Update on the Summer 2021 Baby Bar
The California “Baby Bar” or as it is more formally known, the First-Year Law Students’ Examination (“FSYLX”), is a one-day test given in June and November. The test consists of four one-hour essay questions and 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam only covers three subjects: Contracts, Criminal Law, and Torts. As it did for the November 2020 exam, the State Bar California will conduct the FYLSX under special circumstances because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The exam in June will be offered remotely.
The Baby Bar is taken by over 700 applicants. Those required to pass the First-Year Law Students’ Exam will not receive credit for any classes until he or she passes the exam. Applicants must pass the test within three consecutive attempts after becoming eligible to take the exam. Otherwise, credit will be received only for the first year of law study.
Test-takers must observe the following procedures and rules in effect for the exam:
- First, applicants must verify their identification by logging into the exam a least 15 minutes prior to the posted start time of 7:45 a.m.
- MORNING SESSION: the exam will be administered in four, one-hour sessions (one-hour per essay question). There will be a 15-minute break between each one-hour question session.
- Other than scheduled breaks for the morning session, applicants are not permitted to leave the view of their web camera unless they finish the session early and upload their answers.
- AFTERNOON SESSION: the exam will be split into two 90-minute sessions, each containing 50 multiple-choice questions. There will be a 15-minute break between the sessions.
- Other than the scheduled break for the afternoon session, applicants are not permitted to leave the view of their web camera unless they finish early and upload their answers.
Results from the June 2021 First-Year Law Students’ Exam are scheduled to be released electronically through the Applicant Portal to applicants on August 6, 2021.
Requests to withdraw from the June 2021 First-Year Law Students’ Exam must be received by the State Bar’s Office of Admissions on or before the dates listed below to qualify for a refund.
- Withdrawal deadline (60% refund): March 1, 2021–May 3, 2021
- Withdrawal deadline (30% refund): May 4, 2021–May 17, 2021
- Withdraw deadline (0% refund): May 18, 2021–June 8, 2021
- Final deadline to withdraw from the exam: June 8, 2021
The CDTA provides extensive and thorough preparation to all 1L students for the Baby Bar. All student-examinees are provided with Fleming’s Fundamentals of Law Baby Bar Review Course. In fact, we consider our eight week program of preparation an intensive “Boot Camp” that places our 1Ls in the best position to succeed on the examination. First-year law students also devote each of their Saturdays to preparing for the exam. Information regarding these programs may be found on the CDTA website.
Attorneys must be prepared to satisfy clients regardless of the nature of the services provided. The CDTA provides the training that attorney-advocates require to meet the needs of clients in the 21st Century. As 2021 moves into full swing, the CDTA continues to place students in the best position possible to obtain the valuable benefits, now more important than ever, that distance learning provides, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The California Desert Trial Academy College of Law provides a state-of-the-art online learning platform that takes full advantage of the benefits provided by distance learning. The CDTA is truly moving forward in 2021! The CDTA College of Law trains, educates, and develops students to be exceptional attorneys and trial advocates. Call us today at (760) 342-0900 or find out more online here.