Rejoice, future California lawyers! The CA State Bar Board of Trustees just voted to scale back the state’s onerous three-day exam, said by some to be the hardest bar exam in the country, to a more comfortable two-day affair.
This isn’t an entirely unexpected development. Back in March, Excess of Democracy reported that that California was weighing a proposal to alter the test format to include one day of essays (5 one-hour essays and a 90-minute performance test) and one day of the MBE, with both days weighed equally. As noted in that post, this scales back the performance test from its previous 3-hour length. This may not make the test “easier” — indeed, California will probably shift the scoring around to maintain their famously high standards — but the process of sitting for the exam will definitely become a lot more pleasant. It also raises the possibility of California bar candidates taking a second state’s test.
News of the vote spread throughout the Twittersphere over the last hour, with the State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Committee tweeting about the unanimous vote:
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The State Bar of #California Board of Trustees vote unanimously to shorten bar exam to two days from three, beginning July 2017. #calbar
— CLA Law Practice Management & Technology Section (@CLA_LPMT) July 27, 2015
The change will take place effective July 2017, so condolences to all the rising 3Ls out there who have to sweat out another marathon session next July (and, God forbid, the following February).
We reached out to the California State Bar earlier, but they did not have anyone available to comment on such short notice. We will edit this story to include any statement they may offer.
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Meanwhile, every California lawyer should start working on their “in my day…” stories about how newly minted lawyers are soft. Those should keep everyone entertained for a few decades.
CALIFORNIA POISED TO CUT BAR EXAM FROM THREE DAYS TO TWO [Excess of Democracy]
Shortening the California Bar from Three to Two Days? [Irias Law]
Earlier: Which State Has the Most Difficult Bar Exam?
Porn Star Passes Most Difficult Bar Exam In The Country