GPT-4 passes the bar exam.

In this paper, we experimentally evaluate the zero-shot performance of GPT-4 against prior generations of GPT on the entire uniform bar examination (UBE), including not only the multiple-choice multistate bar examination (MBE), but also the open-ended multistate essay exam (MEE) and multistate performance test (MPT) components. On the MBE, GPT-4 significantly outperforms both human test-takers and prior models, demonstrating a 26% increase over ChatGPT and beating humans in five of seven subject areas. On the MEE and MPT, which have not previously been evaluated by scholars, GPT-4 scores an average of 4.2/6.0 when compared with much lower scores for ChatGPT. Graded across the UBE components, in the manner in which a human test-taker would be, GPT-4 scores approximately 297 points, significantly in excess of the passing threshold for all UBE jurisdictions. These findings document not just the rapid and remarkable advance of large language model performance generally, but also the potential for such models to support the delivery of legal services in society. This article is part of the theme issue 'A complexity science approach to law and governance'.

Fulfilling psychological needs predicts less sleep disruption and worry while awaiting uncertain news.

Research on self-determination theory suggests that people have fundamental needs to feel autonomous, competent, and socially connected and that fulfilling these needs is critical for well-being. In the present study, we examined whether fulfilling psychological needs is associated with physical and psychological well-being-specifically sleep disruption and worry, two key indicators of well-being during waiting periods-while managing the unique stress of awaiting uncertain news. In a study of law graduates during the 4 months while they awaited their California bar exam (the exam one is required to pass before practicing law) results, personal increases in need fulfilment related to temporally congruent reductions in sleep disruption and worry. In addition, those whose needs were most fulfilled during the waiting period responded less negatively to failing the bar exam. The picture for need frustration was mixed; only autonomy frustration was associated with concurrent increases in worry, although those whose needs were more frustrated in general also experienced greater worry and sleep disruption on average. On the whole, our findings suggest that self-determination theory needs may be a fruitful target for interventions that can protect well-being while people wait and even once their uncertainty is resolved.

Bracing Later and Coping Better: Benefits of Mindfulness During a Stressful Waiting Period.

People frequently await uncertain news, yet research reveals that the strategies people naturally use to cope with uncertainty are largely ineffective. We tested the role of mindfulness for improving the experience of a stressful waiting period. Law graduates awaiting their bar exam results either reported their trait mindfulness (Study 1; N = 150) or were instructed to practice mindfulness meditation (Study 2; N = 90). As hypothesized, participants who were naturally more mindful or who practiced mindfulness managed their expectations more effectively by bracing for the worst later in the waiting period and perceived themselves as coping better. Additionally, participants who were low in dispositional optimism and high in intolerance of uncertainty benefited most from mindfulness (relative to control) meditation. These findings point to a simple and effective way to wait better, particularly for those most vulnerable to distress.

Ansiedade, estresse, sintomas de TDAH e desempenho em candidatos no exame da Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil/RS / Anxiety, stress, ADHD symptoms and performance in candidates in the Bar Exam of theBrazilian Bar Association/RS

A ansiedade e o estresse são fatores de risco para o desempenho em concursos públicos. Este estudo buscou verificar associações entre ansiedade, estresse, sintomas de TDAH e desempenho no XVIII Exame de Ordem Unificado da prova da OAB. Participaram 82 bacharéis em Direito, com média de idade de 32,5 anos. A maioria eram mulheres (54,9%), fizeram uso de medicação psiquiátrica (24,4%), repescagem (7,3%), não haviam prestado exame antes (30,5%), de uma a duas vezes (29,3%), de três a cinco vezes (31,7%) e acima de cinco vezes (8,5%). Foram aprovados (56,1%), e nestes, o ISSL apontou presença de estresse (65,2%), na fase da resistência (76,7%) com presença de sintomas psicológicos (70%). O BAI demonstrou ansiedade moderada (21,7%) e severa (13%), presença de sintomas de déficit de atenção (41,7%), de hiperatividade/impulsividade (33,3%) e de ambos (25%). Foram encontradas associações significativas entre idade e desempenho (p=0,021) e a presença de sintomas de estresse e desempenho (p=0,041).

Anxiety and stress are risk factors in public tender performances. This study aimed to verify associations among anxiety, stress, ADHD symptoms and the performance in XVIII Unified Order Exam from OAB test. Eighty-two Law bachelors, at the average age of 32,5 years old, took part in the study. Mosto f them were women (54,9%), made use of psychiatric medication (24,4%), repechage (7,3%), haven't taken the exam before (30,5%), from once to twice (29,3%), from three to five times (31,7%) and more than five times (8,5%). It was approved (56,1%), in which, the LSSI showed the presence of stress (65,2%), in resistance phase (76,7%) with the presence of psychological symptoms (70%). The BAI demonstrated moderate anxiety (21,7%) and severe (13%), had presence of attention disorder symptoms (41,7%), hyperactivity/ impulsiveness (33,3%) and both (25%). It was found significant associations among age and performance (p=0,021) and the presence of stress symptoms and performance (p=0,041).