2020-21 Online Licensing Examinations

The Law Society is moving forward with online delivery of all licensing examinations until the end of December 2020. As public health measures regarding social distancing remain in place indefinitely, all in-person delivery of examinations has been cancelled until the end of December 2020. The Law Society continues to actively monitor the public health situation and will communicate delivery plans for 2021 examinations later this year.

Candidates should read this webpage in its entirety, including the FAQs, to ensure that they have the necessary information to write an examination online.

Licensing Examination Schedule

Summer Barrister Examination

Summer Solicitor Examination

Summer Paralegal Examination

Registration Deadlines

If a candidate is not already registered (eligible) to write an upcoming examination, they must first ensure that they have paid the study materials fee and the examination fee before the registration deadline. If a candidate would like to write the examination and has not been invoiced for these fees, they should contact the Law Society through their online account as soon as possible.

Additional opportunities for candidates to write the barrister, solicitor and paralegal examinations will be available in the fall of 2020. Test window dates for these examinations will be released this summer.

Reduction in Length of the 2020-21 Licensing Process Year Examinations

All 2020-21 licensing process year examinations have been temporarily reduced in length from 7 hours to 4 hours. Barrister, solicitor and paralegal examinations in the 2020-21 licensing year continue to be multiple-choice and open book, but starting with the barrister examination on July 14, the examinations will be 4 hours long and made up of 160 multiple-choice questions.

The reduction in length was implemented to facilitate the transition to online delivery and was enabled through prioritizing competencies that are most relevant to effective and ethical practice and public protection.

The processes to prioritize the competencies and reduce the length were supported by psychometricians to ensure continued defensibility. All licensing examinations continue to assess entry level competence for the lawyer and paralegal professions and continue to cover the most critical substantive law, procedural law, professional responsibility, and practice management concepts.

Overview of the Online Delivery Model

The Law Society’s service providers for the online examinations are Paradigm Testing and MonitorEDU who partner to administer the examination software and remote proctoring, respectively. Both providers follow industry best practices in compliance with standards defined by international accrediting bodies such as ISO/ANSI 17024.

Licensing examinations in the 2020-21 licensing process year will be 4 hours in length and written on one day within a 5-day test window between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm EST/EDT. 

The online licensing examinations will be delivered to candidates on a laptop or desktop computer. The delivery will be provided through a secure, browser-based platform that locks down the computer from accessing anything except for the examination. A live Proctor will verify candidate identification and closely monitor candidates during the administration of the examination through audio and live video streaming via two cameras: a computer webcam and a smartphone camera. The smartphone’s setting must be on “do not disturb” during the examination with the camera functioning. 

For more information, watch the video about remote proctoring and review the sample online examination. The YouTube video is provided in English by a Law Society licensing examination service provider, MonitorEDU. Candidates may access French captioning by clicking on the settings wheel and selecting French (Canada) subtitles/CC.

On examination day, candidates will be required to accept a Candidate Agreement before they can begin writing the examination. 

Technical Requirements

• Computer, Software and Operating System (OS): Laptop or desktop computer and monitor with a webcam, with Windows 7 or higher or for Mac OS requirements, please refer to the following chart. You must meet the operating system requirements in order to install the secure browser software required to complete the online examination. Further information regarding downloading and installing the secure browser software will be sent to you once you have confirmed an examination time and date with MonitorEDU. 
• Browser: Recent version of Google Chrome (50+). Google Chrome will be loaded during pre-examination configuration, if it is not already loaded. 
• Mobile Device: Android 4.1 or higher and iOS (Apple) 8.0 smart devices with camera. Candidates can see the operating system version in the phone settings. 
• Internet connection: A steady internet connection is required (Wi-Fi will be required for mobile streaming) with a minimum upload speed of 1MB/second. Recommended speed is 1.5MB/second upload, 1.5 MB/second download. Tethering is not supported. 
• Bandwidth requirements
  • Video: 300 kbps per stream (recommended lowest level)
  • Audio: 50 kbps per stream (recommended lowest level)
•  Video specifications
  • Video resolutions — browsers:
    • 1280 x 720
    • 640 x 480
    • 320 x 240
  • Video resolutions — mobile (iOS/Android):
    • Customizable (312 by 256 min)
  • VP8 video format (the WebRTC standard)
• A six-foot extension cord:  Allows flexibility in the placement of the computer and camera if the Proctor determines that these items must be moved. 

