders left test-takers bewildered on the prospect of staking their profession on an examination that resembled constructing an airplane mid-flight besides the airplane is a Boeing and it’s taking path from Trump’s air site visitors controllers.
From scheduling nightmares to damaged follow exams to a dearth of accessible take a look at facilities, the Bar’s partnership with Meazure Studying has left loads to be desired. Because the state bar examiners put it of their refund e-mail, the expertise has generated quite a lot of “frustration, confusion, and anxiousness.”
We’re extraordinarily sorry for the way the administration of the February 2025 Bar Examination has been rolling out. We perceive that scheduling challenges, poor communication, and inconsistent messaging between the State Bar and Meazure Studying have brought on quite a lot of frustration, confusion, and anxiousness. Consequently, we’re providing all candidates who want to withdraw from the February examination a full refund (much less financial institution charges). To qualify, you have to withdraw earlier than the examination by submitting your request to withdraw via the Applicant Portal. We all know many candidates would not have the choice of withdrawing, and we’re dedicated to creating the examination the very best expertise we will.
Leah Wilson, the Bar’s govt director, pledged to “enhance our communication with take a look at takers instantly.” Apparently this e-mail blast marked the opening gesture of this new period.
Every part about this course of has been cursed. California obtained so far after its bar examination lurched into the crimson and relatively than swiftly plotting out a sleek transition, detractors held up the prospect of reform till the eleventh hour. Truthfully, the choice to make use of questions from Kaplan Examination Providers and provide a number of, extra handy amenities and distant administration is a fairly good one! The NCBE’s antiquated necessities had been inconvenient for candidates and solely succeeded in making the ostensible non-profit very, very wealthy and the brand new regime promised to save lots of upwards of $4 million yearly. As a substitute, making an attempt to drive the change in a matter of months to satisfy the February examination resulted in a number of disasters together with a projected price range overrun — with an anticipated further million required for the upcoming July take a look at.
The Bar’s provide of an $830 refund (minus financial institution charges, naturally) serves as a becoming coda to this tragicomedy. However deferring the examination isn’t an choice for a lot of candidates who must cross this take a look at to maintain their jobs. For these of us, the examiners provide extra follow questions, a number of extra testing places, and importantly a redline of the Pupil Information so everybody can simply work out the place the principles have modified midstream.
Sometime, California’s new look bar examination will ship stable ends in a handy and cost-effective method. That day, nonetheless, shouldn’t be at this time.
Joe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Legislation and co-host of Pondering Like A Lawyer. Be happy to e-mail any ideas, questions, or feedback. Observe him on Twitter or Bluesky for those who’re involved in legislation, politics, and a wholesome dose of faculty sports activities information. Joe additionally serves as a Managing Director at RPN Govt Search.
