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This article is written by Tinkle Chawla, a graduate from Panjab University, Chandigarh and edited by Satyaki Deb (Associate, iPleaders) and Vanshika Kapoor (Senior Managing Editor, Blog iPleaders). This article will provide information relating to the important facts and details of the California Bar Exam. It will cover the details relating to important dates, steps to fill in the application fees, eligibility criteria, syllabus, career options after passing the exam, exam results and all the necessary guidelines in an exhaustive manner for the convenience of the concerned applicants.

Introduction 

Preparing for the bar exam is one of the most important steps you will take in your career as an aspiring lawyer. It’s a nerve-wracking process, yet rewarding if you prepare thoroughly. You will need plenty of time to study and review both national and California laws before taking the exam. 

Undoubtedly, passing this exam is a herculean task, but with the right guidance, perseverance and hard work you can pass the exam with excellent results. This exam will get you one step closer towards achieving your goal and becoming a part of the prestigious legal fraternity. Thus, proper strategy with proper planning is the key to success in the exam.

Let us learn more about the California bar exam in detail. Also this article will help you to know the career opportunities available after acing the exam.

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What is the California Bar Exam

The California Bar Exam is considered to be one of the toughest and most challenging Bar exams in comparison with the other States’ Bar exam. According to the National Conference for Bar Examiners, the average pass rate for the February 2022 Bar exam was 45%, which in general reaches about 70% in other less populous states. The reason behind such a low pass rate could be the high cut-off mark which is 1390, which is above the national median cut score of 1350. However, prior to 2020, this cut-off was even higher reaching 1440. So, if you are preparing for the California Bar exam, you must be well prepared and this article will help you learn everything you need to know about this exam. It provides an insight into all the important facts pertaining to the exam such as the important dates, deadlines, the eligibility criteria, the syllabus, the pattern of the exam, the application procedure and the payment policy.

You may check the previous year’s bar exam marks, i.e., of February 2022 and July 2022 for a better understanding of the statistics of the passing rate. 

California Bar Exam

Pattern of the California Bar Exam 

The California Bar Exam is for those candidates who want to become a lawyer and practice in California. This exam assesses if a candidate is competent to practise law in California.

The exam consists of three unique parts:

  1. Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)
  2. Essay questions
  3. Multistate Performance Test (MPT)

The MBE consists of 200 MCQs which are related to various subjects of law such as criminal law, torts, contracts, constitutional law, civil procedure and so on, as given in the syllabus portion below.

The essay portion consists of 5 essays of one hour each. 

The Multistate Performance Test (MPT) is a 90-minute performance test that requires examinees to: 

  1. Sort detailed factual materials and separate relevant from irrelevant facts,
  2. Analyse statutory, case, and administrative materials for applicable principles of law,
  3. And the other areas, as discussed in the later part of the article in detail.

The Indian lawyers who take the California Bar Exam and clear it can get access to a wide range of opportunities and benefits that the legal industry of California has to offer. Passing the exam provides Indian lawyers with the golden opportunity to practise in one of the most diverse and dynamic states in the United States. 

Reciprocity

Acceptance of MBE Score

California does not accept an MBE score from an exam taken in another jurisdiction.

In this exam, all the parts of the exam have to be taken up together, therefore, taking up the parts of the exam separately is not an option.

Admission on Motion

California does not provide for admission on motion. Examination is required of all applicants. Attorneys who have been licensed in another jurisdiction for four years may be eligible to sit for the attorney exam (written exam only).

Particulars of the California Bar Exam

The table below clearly states the various particulars of the California Bar Exam.

ParticularsDetails
Exam NameCalifornia Bar Exam
Exam Type2 day exam
Exam Fees$677 (INR 55,345.09)
Attorney Exam fee$983 (INR 80,360.74)
Official websitehttps://www.calbar.ca.gov/

Mentioned below is a table which shows the parts of the California Bar Exam along with the duration and the number of questions asked for each exam.

Parts No. of questionsTime duration
Performance TestTwo separate sets of materials, with instructions on the tasks to be performed90 minutes
Essay Questions5One hour each
Multistate Bar Examination200Two 3-hour sessions

Details of the California Bar Exam 

How the exam takes place:

The California Bar exam takes place over a span of two days.

Day 1

  • Three 60-minute essay questions (in the AM)
  • Two 60-minute essay questions (in the PM)
  • One 90-minute Performance Test (in the PM)

Day 2

  • Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), a 200-question, multiple-choice exam (100 questions in the AM, 100 questions in the PM)

California Bar Exam for Indian lawyers

For foreign-trained lawyers who wish to pursue a legal career, California is one of the most favourable places to practise law. An Indian lawyer with a licence to practise in India can take the California Bar Exam in the United States of America. Law is one of the most competitive career options in California and also one of the most difficult exams to clear for most foreign-trained lawyers. 

The California Bar Exam is the gateway to managing the admission of lawyers to practise law, keep in check any kind of professional misconduct, perform investigation, if needed, adapt appropriate discipline and accept fees of the attorney. 

