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California Bar Adopts New Scoring Method, 230 February Exam Takers Now Pass

The Supreme Court is evaluating a plan to let applicants who still failed practice under attorney supervision.

In this July 14, 2010, file photo, gavels and law books are shown in the office of California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George at his office in San Francisco, California.
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Overview

  • The Committee of Bar Examiners will apply the higher of two scores for each written answer rather than averaging, resulting in 230 examinees moving from fail to pass.
  • The exam’s overall pass rate jumped from 56 percent to 63 percent following the adjustment, nearly double the state’s typical rate.
  • California’s first hybrid bar exam encountered internet outages, proctor interruptions and accommodation breakdowns, leading to multiple lawsuits and the State Bar’s suit against administrator Meazure Learning.
  • Resolving the technical problems and preparing for July’s administration is expected to add nearly $6 million in costs, erasing projected savings.
  • The State Bar has asked the California Supreme Court to extend a pandemic-era provisional licensure program to February exam takers, and some trustees warn the measures could undermine candidate vetting.