Ontario Solicitor Exam

[Apple]

On 6/19/2024 at 12:43 AM, ZukoJD said:

But if that’s the case how are these people claiming to have failed with a 70%? 
 

Anyhow, this speculation doesn’t do us much good lol. 

Lawyers are kinda infamous for not knowing math! I wouldn't put much stock in the self reports. 

[scooter]

8 hours ago, loonie said:

Tbh though, I'm not sure how much impact an open letter will have on persuading the LSO to make changes. However, they're hosting a webinar on June 26th to discuss upcoming changes to the licensing process, which might be the best forum to voice any concerns.

The June 26th thing is just an informational webinar about the licensing process. There is basically a 0% chance that anything you say there would actually make its way to people who make decisions on this type of thing. Don’t waste your time

A letter isn’t going to change things on its own but it least has a chance of being seen by people

[loonie]

5 hours ago, capitalttruth said:

Can you elaborate more on these rumors about abolishing the bar exam/altering it significantly? Where have you heard such info? This is the first time I've heard anything about it.

It was a rather prevalent topic during graduation between students. Who knows of its validity though, it's just rumours at this point. 

1 hour ago, scooter said:

The June 26th thing is just an informational webinar about the licensing process. There is basically a 0% chance that anything you say there would actually make its way to people who make decisions on this type of thing. Don’t waste your time

A letter isn’t going to change things on its own but it least has a chance of being seen by people

The webinar is about discussing upcoming changes to the licensing process and will have a question and answer period for those who want to voice any concerns.

In regards to the speakers, it hasn't been confirmed, but a list of speakers who attended the last webinar are: Teresa Donnelly (Treasurer) Priya Bhatia (Executive Director, Professional Development & Compliance), Ken Osborne (Director of Licensing & Accreditation), Gina Haros (Manager, Licensing Process), Peninah Brickman (Senior Manager, Licensing and Accreditation). So I disagree with the notion that anything said there would not be heard by relevant people. 

I'm not saying it's going to do anything meaningful necessarily, but if people feel strongly about the current iteration of the exams, I think it's the most relevant and appropriate forum to voice those concerns. Just my opinion, however. 

[goodisgood]

12 hours ago, hairpins said:

We're not planning the letter itself to be anonymous by its authors and evidently its of a completely different nature. The TMU situation is absolutely bonkers but this letter would be a level headed like "why are we putting students through this when there are tangible harms, few if any benefits, and so many better ways to approach it. We would release the letter sometime after June 26 but writing something good takes time and we're all burnt out post exams lol but if we have some preliminary stuff one of us could bring it forward during that meeting 

 I kind of wonder why we haven't tried something like PREP (Practice Readiness Education Program). The other provinces like Alberta have been able to pull this off. I know it's technically a bit more expensive, but it seems like something that could be more useful while also being less stressful. 

[BlockedQuebecois]

12 hours ago, goodisgood said:

 I kind of wonder why we haven't tried something like PREP (Practice Readiness Education Program). The other provinces like Alberta have been able to pull this off. I know it's technically a bit more expensive, but it seems like something that could be more useful while also being less stressful. 

Ontario had a coursework-based licensing process, and everyone hated it. Basically everyone in jurisdictions with coursework-based licensing processes also bitch about how its worse than just having to sit a couple of exams. So I would be careful what you wish for. 

Edited June 23, 2024 by BlockedQuebecois

[loonie]

I agree with the above - people tend to have stronger opinions (mostly negative) to whatever the current system in place is. 
 

Although it’s appareantly becoming increasingly common for NCA students (who traditionally struggle more with the Bar exams) to get licensed in Alberta and then transfer back in order to bypass the Ontario bar exams altogether. 

Edited June 23, 2024 by loonie
Clarity

[goodisgood]

4 hours ago, BlockedQuebecois said:

Ontario had a coursework-based licensing process, and everyone hated it. Basically everyone in jurisdictions with coursework-based licensing processes also bitch about how its worse than just having to sit a couple of exams. So I would be careful what you wish for. 

Very fair; grass is always greener on the other side 

[hairpins]

I think the big difference between Ontario and Alberta is that, while CPLED is painfully boring and a large (easy) work load, you will pass. Like the odds of failing CPLED are essentially 0. With Ontario, I actually don't mind the idea of an exam, and the materials were survivable, but the fact we are paying so much with a high risk of failure is what bothers me. I think it should be that our first payment covers the cost of 2 attempts within that same year so that we are at a more even playing field to other provinces in terms of our likelihood of passing within that year. if i had to retake this year, Idk that I could afford it. 

[goodisgood]

On 6/25/2024 at 7:02 PM, hairpins said:

I think the big difference between Ontario and Alberta is that, while CPLED is painfully boring and a large (easy) work load, you will pass. Like the odds of failing CPLED are essentially 0. With Ontario, I actually don't mind the idea of an exam, and the materials were survivable, but the fact we are paying so much with a high risk of failure is what bothers me. I think it should be that our first payment covers the cost of 2 attempts within that same year so that we are at a more even playing field to other provinces in terms of our likelihood of passing within that year. if i had to retake this year, Idk that I could afford it. 

After Solicitor I was talking to my friends about feeling like I'd have to rewrite and was shocked that the fees we had to pay for the tests only covered 1 attempt each 

[erin otoole]

On 6/25/2024 at 7:02 PM, hairpins said:

I think it should be that our first payment covers the cost of 2 attempts

After being forced to pay for kids who can't find articles via the lpp the last thing I want to do is pay for the (likely same)kids that fail an open book multiple choice exam. 

In all likelihood you all passed both exams. I thought I failed both horribly but passed on the first try. The exam feels hard but in actuality are easy. You're smarter than you give yourself credit for. 

[scooter]

Exactly. If the fee covered multiple attempts, then they would just make the fee even more expensive and those who pass on the first attempt would be subsidizing those who fail.