MacBook Pro Touch Bar Use Barred from North Carolina Bar Exam

The Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina issued a notice Tuesday to all North Carolina Bar Examination applicants using the latest version of the MacBook Pro, requiring students to disable the device’s Touch Bar for the exam.

While the board did not provide an explanation for the requirement, it is presumably to prevent cheating. The Touch Bar replaces physical keys with context-sensitive touch commands. The software behind these commands could conceivably be rewritten by programmers to display test answers.

Test taking software company ExamSoft in a post explained that the predictive text can “compromise exam integrity” and offered instructions on how to disable the Touch Bar. Users need to open “System Preferences” and select “Keyboard.” Next, open the drop-down menu for “Touch Bar Shows” and choose “App Controls.” Then, open the drop-down menu for “Press Fn key to” and select “Show F1, F2, etc. Keys” to fully disable the Touch Bar.

The Touch Bar must be off prior to entering any Bar examination site. A proctor or ExamSoft technician will inspect all MacBook Pro laptops prior to the exam to ensure it is disabled.

North Carolina isn’t alone in barring the Touch Bar. Colorado, California and New York, Fortune reported, have banned the laptops entirely from exam rooms.

About the Author

Sri Ravipati is Web producer for THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • A sleek laptop with an abstract interface, with a robotic hand interacting with the screen. In the background, subtle legal document icons and compliance checkmarks add context.

    NSF Seeks Public Comment on Development of a National AI Action Plan

    The National Science Foundation has issued a request for public comment to help define priorities for a new Artificial Intelligence Action Plan.

  • teacher

    6 Policy Recommendations for Incorporating AI in the Classroom

    The Southern Regional Education Board's Commission on AI in Education has published six recommendations for states on adopting artificial intelligence in schools, colleges, and universities. The guidance marks the commission's first release since it was established last February, with more recommendations planned in the coming year.

  • glowing cloud labeled "AI" is centered among other cloud icons

    AWS Updates AI Offerings with Amazon Nova Premier, Llama 4, Anonymous User Q Business Chatbots

    Amazon Web Services (AWS) has made a number of AI moves to maintain its position alongside fellow cloud giants Microsoft and Google.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.