Silver Linings: Moving Forward After the February 2025 California Attorney’s Exam
The February 2025 California Attorney’s Bar Examination was intended to mark a new chapter in the State Bar’s long-term evolution of the licensing process. Unfortunately, for many applicants, this exam became memorable for all the wrong reasons. Widespread reports of technical problems and disruptions made the already demanding test day far more stressful than it should have been.
At Executive Bar Review, we work exclusively with out-of-state attorneys preparing for the California Attorney’s Exam. Many of our clients experienced firsthand the frustrations of this administration. We’ve been in close communication with them throughout the aftermath—and we understand their concerns.
And yet, despite the frustration, we believe there is reason for optimism.
After extensive analysis, the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) acknowledged the extent to which technical issues disrupted many examinees’ ability to fully complete or submit their written responses. To ensure fairness, they approved a scoring adjustment based on psychometric imputation—a statistical method used to fairly estimate written scores for eligible test takers whose performance may have been negatively impacted by exam-day problems.
These measures were not hastily made They were data-driven, professionally guided, and—most importantly—focused on ensuring that no qualified attorney is unfairly penalized because of testing conditions.
For those who choose (or need) to retake the Attorney’s Exam, the July 2025 administration presents a new opportunity—with the benefit of experience, better preparation, and lessons learned by the State Bar. The CBE and their psychometric consultants have already demonstrated their ability to respond with agility and fairness. We expect a more stable, reliable test environment this summer.
At Executive Bar Review, we’re preparing now to support our July candidates with even greater focus. Whether you’re sitting for the first time or returning after February’s disrupted exam, we are here to help you succeed—with a program specifically tailored for attorneys and a faculty experienced in the California bar exam’s evolving format.
If February tested your patience, July can prove your resilience.