If candidates have questions about the technical requirements, they are encouraged to contact MonitorEDU through the 24/7 live chat line at https://monitoredu.com/live-chat. At any time, candidates may conduct a supported pre-check of their equipment with MonitorEDU.

If a candidate is unable to meet the technology requirements for the online examination delivery, the candidate may contact the Law Society to request assistance through the candidate’s online account at least 20 business days before the start of Test Window 1 of the candidate’s examination sitting. Seeking assistance from the Law Society should be a last resort. If the Law Society determines that the request is appropriate, the candidate will be sent a form to complete. This form is required to be completed and submitted within 2 business days of the date that the form was sent to the candidate.

While the Law Society does not guarantee that assistance can be obtained, the Law Society will make reasonable efforts to assist candidates in meeting the technology requirements. Candidates should note that the Law Society has a limited amount of equipment available to lend to candidates and should be aware that their scheduled date to write the examination may be impacted by the laptop inventory available and the required shipping time.

Rules and Protocol

While many of the rules and protocol for online delivery are the same as for the in-person delivery, additional security measures are in place to protect the integrity of the examination and preserve a standardized experience as much as possible.

Candidates must review the Rules and Protocol (for Lawyers or for Paralegals) including those applicable to online examinations before they write their examination.

Candidates should also review the Guide to Licensing Examinations (for Lawyers or for Paralegals) for tips on preparing to write the examination and for strategies for reviewing the study materials.

Testing Area

In order to support successful completion of the licensing examination, candidates are required to ensure the testing area is and will remain comfortable, quiet, and free of distractions during the scheduled examination. Candidates need to ensure that they set the best conditions for themselves to write the examination. Below are conditions for an acceptable testing area:

• There is a clear desk or tabletop
• There is a comfortable chair
• Only the Permitted Items listed below are within the candidate’s reach
• The areas beneath the desk and chair are clear
• The walls immediately behind where the Licensing Examination is taken are clear
• The computer and smartphone are plugged in for the duration of the examination
• The candidate has within reach a six-foot extension cord and uses it as required by the Proctor to move the computer and smartphone
• There is adequate lighting and the room is at a comfortable temperature
• There is no noise from outside of the testing area (e.g., television, conversation) that would interfere with the candidate’s ability to write the examination or the ability of the Proctor to monitor the examination
• Landlines, non-required electronics, and any security or recording devices in the room are turned off
• A sign has been placed on the door(s) of the testing area, if any
• No one enters the testing area during the examination (other than, e.g., for a moment as a result of inadvertence)

The Law Society understands that some candidates may not have access to a quiet or private room in which to take an examination, particularly during the COVID-19 situation. However, candidates are still responsible for securing a testing area that meets the requirements for writing the online examination, and the Law Society expects that candidates will make all possible efforts and exhaust all options that are available to them to secure an appropriate testing area for their licensing examination. Seeking assistance from the Law Society should be a last resort.

If a candidate is unable to secure an appropriate testing area, the candidate may contact the Law Society to request assistance through the candidate’s online account at least 20 business days before the start of Test Window 1 of the candidate’s examination sitting. If the Law Society determines that the request is appropriate, the candidate will be sent a form to complete. This form is required to be completed and submitted within 2 business days of the date that the form was sent to the candidate.

While the Law Society does not guarantee that assistance can be obtained, the Law Society will make reasonable efforts to provide the candidate with at least one contact that may be willing to offer an appropriate testing area for the candidate to write the online examination. If one or more testing area contacts have been forwarded to the candidate, it is the candidate’s sole responsibility to coordinate use of the testing area with that contact. Please note that any testing area contacts may be provided to more than one candidate as there may be multiple candidates who have requested assistance in locating an appropriate testing area.

Permitted Items

• Law Society of Ontario candidate identification card (including an expired card) or valid, current government-issued photo identification that confirms your full legal name as it is on file with the Law Society
• A laptop computer, or a desktop computer with a monitor, and a webcam that meet the technical requirements
• A smartphone that is set to “do not disturb” with a functioning camera
• A phone stand or another non-electronic object (e.g., a book) on which to prop up and secure the smartphone and adjust its position
• A six-foot extension cord
• Printed study materials and other printed materials, notes, and textbooks
• A single blank notepad or blank a piece of scrap paper for note-taking
• Pens, pencils, a highlighter, and an eraser
• Snack items that may be conveniently consumed during the examination.
• A drink in a clear container that is capped when not in use

