Snowmageddon 2026: Bar Examiners Double Down On Being The Worst

Above the Law

by Joe Patrice

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Bar Exam in 2026 faced unprecedented challenges during Snowmageddon, with bar examiners criticized for their lack of empathy and poor handling of the situation. In New York, despite widespread travel disruptions caused by canceled flights and heavy snowfall, examiners insisted that applicants must attend the exam or risk being marked as withdrawn. This rigid approach, which seemed to prioritize enforcing rules over ensuring fairness, added unnecessary stress to already struggling candidates. The Albany test center further compounded the issue by kicking examinees out into the snow just 10 minutes after the exam ended, leaving many stranded without reliable transportation. In New Jersey, while a two-and-a-half-hour delay was announced, it did little to address the unsafe road conditions and failed to account for those traveling by air. Many applicants faced delays in accessing test centers due to blocked roads and canceled Uber services, with one Reddit user describing their ordeal of trying to shovel their car out without success. The situation worsened when a New Jersey test center had to wait an additional few hours because the truck delivering test sheets was delayed—highlighting the examiners’ failure to anticipate logistical challenges. The broader issue reflects a pattern of inflexibility among bar examiners, who appear more focused on enforcing arbitrary rules than ensuring fairness or safety for examinees. This lack of consideration for the real-world obstacles faced by candidates has sparked frustration and质疑 about their commitment to professionalism. Legal professionals and aspiring attorneys are left wondering if such crises will ever be handled with the empathy and understanding needed in the legal profession. Ultimately, this situation matters

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Originally published on Above the Law on 2/25/2026