The JD-Next law school admissions exam is facing scrutiny over issues related to its reliability, validity and accessibility, according to Law.com. Numerous comments have been submitted in response to calls from the American Bar Association (ABA) and its council on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
Close to two dozen comments were received pertaining to the JD-Next exam, including those from various Black and Native American professionals who support its use. However, the feedback points to the need for substantial scrutiny on aspects of the exam such as its validity, reliability, and accommodation for examinees with disabilities. One commenter emphasized the necessity to address “significant issues related to the security, integrity, scalability, and accommodations available.”
The comments were solicited during an unusual move on January 16 when the ABA’s council opened a 30-day period for notice and comment regarding a report it had commissioned to probe the reliability and validity of JD-Next as an admissions test for law schools. This insightful action stems from a growing recognition that continuous validation of the testing process is an essential aspect of maintaining the standards of legal education.
Certainly, with the complexity of issues raised, the council’s analysis of these comments, and the subsequent potential action, represents a significant moment for the future of the JD-Next exam, and more broadly, the landscape of law school admissions.