Quote Originally Posted by TinCow View Post
The Summer 2003 Virginia State Bar Exam destroyed people. There were NO questions on Criminal Law or Criminal Procedure, and only half a question on Civil Procedure. At the same time, there was one full question on Commercial Paper and half a question on Secured Transactions (or vice versa, I can't remember exactly anymore). So, the stuff everyone had studied wasn't even asked, and the stuff no one had studied accounted for nearly 20% of the essay score. There was much anguish, and the failure rate jumped by a good 10 to 15%. It was a bad year for a lot of people. Fortunately, three days before the exam, Scienter and I decided that, even though we had been advised not to bother with Commercial Paper and Secured Transactions, we would study them anyway 'just in case.' So, we passed without any problems.
The people in my row were probably a little annoyed at my short happy dance when I saw the commercial paper question. One of the people at my table didn't even come back for the second day of the test. So glad I never have to do that again!

Quote Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit View Post
Sounds like a silly way to test.
Yup. It also has absolutely nothing with one's ability to practice law. It's simply an exercise to show how well you can memorize a ton of information and regurgitate it.

Even more ridiculous: in Virginia, there is a dress code for the Bar exam. We had to wear suits because we're supposed to dress as if we were going to argue in court. But, women were prohibited from wearing high heels because they're too noisy, so most the women were wearing suits and sneakers. Women weren't allowed to wear pantsuits to take the Bar until the end of the 1990s! Also, no one could bring bags in with them unless they were clear zip lock bags. So everyone could see people's medications, tampons/pads, and other private items that are normally concealed in a purse or backpack.