Internet issues affect bar exam start times in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Issues with the internet at a test-taking site on Tuesday delayed the start of the bar exam in Missouri.

The National Conference of Bar Examiners announced in a Tuesday press release that “site-specific network bandwidth issue” caused the first day of the test to be delayed in Missouri. Issues were also reported in the state of Washington.

“The jurisdiction has modified tomorrow's testing schedule to accommodate today's delayed administration,” the release says about Missouri’s test takers.

The was the first year of using the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination, according to multiple press releases. The NCBE claimed in Tuesday’s release that the platform “performed as expected.”

The Missouri Bar announced in June that it would be one of the first states to administer the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam, along with Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Maryland and Connecticut, according to a map on the Missouri Bar’s website.  

The exam is held twice a year in Columbia, with the Wyndham Executive Center hosting the test for Tuesday and Wednesday.

One test taker at the site – who wished to remain anonymous because they were not sure what they were allowed to say -- had confirmed to ABC 17 News that issues with Wi-Fi occurred at the center.

A second student -- who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of possible retaliation -- told ABC 17 News in an email that the test was delayed more than six hours.