The February exam's new hybrid format faced widespread technical and logistical issues
Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero announced during her annual "State of the Judiciary" address that the California Supreme Court will heighten its supervision of the state's bar admissions process following a problematic rollout of the February bar exam.
The February exam, which debuted a hybrid in-person and remote format without components of the national bar exam used for decades, faced widespread technical and logistical failures. Reuters reported that many test takers encountered issues logging in, computer crashes, and inconsistent proctoring. A non-functional copy-and-paste feature and security lapses hindered others.
The State Bar of California, responsible for administering the exam, has launched an independent investigation into the failures. Among the 4,300 test takers, some seek remedies such as automatic score adjustments or diploma privileges, allowing them to practice law without passing the bar. Three test takers have also filed a proposed class action lawsuit, alleging that exam vendor Meazure Learning failed to provide a functioning test platform despite prior warnings. The company has not yet commented on the allegations.
In a statement, Guerrero highlighted the bar exam's profound impact on candidates' lives, emphasizing that the additional stress, frustration, and anxiety caused by the exam's failures were unacceptable.
Guerrero stated that the Supreme Court will consider strengthening the Committee of Bar Examiners, which advises on lawyer admissions but whose authority has diminished in recent years. The court is exploring whether to restore oversight of the bar exam's budget and administration to the committee.
Brandon Stallings, chair of the State Bar Board of Trustees, supported greater oversight. "The Supreme Court's interest in clarifying the role of the Committee of Bar Examiners will help us move forward effectively, efficiently, and transparently," Stallings said.
The transition to a hybrid exam was initially driven by the State Bar's financial concerns, with expectations of saving up to US$3.8 million annually by reducing the need for large testing venues. However, the upcoming July 2025 bar exam will now be conducted entirely in person, following a directive from the Supreme Court. February examinees who failed or withdrew before the test can retake the exam at no cost.
