California Bar Exam
*Some applicants may also need the California First-Year Law Students’ Exam.
California Bar Exam Format
The California General Bar Exam is a non-UBE, jurisdiction-drafted exam. It takes two days and consists of five California essays, one California Performance Test (90 minutes), and the Multistate Bar Exam (“MBE”). California law is tested on the written portion. California will first administer the NextGen UBE in July 2028 (current format continues through the February 2028 administration). Confirm current rules with the State Bar and NCBE.
California Essays
Five essays (about one hour each). Scope is published by the State Bar and commonly includes Business Associations, Civil Procedure (CA and federal), Community Property, Constitutional Law, Contracts/Sales, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence (CA and federal), Professional Responsibility, Real Property, Remedies, Torts, Trusts, Wills and Succession, and selected UCC topics. See the current scope outline.
California Performance Test
One 90-minute California Performance Test (skills task with a File and Library).
MBE (Multiple Choice)
California uses the standard MBE.
MBE / UBE Score Transfer
California does not accept transferred MBE scores or portable UBE scores for the General Bar Exam.
California Bar Exam Testing Schedule
Day 1
Written session: California essays and the California Performance Test (confirm the published day schedule for the sitting you take).
Day 2
Morning – MBE Part I (100 questions; 3 hours)
Afternoon – MBE Part II (100 questions; 3 hours)
California Bar Exam Dates and Application
The exam is offered in February and July. Applications, fees, and deadlines are on the State Bar of California Admissions site (see the specific sitting page, e.g. July 2026).
Grading
Weight
Written component and MBE are each weighted 50% of the total score (confirm current grading materials).
Passing Score
The minimum passing score is 1390 out of 2000 (lowered from 1440 effective with the July 2020 exam). NextGen passing scores are TBA.
Pass Rates
Statistics are published by the State Bar under Admissions / Examinations.
Retaking the California Bar Exam
Unsuccessful applicants may reapply for a later sitting. Attorney applicants with qualifying practice may instead sit for the California Attorneys’ Exam (written only).