New York Courts’ Committee To Hold Public Hearings on Bar Exam
4.22.2025
The advisory committee appointed by the New York Court of Appeals will hold three public hearings in May to hear testimony on how the bar exam should test knowledge of New York practice and procedure.
In New York, the NextGen Exam is replacing the Uniform Bar Exam in July of 2028, and the court is examining whether the New York Law Exam, a two-hour open-book multiple choice test that is required for admission to the bar in New York, should be discontinued or replaced.
The Court of Appeals’ notice says the committee will advise the court of its conclusion in September. The public hearings will be held virtually on:
May 5: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
May 13: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 20: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In addition to soliciting testimony about the New York Law Exam, the committee is seeking information on the impact that a different licensing requirement would have on bar exam preparation and law school curriculum. The committee is also asking for testimony on the adoption of new Continuing Legal Education requirements in conjunction with changes to the bar exam. While the notice suggests some topics that would be of interest to the committee, it notes that the list is not exhaustive.
The committee will consider oral testimony and written submissions. All testimony is by invitation only. If you are interested in being invited to testify at the hearing, send an email to NYBEpublichearings@nycourts.gov no later than 10 days in advance of the hearing. Proposed testimony should not exceed 10 minutes in length or 10 written pages.
