The bar exam given in California is considered the toughest in the country. It covers 14 subjects over two days and includes essay questions, multiple choice questions, and performance test assignments. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves the Bar Exam & Licensure Checklist from Day 1 of law school so that there are no surprises when it comes time to take the Bar Exam.
According to the California State Bar, the essay questions are "designed to measure an applicant's ability to analyze legal issues arising from fact situations. Answers are expected to demonstrate the applicant's ability to analyze the facts of the question, to tell the difference between material facts and immaterial facts, and to discern the points of law and fact upon which the question turns... The answer should evidence the applicant's ability to apply the law to the given facts and to reason in a logical, lawyer-like manner from the premises adopted to a sound conclusion. An applicant should not merely show that he/she remembers the legal principles, but should demonstrate his/her proficiency in using and applying them."
- Business Associations (including Agency, Partnership, LLCs and Corporations)
- Civil Procedure (Federal* and California)
- Community Property
- Constitutional Law*
- Contracts*
- Criminal Law*
- Criminal Procedure*
- Evidence (Federal* and California)
- Professional Responsibility
- Real Property*
- Remedies
- Torts*
- Trusts
- Wills
Subjects with an asterisk (*) are tested on both the essay and multiple-choice portions of the California Bar Exam. All other subjects are tested only on the essay portion of the exam. The State Bar of California's website contains a detailed descriptions of the subjects tested on the exam.
California Bar Exam Testing Accommodations
Testing accommodations are available to individuals with mental or physical disabilities as defined by the Rules of the State Bar of California. Information, general instructions and forms related to filing a petition for testing accommodations are available online at the State Bar of California's Testing Accommodations webpage.
If you are taking a bar exam outside of California, review the requirements of that state and contact them with any questions you have regarding the process.
Be aware that a state bar may have specific requirements regarding the recency of your provider's documentation.