California to administer bar exam online in October

The California Supreme Court announced on Thursday that the passing score for the California Bar Exam has been lowered permanently, they also have intentions of administering the test online in October.

The court’s letter to State Bar of California trustees includes the following:

• The California Bar Exam will be administered online on October 5-6;
• The court directed the State Bar to extend registration for the October exam through July 24;
• The court permanently lowered the passing score from 1440 to 1390;
• The court directed the State Bar to expedite creation of a provisional licensure program under supervision to 2020 law school graduates—effective until they can take and pass a California bar exam, and expiring no later than June 1, 2022.

"The changing circumstances surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in California, and throughout the country, have had an unprecedented impact on professional licensure testing for graduates seeking admission to many professions," the court wrote in its letter. "Many law school graduates are being substantially affected by the resulting disruption."

Ten other jurisdictions will hold online bar exams between Oct. 5-6, including Arizona, Washington D.C., Kentucky, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.