Aptitude Test for the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)

As the regulator, the Bar Standards Board is responsible for setting the standards of entry to the Bar and has been piloting the development of an Aptitude Test following recommendations made by the Bar Vocational Course Review Group, chaired by Derek Wood QC. The aim of the test is to ensure that those undertaking the BPTC have the required skills to succeed, helping to make sure that those without the required skills do not needlessly spend up to £15,750 on the course.

An original pilot of the test took place in 2009-10 with about 300 student volunteers. A second pilot is currently underway and over 1,600 students have taken part. In order to ensure that the test is accurately identifying those BPTC candidates most likely to succeed, the pilot is not only studying the results of the Aptitude Test, but comparing these with the results of the BPTC course. 

Once the correlation between the Aptitude Test scores and the students’ final BPTC results, including any resit results, has been fully analysed, a decision will be taken as to whether the test is fit for purpose. As the final approval process involves not only the BSB’s own internal committee structure, but also the approval of the overarching regulator, the Legal Services Board, it will not be possible to introduce the test this autumn.

As a result, the BSB has proposed the following timetable for introduction:

• Completion of pilot – October 2011
• Submission of new Aptitude Test for approval by the Legal Services Board –December 2011
• Introduction of the Aptitude Test (subject to approval) – Autumn 2012 (for those starting the course in September 2013). The test will be available for applicants when the BPTC online application system opens in October 2012.

Jack Denton, the co-founder of AllAboutLaw.co.uk said, "it is great to see this timetable now in place, it's a shame it has taken so long but it's positive to see the Bar Standards Board now have a timetable for change."