An influential California legislator is urging the State Bar of California to abandon its new multiple-choice questions and return to the traditional bar exam format for the upcoming July test. This push follows a chaotic rollout of the new exam in February, which was marked by numerous technical issues and complaints from test takers.
Senator Thomas J. Umberg, who chairs the state Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed his concerns, stating that the failure of the February exam calls for a return to the established testing methods that have been in place for the last 50 years. He emphasized that the priority should be to ensure a fair and effective examination process for aspiring lawyers.
Typically, thousands of candidates take the two-day bar exam in July. The State Bar had introduced the new exam format this year as a way to cut costs and allow for remote testing. However, the implementation was met with significant backlash due to the problems encountered during the February exam, including technical glitches and poorly constructed questions.
Alex Chan, chair of the Committee of Bar Examiners, indicated that reverting to the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) exam was unlikely. He pointed out that the NCBE’s exam security protocols do not permit remote testing, which many applicants have expressed a desire to retain.
After the February exam fiasco, the California Supreme Court directed the State Bar to prepare for an in-person exam for July. Although the court has not mandated a return to the NCBE system, the issues with the new multiple-choice questions, including typos and ambiguous answers, have raised serious concerns.
The State Bar recently drew criticism for hiring ACS Ventures, a psychometrician, to develop some exam questions using artificial intelligence. This decision has sparked outrage among legal experts and test takers, who argue that relying on AI for such a critical assessment undermines the integrity of the exam.
Umberg and other critics have called for accountability and transparency in the State Bar’s operations. He plans to examine the leadership of the State Bar and the steps taken since the February exam to prevent future issues. The upcoming Senate Judiciary Committee hearing will address these concerns and review proposed legislation aimed at enhancing oversight of the State Bar.
In response to the turmoil, the State Bar announced it would seek adjustments to the scores of those who took the February exam. However, many remain skeptical about the Bar’s ability to conduct a fair and reliable test moving forward.
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that the July bar exam is conducted smoothly and effectively, giving candidates the fair opportunity they deserve.