Washington Just Called Off Its Entire Bar Exam

Key Points:

• Washington State's first administration of the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam was canceled after severe technical failures prevented any examinees from starting the test, with over 600 candidates unable to connect to the exam software due to network bandwidth issues.
• After hours of failed attempts to resolve internet problems at the Yakima convention center, the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) canceled both days of the exam, offering affected applicants options to retake the exam in September or February 2027, or withdraw for a refund.
• The cancellation disrupted examinees' careers and finances, forcing many to extend travel plans without compensation and delaying start dates for jobs or clerkships, while causing significant emotional distress.
• The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) downplayed the issue, stating the NextGen exam performed as expected in most jurisdictions, attributing Washington’s failure to site-specific bandwidth problems beyond their control.
• This incident highlights ongoing challenges with bar exam technology, echoing previous high-profile failures in California and raising calls for alternative licensing solutions like diploma privilege during crises.