Why is the law school test called the "bar exam"?

Question

Where did the bar exam get it's name?

Answer 1

aspiring ambulance chasers run to the nearest watering hole when the exam is over

Answer 2

The bar exam is not a law school test. It is a test that lawyers take after graduating law school to become licensed.

The term originated in old English courts centuries ago. The layout of the court (still in use today in England, Canada, Australia and the US) had a railing (the "bar") between the area used by spectators and the area used by the attorneys/barristers and the other court officials.

Only an attorney or barrister was allowed to go past the railing (to pass the bar) to appear before the court, unless called by the court as a witness. The concept of "passing the bar" to become an attorney or barrister became common phrasing, and eventually became known as being a "member of the bar".

When the US states set up their licensing procedures, they retained this terminology. Thus, a licensed attorney is a member of the bar of their state. The exam to become a licsend attorney is thus called the "bar exam".

Answer 3

It is not a law school test, but an examination to practice law before the court. In the old days a "bar" was placed between the public area of the court and the area where the judge sat and the lawyers argued their cases. Even today there is almost always some sort of barrier (derived from "bar") between the public area and the area open to the judges, lawyers & court officers. The right to plead cases before the court is therefore referred to as being admitted "to practice before (in front of) the bar."

Answer 4

In England, an attorney is called a Barrister. This is because they would argue in front of a long "bar" that split the courtroom between the attorneys and the rest of the public. Therefore, in order to argue in front of the court they would have to "pass the bar". Thus the name of the exam which attorney's now have to pass in order to practice is called the "bar".

Answer 5

after two (or three) grueling days of stupid things such as RAP, holders in due course, the dorment commerce clause and race notice statutes everybody heads to the bar and gets totally drunk.