The Price of a Missed Deadline: Jordan Chiles’ Olympic Heartbreak and Bar Exam Mishaps
The Paris Olympics concluded today, but not without controversy.
As the world said "au revoir" to the 2024 Summer Games, we are reminded that years of preparation can hinge on a matter of seconds. Jordan Chiles, the American gymnast who contributed significantly to Team USA's success, faced heartbreak when she was stripped of her bronze medal in the floor exercise due to a timing issue—her coach's appeal was filed just seconds too late.
Four seconds too late, to be specific.
The situation unfolded after Chiles had originally finished fourth in the floor exercise final with a score of 13.666. However, her coaches successfully challenged the difficulty score, which added 0.1 to her score, moving her into third place and securing the bronze medal.
But the victory was short-lived.
The Romanian gymnast, Ana Bărbosu, who had initially finished in fourth place, challenged the timing of the appeal. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the inquiry on Chiles' behalf had been filed after the one-minute deadline stipulated by the International Gymnastics Federation. As a result, Chiles' score was reinstated to its original 13.666, and Bărbosu was awarded the bronze medal instead.
The United States has appealed that decision and USA Gymnastics has submitted additional evidence to CAS as part of the effort to have Chiles’ medal reinstated.
In the meantime, some have argued that the decision to strip Chiles of her medal is a bitter pill to swallow, especially given that her entire routine had been executed flawlessly. But the harsh reality of competitive sports is that rules are rules, and even the smallest misstep—whether by an athlete or the athlete's support team—can have significant (and devastating) consequences.
Chiles' Olympic incident is an important reminder of the importance of following directions and meeting deadlines, especially when it comes to other high-stakes situations like the bar exam. Just as Olympic athletes prepare for years to compete at the highest level, law students dedicate three or more years to their legal education with the goal of passing the bar exam.
However, as I've seen throughout my teaching career, even the smallest error in the bar exam application process or a failure to adhere to exam day rules can have devastating consequences. Below are some examples of small mistakes that, like Chiles' missed deadline, have prevented candidates from sitting for—or even completing—the bar exam.
1. File Format Issues
One candidate submitted their resume in Word format instead of the required PDF, as stipulated by the jurisdiction's bar exam application instructions. This simple mistake resulted in the candidate’s application being deemed incomplete, causing the candidate to miss the deadline. Similarly, another candidate uploaded a photo as a PDF instead of the specified JPEG format, which led to the same outcome.
Lesson: Always double-check the required formats for all application materials. A seemingly minor oversight can lead to significant delays or disqualification.
2. Mock Exam Submission
A candidate completed the mock exam on time but failed to upload it according to the jurisdiction's laptop testing policy. The candidate shut down the laptop before the mock exam had fully uploaded. By the time the candidate discovered the error, the submission deadline had passed, resulting in an incomplete application.
Lesson: Make sure all necessary files are uploaded correctly and on time. Taking a few extra minutes to verify submissions can prevent costly mistakes.
3. Payment Errors
In one case, a candidate didn't double-check payment details, leading to a failed exam fee payment due to insufficient funds. As a result, the candidate was denied the opportunity to sit for the bar exam.
Lesson: Always verify payment information and ensure that funds are available. An overlooked payment can prevent you from taking the exam.
4. Character and Fitness Issues
A candidate overlooked a minor discrepancy in the employment history section of the character and fitness application. This led to a last-minute scramble to correct the error, causing unnecessary stress and risking exam eligibility.
Lesson: Review your application thoroughly for accuracy. Addressing even minor issues promptly can save you from potential disqualification.
5. Misreading Exam Instructions
A candidate brought prohibited items into the exam room, having forgotten to remove a wireless receiver from the laptop's USB port. Although the candidate was allowed to complete the exam, the candidate had to submit a letter to the state board of law examiners and appear in front of the board to discuss the situation.
Lesson: Carefully read and follow all exam day instructions. A small oversight can lead to serious complications, even if you are allowed to continue with the exam.
6. Incomplete Application
One applicant failed to notarize a required document in the application packet. The incomplete application was returned, and by the time the error was corrected, the deadline had passed, resulting in the application being deemed incomplete.
Lesson: Ensure that every component of your application is complete and correctly submitted. Missing a notarization or other small detail can delay or derail your application process.
7. Failure to Follow Proctor Instructions
During a restroom break, a candidate failed to bring the testing materials to the proctor as required by the jurisdiction’s rules. This violation of exam protocol led to the candidate being disqualified from completing the remainder of the examination.
Lesson: Pay close attention to proctor instructions and exam protocols. Failure to comply can result in disqualification, regardless of how well-prepared you are.
Just as Jordan Chiles prepared for years only to have her medal stripped away due to a timing error, bar exam candidates can find themselves in similar situations where small mistakes have big consequences. The key takeaway is clear: attention to detail and strict adherence to deadlines and instructions are as crucial in the bar exam process as they are in the Olympic Games.
Don't let a preventable error derail years of hard work.
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