Bar Exam Policies

Bar Exam Policies and Forms

Washington State Bar Association Bar Exam Security Policy

This Bar Exam Security Policy is designed for the consideration of all applicants and to prevent cheating. The permissions and restrictions apply to the actual exam room. There is a non-secure area at the exam site for applicants to stow personal belongings. However, applicants leave items there at their own risk; the WSBA and the testing facility are not responsible for the loss or theft of any items.
If you have prohibited items in the exam room, you may be required to leave the exam without finishing and/or the items may be confiscated and placed in the non-secure area.

Items permitted without plastic bag:

Laptop computer (for those applicants registered with Examsoft); includes power cord and extra battery only. Laptop cases are not allowed. MEE/MPT day only
Wrist watch (without active alarm or programmable capability)
Jacket or coat (without a hood)
Beverages in Convention Center-supplied cups only

Generally, only those items necessary for the exam are permitted in the exam room. Applicants must put permitted items in a clear quart size plastic bag unless otherwise stated below; applicants should not carry any items in their pockets. There is a limit of two bags.

Items permitted in a clear quart size plastic bag (limit 2 bags):

Wallets, ID, Credit Cards, Money
Pens, correction tape – MEE/MPT day only
Two (2) No. 2 pencils will be provided on MBE day only
Small foam earplugs (no neck cords allowed)
Tissues
Feminine hygiene products
Medication in pill form; eye drops
Commercially sealed individual size food portions (e.g., candy bar, granola bar, power bar) - for breaks only; no eating during the exam.

Items NOT permitted in the exam room

Headwear, including: caps, hats, hoods, hoodies, costume headgear, scarves, and headbands wide enough to cover the ears
Bags, including: backpacks, purses, book bags, tote bags, luggage, laptop cases
Books, notebooks, review materials
External keyboards and computer mouse
Paper of any kind
Electronic devices, including: cell phones, pagers, PDA/PEDs, calculators, cameras, iPods, iPads, notebooks, MP3 players, blue tooth devices, handheld computers—even if turned off
Headsets or headphones of any kind
Table top time-keeping devices such as clocks, alarm clocks
External storage devices, including: CDs, DVDs, flash drives, USB drives
Water bottles, thermoses, coffee mugs, etc. (Coffee, water and cups are provided at the exam site)
Gloves
Weapons of any kind

Note: Please be sensitive to others and try to avoid wearing perfume or cologne or heavily scented soap, hair products and the like.

Prohibited Behaviors

The following conduct is prohibited at the UBE testing centers:

Bringing unauthorized devices (whether turned on or off) or unauthorized materials into the testing room
Removing or attempting to remove test materials or information, including test questions or answers, or unauthorized items from the testing room during any scheduled or unscheduled break or at the conclusion of the testing period
Looking at another examinee’s test booklet or answer sheet
Giving or receiving assistance on the exam
Using any device to share or exchange information
Creating a disturbance
Continuing the work after the presiding officer has instructed examinees to stop writing or typing
Use of smokeless tobacco during the exam

Note: Seating card and ID is required to enter the exam room. Do not write on either side of your seating card.

Items permitted with special permission

For good cause shown, applicants may be permitted to bring otherwise prohibited items into the exam room. All requests must be made online using the special request tool at least 18 days prior to the first day of the exam. All requests must be supported (if applicable) by a doctor’s note. Examples of items are: pillows/lumbar supports, ergonomic chairs, book stand, wrist rest, medication taken by injection, external keyboard or mouse, and religious headgear.

Laptop Policy and Registration (for essay portion only)

You are permitted to use your laptop computer for the MPT/MEE if you follow the required procedures. The WSBA contracts with ExamSoft Worldwide, Inc., using software called SofTest. You may use a PC or Mac laptop. The minimum operating requirements for a PC or Mac laptop are on the ExamSoft website. Prior to the Softest registration period, Examsoft will send all laptop applicants, an email which contains the applicant's username and password along with instructions on how to download Softest. Please be sure to have a valid email address on record with the WSBA Admissions Office.

To use a laptop for the exam, you must:

Register directly with ExamSoft during the specified registration period using your WSBA Applicant ID number (which you will receive in your Acknowledgement Letter);
Pay the $134.50 fee directly to ExamSoft;
Download SofTest onto the laptop you will use during the exam;
Follow all instructions from ExamSoft.

You are required to purchase and download Softest from Examsoft for each separate exam even if you have used it in the past (e.g., law school, repeating the bar exam, etc.). The Examsoft registration period is listed on the Bar Exam Application and Deadline Schedule. We strongly encourage all applicants to take the mock exam. Softest does not have spellcheck and there is no character count limits. We recommend that you back up your answers on either a CD or a flash drive. The applicant assumes the responsibility for any computer equipment left overnight or any equipment failure. The ExamSoft website tells you how to register, pay for, and download SofTest.

Note: All applicants, whether handwriting or using laptops for the MPT and the MEE, will be seated in the same room.

Hand-writing Policy

You may hand-write the exam rather than using a laptop.

You must use blue or black ink.
You may use an erasable pen, but we recommend against it, because they can cause smearing.
It is your responsibility to make sure you have enough working pens to finish the exam.
It is important that your answers be legible.
You may use white-out or correction tape.
If answers are not legible, the applicant's results will be delayed and the applicant may be required to cover the cost to have them transcribed.

Note: All applicants, whether hand-writing or using laptops, will be seated in the same room. MEE answer sheets are 2 pages and answers can be written on both front and back. MPT answer sheets are 3 pages and answers can be written on both front and back. 2 sheets of scratch paper will be provided for both the MEE and MPT.

Address Change Policy

The last address you provide to the Washington State Bar Association is used on all correspondence. You are required to have an email address in order to access the online application site. Email will be the WSBA's primary communication method with you.

If your address or email address changes, you must change it using the online admissions system. You will not be granted any exceptions for missed deadlines due to outdated contact information.

Withdraw Policy

If you are unable to attend the examination after having registered you may withdraw and receive a partial refund. You must make your request to withdraw online no later than 18 days before the exam date.

Your application fee includes a $300 non-refundable processing fee. If you submit a request to withdraw at least 18 days before the first day of the exam, you will receive a refund of the application fee you paid less:

the non-refundable $300 processing fee;
any investigation costs incurred by the WSBA (including the investigation fee paid to the National Conference of Bar Examiners); and
any late filing fees paid.

If you do not show up, you forfeit all fees.

Change in Exam Method Policy

If you want to change your exam-taking method for the essay portion, you must change your method online no later than 18 days prior to the exam.

WSBA Washington State Bar Association

Bar Exam Policies

Important policies to understand for the bar exam.