Important Information for February 2017 bar takers:
Several jurisdictions have banned use of the new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar on the February bar exam.
As of 1/28, the following jurisdictions will NOT permit bar takers to use the new MacBook on the February bar exam: CA, CO, OK, TN, MA, NY, and WV.
IL will allow use of the MacBook as long as you disable the Touch Bar function. If you have a MacBook you must contact the IL bar examiners ASAP and disable the Touch Bar function. If anyone is found using a MacBook with an enabled Touch Bar during the exam, they will be immediately dismissed.
If you own a new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar function, check with your jurisdiction to see if you are permitted to use it.
1/29 Update: MD and PA have also banned the new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar function.
1/31 Update: Add OH and TX to the list of jurisdictions banning use of the new MacBook Pro. NC will permit use but the touch bar must be disabled prior to entry into the testing facility and at the exam, proctors and techs will verify that is disabled.
1/31 Update: Looks like FL and SC will ban use of the new MacBook Pro.
2/1 Update: AL has just announced it will ban use of the new MacBook Pro.
2/2 Update on Exam4 jurisdictions: Greg Sarab from Extegrity (Exam4) provided the following regarding Exam4 jurisdictions:
- Allow: Pro: AZ, KY, LA, ME, PR.
- Ban: DC, NE, VA.
According to Sarab, “Extegrity fields a full team of highly qualified tech staff… at all of our bar exams… This gives us the capacity to comfortably assist examinees before each session, and be able to keep an eye on things while they type.” You must manually disable the Touch Bar function but according to Exam4, techs will be at the exam to assist with disabling the App Controls, and confirm it has been done. Sarab also said that once in Exam4, you can’t get back in to change settings. There is no fee for registered examinees to re-download Exam4 on a different laptop, regardless of whether the jurisdiction has banned Touchbar MacBooks.
-KSK
Bar Exam Wizard 