SALT Raises Questions for States Considering Adoption of the Uniform Bar Exam

During the week of January 18, 2010, SALT is distributing a memorandum SALT RAISES QUESTIONS FOR STATES CONSIDERING ADOPTION OF A UNIFORM BAR EXAM to deans, state bar examiners, state bar presidents, and members of the Congressional Judiciary Committees raising issues to consider when debating adoption of the Uniform Bar Exam. 

“There are many positive aspects to a Uniform Bar Exam, including its ability to ensure essay test questions are reliable, and the portability of bar exam scores so that lawyers can more easily move from state to state.  There also are many questions that this proposal raises.  Amongst those are the following.  Is the adoption of such an exam only an interim measure toward developing a better licensing exam that tests a wider range of skills and qualities new lawyers need?  Will this new exam have a negative impact on the diversity of the profession?  Are there ways to ensure that this does not happen?  Will the adoption of a Uniform Bar Exam as presently constructed justify law schools’ decisions to retain the status quo rather than to engage in the development of innovative law school pedagogy, assessment and curricular changes that enhance the integration of doctrine, skills and professionalism?  These are questions SALT urges states to consider if and when they discuss the potential adoption of a Uniform Bar Exam.”

Download a PDF of the SALT Statement.