Preparing for the Bar

About the California Bar Exam

The California Bar Exam is a three day exam that tests applicants' knowledge of the law and legal skills in 13 different subject areas. The Disability Resource Program at Hastings works to ensure that students are fully informed about the exam process, including petitioning for accommodations. Before applying for accommodations, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the exam itself.

Beginning July 2017 the California Bar Exam will go to a two day format.  For more information, please click the following link: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination/Changes-to-Bar-Exam. The exam will take place on July 25 and 26, 2017 and will follow this schedule:

The written and MBE portions of the examination will be weighted equally at 50% each.  The minimum passing score will remain 1440.

For additional information on the California Bar Exam and access to prior bar exam essays and performance tests and the selected answers, visit http://admissions.calbar.ca.gov/.

It is good practice to review previous bar exam questions and answers to get a feel for the types of questions asked and what the bar graders expect in an answer. The California Bar releases sample questions and answers from the essay exams on its website. To read sample questions, sample answers or other information about bar admission visit the California Bar Website.