Technology has permeated almost every aspect of the legal field. Most of our research is conducted online through Westlaw or Lexis. In many jurisdictions, lawyers have the option of e-filing court documents. Trial lawyers are discovering that technology can enhance their courtroom performance and drastically impact the way that juries perceive cases. Law firms use technology in all aspects of their practice.

So when will we finally see the computerization of the bar exam?

Using advanced programs such as ExamSoft?s SofTest, law schools across the country are allowing students to take final exams on computers. With such advanced technology, concerns regarding security are no longer major issues. The Patent Bar has now changed to being entirely administered on computers, thus allowing for rolling exam dates. Students enroll to take the Patent Bar and then go to a computer testing center within 90 days of their enrollment to take the exam.

For those students who still have to ?fill in the bubbles? on their bar exams and hand write their essays, the light at the end of the tunnel is finally visible. Last February, fifteen jurisdictions across the country used SofTest or similar programs to administer the essay portion of the bar exam. For some of these jurisdictions February was a ?test run? to evaluate the benefits of offering the bar exam on computers. For other jurisdictions, such as California, accommodating students who wish to take the bar on computers is old news. But the tide has definitely shifted. And by the looks of it, one day in the very near future bar exams in every jurisdiction will be offered on a computer.

To see if your state offers a portion of the bar exam on computers, click here.