"Most facilities that offer standardized tests have canceled test dates or offered remote testing as COVID-19 cases rise. But two major tests are still offered only in-person.
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and some states’ bar exams require sit-down testing in rooms that can have hundreds of people, even in coronavirus hot spots.
The exams serve as high-stakes gateways for two of the country’s most prestigious, highest-pressure and lucrative fields: They determine who gets into medical school and whether law school graduates can be cleared to become attorneys.
Tests are typically held in-person to prevent cheating and protect the integrity of the exams. For test takers, in-person exams mean a decision between caution, as coronavirus cases in the USA surpass 4.1 million, and achieving what for some has been a lifelong dream." …
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/07/27/mcat-and-bar-exams-not-offered-students-online-despite-covid/5445496002/
In Colorado they changed the bar exam to 3 locations instead of one big one and of course still put in a lot of extra protections. There was still a lot of complaining that the instate students should be waived in, but that is only going to be temporary. They are putting off taking the exam until February, when they will have to sit in a crowded room during cold and flu season. It really wasn’t that crowded when I took it (although I did get lucky and the person assigned next to me didn’t show up).
They don’t want to take the exam, but want to be licensed to immediately meet with clients, represent them in court, go to group meetings, etc. Aren’t they worried about being exposed then? I think the new locations (two law schools and another setting in a low exposure area) can set up safe conditions.
All of this is great news for Wisconsin law schools (Univ. of Wisconsin & Marquette) because grads do not have to take a bar exam in order to join the Wisconsin State Bar.
Why is it news at all for Wisconsin lawyers? That’s always been the case. And, if those Wisconsin people go somewhere else, they have to take the bar and can’t waive in.