The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously ordered adjustments to the August 4 remote bar exam. The adjustments come amid pandemic social distancing and unforeseen technical complications with the exam software. The exam will be held next week with an open book format and without the exam software.

Applicants who graduated from an American Bar Association accredited law school must pass a character and fitness assessment in addition to studying for and passing the Indiana written exam and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. The five justices agree the adjusted Indiana remote exam balances the urgent need for new lawyers with the Court's requirement to ensure they are qualified.

In May, Indiana announced it would conduct a one-day remote bar exam in July for more than 500 applicants. Recently, practice test sessions revealed software complications and the test was postponed. The software testing company, ILG Technologies, was unsuccessful in correcting the problems which prevented some users from logging onto the test and created typing delays for other applicants.

Today, the Court announced the exam will be held remotely with an open book format, with no live monitoring or proctoring. Applicants will receive the exam questions by email and submit responses by email to the Indiana Board of Law Examiners. The adjustments allow the exam to be administered with fairness and without the hurdle of the unpredictable exam software.

The applicants are required (like all lawyers) to follow the Professional Rules of Conduct. The Supreme Court's Disciplinary Commission investigates and prosecutes allegations of attorney misconduct and the justices of the Supreme Court have authority over admission and discipline of Indiana lawyers.

The bar exam is administered twice a year through the Supreme Court's Office of Admissions and Continuing Education, which certifies that admittees have fulfilled the requirements for admission to the bar.