UC Hastings Courses that Cover Subjects Tested on the California Bar Exam
The CA State Bar Admissions Checklist
The California Bar Exam consists of two days and is given every July and February. For more information on the exam, please click the following link: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination. The exam follows this schedule:
Day 1 |
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Morning |
3 one-hour Essays |
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Afternoon |
2 one-hour Essays and 1 90-minute Performance Test |
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Day 2 |
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Morning |
100 Multiple Choice Questions |
3 Hours |
Afternoon |
100 Multiple Choice Questions |
3 Hours |
The written and MBE portions of the examination are weighted equally at 50% each. The minimum passing score is 1440. For additional information on grading, please read California Bar Exam Grading.
To access prior bar exam essay questions and performance tests and the selected answers, visit http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination/Past-Exams.
The State Bar of California has released a sample 90-minute Performance Test. Click here to access the sample Performance Test: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/specialnotices/2017_Sample_90-MinutePT_File_R.pdf.
The following subjects are tested on the essay portion of the exam:
Helpful link: Scope of the California Bar Exam
On day two of the California Bar Exam, applicants take the MBE. The MBE consists of 200 multiple choice questions from the following subjects:
Please note that these subjects may also be tested on the essay portion of the exam.
For the MBE's scope of coverage see the MBE Subject Matter Outline.
For a list of courses that cover the subjects tested on the essay and MBE portions of the bar exam, please read UC Hastings Courses that Cover Subjects and Skills Tested on the California Bar Exam.
The application for the July examination becomes available on March 1st and the application for the February examination becomes available on October 1st. Click here for importante dates and deadlines information: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/Dates-Deadlines.
To Do | When do I do this and what is the cost? |
Register with the Committee of Bar Examiners |
As a 1L. Registration is recommended within 90 days of matriculation. Even if you do not plan to practice law in California upon graduation, you must register with the California State Bar if you want to participate in Practical Training as a law student after your first year. Register at https://www.calbarxap.com/applications/calbar/California_Bar_Registration/. Cost: $119 |
Register for a Bar Review Course |
By the Spring of the 3L year. Before signing up for a course, research the options and select a course that fits with your learning style. Students who serve as bar company student representative can receive courses for free or at reduced rates. Cost: Approximately $1,500-$4,000 |
Take the MPRE |
Students should take the MPRE well in advance of the bar exam, preferably in the 2L year if the student has already taken an ethics or professional responsibility course, and has time to study. The MPRE is offered three times a year in March, August, and November. For exam and registration information visit http://www.ncbex.org/exams/mpre/. Cost: $95 if timely and $190 if late |
If needed, petition for a disability accommodation | Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. This is a petition process, not an application process. Students must prove that they fall within the protections of the American Disabilities Act. The burden of proof is on the student, and students must meet the level of proof required in order to be accommodated. The approval process is lengthy and extensive documentation is required. Contract Lisa Noshay Petro, Director of DRP, (noshaype@uchastings.edu), for assistance. Helpful links: General DRP webpage, Bar Accommodations Overview, State Bar of California Testing Accommodations, MPRE Testing Accommodations. |
Complete the moral character application |
During the 2L year or at the beginning of the 3L year. The application takes a minimum of 6 months to process, but the State Bar recommends applicants file 8 to 10 months prior to the date at which they wish to be admitted to the bar. The application requires education, residence, and career information dating back to high school. Students should allow ample time to prepare. Failure to file in a timely manner may delay your admission to practice law. Once approved, the application is valid for 36 months. After completing and printing the application, you must sign the hard copy Authorization and Release form and attach all documents listed on the Application Checklist. To avoid delay in the processing of your application, the application, checklist, and all listed documents should be mailed within 30 days of submitting the application in an envelope to the following address: Office of Admissions Access the moral character application at https://www.calbarxap.com/applications/calbar/California_Bar_Moral_Character/. All California Bar applicants must submit their fingerprints through Live Scan in order to determine whether applicants have a criminal conviction. The moral character application will not be considered without properly submitted fingerprints. Your fingerprints are valid for 90 days, so you should submit your moral character application within 90 days of getting your fingerprints done. Live Scan fingerprinting services will be offered on the Hastings campus during each semester. Cost: $551 Moral Character Application fee and $25 Live Scan fee |
Register to take the California Bar Exam |
As a 3L. March 1st, of your 3L year, if you are taking the July bar exam or October 1st, of your 3L year, if you are taking the February bar exam. Apply here: https://www.calbarxap.com/applications/calbar/California_Bar_Exam/. Cost: $677 - General Applicants Laptop Fee: $153 |
Register to use your laptop |
Approximately 10 weeks before the exam.
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