JB in DC: Bar Exam

When I start to think, wow, only 4 more academic quarters - less than 2 years and I'll graduate, I remind myself there's still the BAR EXAM.. I'm not sure what typeface best conveys the gravitas and the soul-aching fear that a two day exam brings, but I could only choose among eight options.

Anyways, my mother, as a state employee of Maryland, found out she could help serve as a proctor for the exam. She did it Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, and sent me her thoughts. She had a lot of down time so she broke down gender, race, computer type, etc.:

• proctored in the Armory at UMD. 480 test takers. I had # 1-40. One supervisor for every 2 proctors and then 1 main person - who made all the microphone announcements.
• 2 people / table; all spaces were numbered. Proctors check drivers license with admissions paper with number on desk four different times throughout the day.
• I had 18 females and 21 males...yes that is only 39...no one was assigned #13.. also in larger groups no one is #666.
• 13 African Americans (8m/5f); 1 female w/ a hijab; 25 Caucasian.
• 20 Mac computers, next majority was Dell but unable to get a number, ~ 2 Toshiba's, ~ 2 Sony, 1 Lenovo.
• about 5-7 wore ear plugs.
• at least 3 incident reports were written on day 2: 1) cell phone in a back pack rang today, when it rang the second time the back pack was taken outside of the room; 2) a bee was buzzing around the room; 3) bugs in one area, testers were given the option to move to other seats, but declined.
• the last 15 minutes of the exam no one is allowed to get up to leave or go to the bathroom, nor do the proctors walk the aisles as they don't want anyone disturbed in those final minutes. Proctors can't wear flip flops or other shoes that would make noise while walking around.

So, that's the bar exam. It's interesting to at least know how the room may be set up. I also read a great tip the other day about bringing a pocket flashlight - apparently losing power for a short period of time in the testing room has happened on more than one occasion. I'm going to try to not think about the bar for at least another year and a half, but I figured since I found this email informative I should share it.