Unfortunately, state bar associations seldom provide easy to find and reliably up to date information information about laptop use in bar exams. Some states do not use laptops, and don’t even mention laptops in their exam FAQs, while others make vague statements about laptop use, without providing specifics. I will only include a particular state if I have clear, unequivocal information.
For specifics about the various software packages mentioned on this page (Electronic Blue Book, Exam4, Securexam, SofTest), check out the Exam Software page.
If you have the details on bar exam support for Macs in your state or province, please drop us a note.
Alabama
It appears Alabama does not use exam software. See the Alabama State Bar Examination page. [01 July 09]
Alaska
Laptops are the exception. For candidates testing in Anchorage, SofTest is allowed, but Macs do not appear to be supported. [01 July 09]
Arizona
You have to pay $125 for the privilege of using a laptop for the Arizona bar exam. Arizona uses SofTest, but they do allow Mac use via Boot Camp. More info can be found at the Arizona Bar’s Examination Information page. [01 July 09]
California
California uses SofTest, but does support Boot Camp. See Michael Katz’s detailed writeup. [13 April 08]
Colorado
Colorado uses SofTest and allows (but discourages) Mac use via Boot Camp. All this can be yours for the low, low fee of $100. Here’s a Colorado Supreme Court PDF with the details.
Georgia
Georgia uses SofTest and supports Boot Camp running Windows XP or Vista. Thanks to Warren for the update. [24 April 09]
Kentucky
Jim confirms that Kentucky uses Exam4 and supports native Mac use. [24 April 09]
Illinois
The Illinois Board uses SofTest, but allows Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 Boot Camp use. See this .doc file (no PDF, Illinois?) for more info. [03 May 09]
Iowa
According to this PDF from Iowa’s Judiciary, the state uses SofTest, but Boot Camp is supported [03 May 09]
Maryland
Adam revealed that Maryland uses SofTest but allows Boot Camp use. [01 August 08]
Minnesota
Minnesota uses SofTest and allows Boot Camp use. Thanks to Michael for the info. [25 November 08]
Nebraska
Nebraska uses Exam4 and supports the Mac. Thanks to Bob for the info. [23 June 08]
New York
New York uses SofTest, but supports Boot Camp for Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5. See this New York State Board of Law Examiners page for more info. [03 May 09]
Oregon
Dennis Bishop, the Director of Information & Technology at the University of Oregon School of Law reports that Oregon uses SofTest and supports Boot Camp use. He further notes:
We currently have the 12 Intel Macs in our loaner pool configured and checked out to students taking the July bar.
Texas
Matt sent in a link to the Texas Bar of Law Examiners Laptops page, which states that Boot Camp is supported, so Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 users can take the test using Boot Camp with Windows XP or Vista.
Utah
Utah uses SofTest, but does support Boot Camp. The Utah Bar site has not yet been updated to reflect the addition of Boot Camp support, but the Admissions Administrator for the Utah Bar sent a note clearly stating that Macs would be supported via Boot Camp. Thanks for the heads-up, Wesley. [20 June 08]
Virginia
Virginia is an Exam4 state, and Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 are supported. See this Virginia Board of Bar Examiners page for more info. [03 May 09]