Prohibited Actions

• Wearing a hat, hood, coat, or bulky clothing (except where same constitutes Religious Attire)
• Wearing headphones, earplugs, earbuds, or any device placed in the ear
• Refusing to cooperate with the Proctor or to satisfy requests made by the Proctor, including requests to move the candidate’s computer, smartphone, or other object, whether same is inside or outside of the testing area
• Wearing a watch
• Having access to, accessing, or using non-required electronics, including a calculator
• Having access to, accessing, or using a communication device or any type of recording device, other than those listed as required for the examination
• Having anything in the candidate’s pockets
• Making notes on or in any way marking up (whether by folding corners, highlighting, or otherwise) anything other than the permitted blank notebook or piece of paper  
• Having anything on the desk or within reach, other than Permitted Items.

Step-by-Step Process to Write an Online Examination

Step 1:  Schedule the Date and Time to Write the Examination

At least 4 weeks before the first test window, candidates will be notified by the Law Society of their eligibility to write an examination through their online account. This message will include the link to schedule the online exam.

Candidates must ensure that their personal email on file with the Law Society is correct and that their email is set up to allow emails from @monitoredu.com.

Candidates must schedule their examination to start and end between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST/EDT. There are limited slots available for each day and time.

The 5-day test windows run from Tuesday to Saturday. Examination time slots are in the morning or afternoon. An additional 15 minutes has been added to the time slots to allow time for pre-examination check-ins and post-examination procedures. The allotted time to write the examination is 4 hours plus a 30-minute scheduled break between the two parts of the examination.

Step 2:  Complete requirements to write the online examination

A minimum of 5 days prior to examination day, candidates’ hardware and software requirements and Internet bandwidth must be pre-checked with MonitorEDU to verify equipment and Internet bandwidth . The pre-check is a requirement to write the examination. It is important to verify that the computer that will be used is compatible, properly configured and ready well before the examination day.

This pre-examination check should be completed on the computer that will be used to write the examination and in the testing area where the candidate will be taking the examination. This will provide an opportunity for the candidate to ask MonitorEDU any questions about the room configuration before examination day.

Candidates who have registered for an online examination must also meet these additional requirements in order to write the examination.

Step 3:  Examination Day

Candidates must be seated in the testing area at the time that the examination is scheduled to begin. Candidates must ensure that the testing environment is comfortable, quiet, and free of distractions and that the desk or table is cleared except for the Permitted Items, listed above. 

The examination day check of equipment will be conducted via chat with MonitorEDU. The Proctor will then verify ID, scan the examination area and screen the candidate to ensure that candidates are in compliance with the Rules and Protocol (for Lawyers or for Paralegals). Candidates may be asked to provide a 360-degree view or close-ups of the environment, clothing, glasses, ears or anything else that the Proctor deems necessary. The Proctor may ask to see the underside of the desk or table. During the screening process, candidates may be asked to adjust clothing or to relocate objects in the room.

Once the security screening is complete, candidates will be asked to access the examination webpage and to wait for the secure access code from the Proctor to begin the examination. Candidates will have access to technical support from MonitorEDU before and during the examination through the chat feature in the unlikely event there is a technology issue. The Proctor will monitor candidates throughout the examination and will be able to communicate via audio.

The 4-hour examination will be written in 2 parts with each part being 2 hours in length. After candidates complete and submit the first part, they are provided a 30-minute break before beginning the second part. Candidates are not permitted to take any breaks other than the scheduled 30-minute break between the two parts.

Once the candidate completes the examination, the candidate is required to shred, destroy, or rip into miniscule bits any paper note-taking material (including pieces of paper upon which no notes were made if so requested by the Proctor). Such shredding, destruction, or ripping shall be done both completely and to the satisfaction of the Proctor. Even if the Proctor does not request same, the candidate must complete the shredding, destruction, or ripping. All shredded, destroyed, and ripped note-taking material must also be immediately discarded in such a manner that it cannot be retrieved. Candidates are prohibited from attempting to re-construct, copy, retain, or otherwise make use of the note-taking material.

Step 4: Receive Your Examination Results

Examination results will be made available to candidates within 6 to 8 weeks after the completion of the last test window for the licensing examination.  

Note that results for the barrister and solicitor examinations written during test window 4 will be made available the week of October 26 and November 9, respectively.

Candidates will receive results from the Law Society through their online account.

Frequently Asked Questions