During a recent online meeting, members of the Law School Council expressed growing frustration over the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the content and format of future California bar exams. This ambiguity is causing significant concern among both students and faculty, who are seeking clarity to better prepare for upcoming assessments.
The State Bar of California has been exploring various options for the bar exam’s future structure. In January 2026, the Board of Trustees and the Committee of Bar Examiners considered adopting the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE) starting in 2028, potentially without a California-specific component. They also discussed the possibility of returning to questions developed by Kaplan Exam Services. These deliberations aim to address challenges and criticisms that arose from the February 2025 California Bar Examination. ([calbar.ca.gov](https://www.calbar.ca.gov/news/board-and-cbe-approve-options-2028-bar-exam?utm_source=openai))
The February 2025 exam faced significant technical and logistical issues. Candidates reported difficulties securing in-person testing slots due to a shortage of designated test centers, leading to extensive travel and added stress. Additionally, the online testing platform experienced system crashes and proctoring disruptions, further complicating the examination process. ([jdjournal.com](https://www.jdjournal.com/2025/02/19/california-bar-exam-faces-unprecedented-challenges-refunds-issued-amidst-technical-and-logistical-chaos/?utm_source=openai))
Compounding these challenges, the State Bar disclosed in April 2025 that artificial intelligence was used to develop some multiple-choice questions in the February exam. This revelation raised concerns about the appropriateness and reliability of AI-generated content in high-stakes professional evaluations. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/94777bbaca7a1473c86b651587cf80c0?utm_source=openai))
In response to these issues, the California Supreme Court approved several remedies, including expanding the Provisional License Program to allow first-time takers who failed or withdrew from the February exam to practice law under supervision. ([newsroom.courts.ca.gov](https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-supreme-court-approves-additional-bar-exam-remedies?utm_source=openai))
Despite these measures, law school leaders continue to advocate for a definitive decision on the future format of the California bar exam. They emphasize that clear guidance is essential for effective preparation and to maintain the integrity of the licensure process. The legal education community awaits further direction from the State Bar and the California Supreme Court to resolve these uncertainties.