New York’s plan to administer an online bar exam in October is misguided and inequitable, according to a panel of recent law graduates, legal educators, and state lawmakers who convened Tuesday for a virtual roundtable discussion about the licensing test.

Participants spent nearly two hours discussing the myriad challenges facing recent law graduates, the problems with moving the exam online, and the benefits of an emergency diploma privilege that would allow graduates to become licensed without taking the test. More than 8,000 people viewed the discussion online, an indication of how important this issue has become, said New York State Sen. Brad Hoylman, who convened the roundtable with State Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon. Both lawmakers have introduced bills that would enact a temporary diploma privilege for law graduates.