Common Mistakes That Can Derail Your Bar Exam Accommodations Request

Requesting accommodations for the bar exam can be a high-stakes and emotionally charged process. As someone who has supported law students and graduates through hundreds of these applications, I can tell you this: the quality of your request matters. Not just the medical documentation, but how it's framed, timed, and aligned with the specific requirements of the testing agency.

Here are some of the most common and preventable mistakes that can derail an otherwise valid request.

1. Waiting Too Long to Apply

Most testing agencies set clear deadlines for accommodation requests, and those deadlines come well before the registration deadline. For example, the California Bar recommends submitting accommodations requests 6 months before the exam. Waiting until the last minute can mean a rushed application, missed documentation, or a denied request due to insufficient time for review.

Tip: Start the process at least 6 to 9 months before your exam date. This gives you time to gather documentation, consult with professionals, and submit a complete request.

2. Submitting Documentation That Doesn’t Match the Guidelines

Not all documentation is created equal. A letter from a therapist may carry a lot of weight in your personal journey but may fall short if it doesn’t meet the specific guidelines of your jurisdiction. Many bar examiners require psychological or cognitive testing within a certain timeframe or clear clinical rationale tied to the accommodation being requested.

Tip: Read the documentation guidelines carefully. Each jurisdiction outlines what’s required, including qualifications of evaluators, diagnostic criteria, and the type of evidence needed to support each accommodation.

3. Assuming Past Accommodations Automatically Transfer

Having accommodations in law school or on the LSAT can strengthen your application, but it doesn’t automatically guarantee approval for the bar exam—unless you're in a jurisdiction like California, which offers streamlined approval for certain applicants. In most states, examiners require up-to-date evidence that clearly demonstrates a current functional limitation and a direct connection between your diagnosis and the specific accommodation being requested.

Tip: Leverage your history to establish consistency, but make sure your request is grounded in current, condition-specific documentation that clearly explains why the accommodation remains necessary for equal access.

4. Over-Explaining or Under-Explaining Your Condition

Some applicants submit dozens of pages of medical history without a clear thread. Others offer only a brief letter with no connection to the testing environment. Neither approach works well.

Tip: Focus on clarity and alignment. Your goal is to help the reviewer understand your functional limitation(s) and how it affects your ability to take the bar exam under standard conditions. Be concise, accurate, and purposeful.

5. Failing to Describe the Barrier

Testing agencies want to understand not just your diagnosis, but how it impacts your ability to complete a multi-hour standardized exam under timed and high-pressure conditions. A diagnosis alone is rarely enough.

Tip: Be specific. Does your condition impair reading fluency, sustained attention, handwriting stamina, or something else? Describe how that limitation shows in similar circumstances and why your requested accommodation is a necessary for equitable access.

6. Missing an Opportunity to Show Consistency

One of the biggest red flags in a request is when someone claims to need accommodations for the first time on the bar exam. While new diagnoses do happen, reviewers are more skeptical when there’s no track record of support.

Tip: If you’ve used accommodations in law school, on other standardized exams, or even through informal arrangements, document it. A history of accommodations strengthens your case.

7. Not Asking for the Right Thing

Sometimes applicants ask for extended time when what they really need is frequent breaks. Or they request a private room without explaining why it’s essential. The best requests are tailored, not templated.

Tip: Work with someone who understands the application process to clarify what accommodations you truly need and how to frame it. It’s not just about listing what would be helpful, but about connecting that need to your documented impairment.

Final Thoughts

Bar exam accommodation requests are not just about proving a diagnosis. They are about demonstrating the specific, test-related barriers you face and aligning your request with clear, credible evidence.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, that’s normal. This is a high-stakes process with a lot riding on it. The good news? With the right support and a thoughtful approach, you can submit a request that gives you the best possible chance of success.

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