Bar Exam

Law firms shouldn’t overlook value of soft skills

Soft skills do not get much attention in law firms. That was my experience when I was practicing in small, medium and larger firms, and it still is the case today.

Mar 7, 2019 6:30 AM CST

ABA legal ed council delays decision on stricter bar-passage standards

The ABA’s legal education council has delayed a decision on whether to implement a stricter bar passage standard for accredited law schools, prolonging a yearslong debate of the hot-button issue.

Feb 22, 2019 7:54 PM CST

Legal ed groups ask ABA for more transparency while awaiting possible changes to bar passage standard

Two legal education groups have asked that the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar increase transparency and collaboration in its decision-making.

Feb 22, 2019 4:28 PM CST

Why can’t you bring mechanical pencils to the LSAT? Blame test-taking tricksters

Attorney licensing exams are not immune from cheating, says James Wollack, an educational psychology professor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison whose research includes test security. In fact, the first time he was asked to analyze exam result data to see whether it supported test fraud, it was for a Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination.

Feb 13, 2019 2:46 PM CST

Last InfiLaw school seeks nonprofit status from ABA’s legal ed section

The Florida Coastal School of Law, one of the three for-profit InfiLaw campuses that sued the American Bar Association regarding accreditation matters, and the only one that has not closed or is in the process of closing, is now seeking nonprofit status. Notice of the law school’s application for substantive…

Feb 6, 2019 12:30 PM CST

ABA House of Delegates rejects changes to the bar passage standard for law schools

For the second time, the ABA House of Delegates voted against a proposal to tighten a bar passage rate standard for accredited law schools. At the ABA Midyear Meeting in Las Vegas on Monday, House members were asked to stand for a vote count, and the final vote was 88 in favor of the resolution, and 334 opposed.

Jan 28, 2019 6:07 PM CST

Should the ABA change bar passage standards for law schools?

In the days before the ABA House of Delegates revisits a proposed standard revision to tighten bar passage requirements for accredited law schools, some say an in-depth diversity study should precede any changes made. Language for the proposed revision to Standard 316—which calls for a bar passage rate of at…

Jan 24, 2019 12:14 PM CST

Atlanta’s John Marshall placed on probation for noncompliance with program, admissions standards

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School has been placed on probation by the council of the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar as of Dec. 13. According to the probation notice posted online, the law school is out of compliance with Standards 301(a) and 309(b), which deal…

Dec 14, 2018 11:48 AM CST

California Supreme Court waiting for study results before revisiting bar exam cut score

While describing the outcome of the July 2018 California bar exam—which had a 40.7 percent pass rate—as “frightening,” California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye said on Tuesday the state court is waiting for the results of two related studies before revisiting consideration of the test’s cut score. One is…

Dec 12, 2018 11:39 AM CST

Indiana commission to examine bar exam cut score; California asked to take ‘fresh look’ at its exam

Following a July 2018 bar exam pass rate of 65 percent, the Indiana Supreme Court has assembled a special commission to review the test’s format and content and consider whether the cut score should be changed.

Dec 6, 2018 11:17 AM CST

Law school grad sues hotel for $100M after discovering she was secretly videotaped in shower

A law school graduate has filed a $100 million lawsuit that claims she was secretly taped with a hidden camera while taking a shower at a hotel where she was staying during the New York bar exam. The plaintiff, identified only as “Jane Doe” in the lawsuit, is a law…

Dec 6, 2018 8:15 AM CST

Lowest bar pass rate for California in 67 years; other states see drop, too

Only 40.7 percent of the people who took the California July 2018 bar exam passed, according to a state bar news release.

Nov 19, 2018 9:23 AM CST

ABA legal ed council sends bar-passage standard back to House of Delegates

Paperwork for the ABA’s House of Delegates to again consider a proposed revision of the bar passage standard for law school accreditation has been submitted, said Barry Currier, director of accreditation and legal education, on Friday at a council meeting for the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the…

Nov 16, 2018 4:04 PM CST

New York state bar exam results released, pass rate has dropped

Out of 9,679 people who sat for the July 2018 New York state bar exam, 63 percent passed.

Oct 23, 2018 2:47 PM CDT

Average national Multistate Bar Exam score sinks to lowest level since ‘84

The national average for the July 2018 Multistate Bar Examination slumped to 139.5—its lowest level in 34 years, according to TaxProf Blog editor Paul Caron and Law.com.

Sep 17, 2018 3:58 PM CDT