The California Bar Exam is one of the most demanding and prestigious legal licensure exams in the world. This exam, which is required for prospective attorneys seeking to practice law in California, covers a wide range of legal topics through essays, performance-based activities, and multiple-choice questions. The California Bar Exam is notorious for its low pass rates and complex structure, necessitating extensive preparation and a full understanding of both state-specific and national legal ideas. This guide contains all you need to know about the test process, syllabus, and key dates for the 2025 cycle.
Also See: Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World
California Bar Exam – Overview
Purpose: Required to obtain a license to practice law in the state of California, USA.
Why It’s Tough:
- Considered one of the most difficult bar exams in the world.
- Low pass rates (especially for first-time takers from out-of-state or foreign law schools).
- Covers a broad range of legal subjects.
- Demands deep analytical skills and time management.
Who Can Take the California Bar Exam?
You can take the exam if you are:
- A graduate of a law school accredited by the ABA (American Bar Association) or a California-accredited law school.
- A foreign-educated lawyer or law student who meets certain requirements (additional evaluation or coursework may apply).
- A registered law student in a California Law Office Study Program (apprenticeship under a licensed attorney).
California Bar Exam Structure
It’s a 2-day exam divided into 3 components:
Day 1 – Written Portion
1. 5 One-Hour Essays
Subjects tested:
- Business Associations
- Civil Procedure
- Community Property
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Evidence
- Professional Responsibility
- Real Property
- Remedies
- Torts
- Trusts
- Wills and Succession
2. 1 Performance Test (PT) – 90 minutes
- Tests practical lawyering skills (e.g., writing a memo, client letter, or brief)
- Based on a “closed universe” of facts and legal materials
Day 2 – Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
200 multiple-choice questions (divided into two 3-hour sessions)
Subjects tested (national scope):
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
California Bar Exam Syllabus (Combined)
MBE Subjects (Multiple-Choice):
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
California Essay Subjects (State-specific):
- Community Property
- Business Associations (Agency, Partnerships, Corporations)
- Trusts
- Wills & Succession
- Remedies
- Professional Responsibility
- Additional applications of the 7 MBE subjects
Scoring System
- Total score needed to pass: 1390 out of 2000
- Essay + PT portion: 50%
- MBE portion: 50%
- No separate pass/fail on each section — combined total matters.
Exam Dates
The California Bar Exam is conducted twice a year:
| Exam Session | Application Window | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| February | October – January | Last Tuesday & Wednesday of February |
| July | March – May | Last Tuesday & Wednesday of July |
Next Exam:
- July 2025 – Likely dates: July 29–30, 2025 (Tues–Wed)
(Official confirmation by the State Bar of California expected soon)
Registration Process
1. Register with the State Bar of California.
2. Submit a Bar Exam Application during the open window.
3. Pay the exam fees:
- Exam Fee: ~$677
- Laptop fee (optional): ~$153
4. For foreign applicants: Apply for Evaluation of Legal Education and possibly the First-Year Law Students’ Exam (Baby Bar).
5. Receive admission ticket and instructions for exam day.
Preparation Tips
Study for 3–6 months using:
- Bar review courses (Barbri, Themis, Kaplan)
- Practice essays and performance tests
- MBE prep (e.g., Adaptibar, UWorld)
- Take timed mock exams
- Focus on issue spotting, organisation, and clear legal reasoning
Conclusion
The California Bar Exam is one of the most challenging legal tests in the world, requiring not only legal knowledge but also endurance, clarity, and the ability to reason under pressure. Whether you are a US law graduate or an international candidate, hard preparation and clever approach can help you realise your dream of practising law in California.