Even though the exam is one of the most challenging exams in the United States of America, it is still very rewarding.

The exam happens twice each year in the months of February and July. It is conducted within the span of two days.

Important dates and deadlines, 2023

Exam NameExam Date/sAvailability for ApplicationDeadlineFinal Deadline
July 2023 CBXJuly 25-26, 2023March 01, 2023April 03, 2023June 01, 2023
October 2023 FYLSXOctober 24, 2023July 07, 2023Aug 01, 2023Sept 15, 2023
October 2023 CLSXOctober 24, 2023Aug 01, 2023Aug 15, 2023Sept 15, 2023

The full form of the terms used in the above table is mentioned below:

CBX stands for California Bar Examination:

The California Bar Exam is for those candidates who want to become a lawyer in California. This exam assesses if a candidate is competent to practise law in California.

CLSX stands for Certified Legal Specialist Exam:

It is a one-day test given remotely in October every odd-numbered year. An applicant seeking State Bar legal specialisation certification must first take this exam.

FYLSX stands for First Year Law Students’ Exam:

FYLSX or “baby bar” is a one-day test that is offered twice a year, in June and October. Law students completing their first year of law study in a juris doctor degree at a State Bar registered law school or through the Law Office Study Program must take this exam after completing their first year of law study. 

California Bar Exam

Expected date for the California Bar Exam, 2024

Most probably, the chances are that the application for the February 2024 Bar Exam will begin on “October 01, 2023”, and the fee as prescribed by the National Conference for Bar Examiners will be assessed from that period.

There is a reduction in the number of testing locations for the February 2024 exam as stated by the Board, through its Executive Committee, held on August 10, 2023. The testing centre locations will be posted when the application for the February Bar Exam opens on October 01, 2023.

Important notice if you are planning to appear for the California Bar Exam in 2024

The State Bar has decided on an increase in the fee structure which will be adopted by the State Bar Board of Trustees during its September 21-22 meeting. The proposal that was circulated for public comment through July 31, 2023, proposed to increase the exam fee for non-attorneys from $677 to $850. For attorneys, the proposal is to increase the exam fee from $983 to $1,500. However, these fee amounts do not include the laptop fee or any late fees, the amounts of which remain unchanged. The application for the February 2024 bar exam is expected to open on October 1, 2023. The fee adopted by the Board will be assessed as of that date.

On August 10, 2023, the Board, through its Executive Committee, approved reducing the number of testing locations for the February 2024 bar exam. The testing centre locations will be posted when the application for the February 2024 bar exam opens on October 1.

Eligibility criteria for the California Bar Exam

There are certain criteria for the eligibility to sit in the California Bar Examination, which are as follows:

  1. If the candidate is a qualified lawyer in their home country, then they can sit for the California Bar Exam. 
  2. If the candidates have a law degree but it is not licensed, then they can also sit for the California Bar Exam.
  3. If the candidate has completed their LLM with at least 20 credits at an American Bar Association (ABA) or California-accredited school, they are eligible for this exam.
  • As a part of the 20 credits, the candidates must take a professional responsibility class that covers professional conduct as per the ABA Model Rules and federal and state case law on the subject.
  • The student must have taken at least 3 classes in subjects that appear on the bar exam.

Syllabus for the California Bar Exam

The Indian students who want to make their career as a lawyer and are going to take the California Bar Exam must be aware of the entire syllabus of the exam. The syllabus will give an idea of the subjects to be prepared for the California Bar Exam. The syllabus of the exam is mentioned below:

  1. Civil Procedure (Federal* and California)
  2. Constitutional Law*
  3. Criminal Law and Procedure*
  4. Professional Responsibility
  5. Remedies
  6. Trusts
  7. Business Associations (including Agency, Partnership, LLCs and Corporations)
  8. Community Property (Real Property*)
  9. Contracts* 
  10. Evidence (Federal* and California)
  11. Real Property*
  12. Torts*
  13. Wills and Succession

Note: 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 detailed syllabus of each subject is discussed below:

Civil Procedure

This law is related to how the cases get into the court and how they work through trials and appeals. The candidates need to be well versed with both federal and Californian laws surrounding the civil procedure and be able to talk about the differences between them.

Few previous years’ essay questions:

Here are a few essay questions with student answers that is recommended that you practise to get exposed to some highly tested topics in Civil Procedure:

Constitutional Law

In this, the candidates will be tested on their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and how it is executed and applied to real-world situations.

Few previous years’ essay questions:

Here are a few essay questions with student answers that are recommended that you practise to get exposure to some highly tested topics in Constitutional Law essay questions:

  • July 2019 Constitutional Law essay (combined with Remedies): This essay covers the standing of an organisation, ripeness, mootness, the Free Exercise Clause, the Establishment Clause, and free speech (see essay question #2 on the exam).
  • July 2018 Constitutional Law essay: This essay covers the Dormant Commerce Clause, the Privileges and Immunities Clause of Article IV, the Equal Protection Clause, the substantive Due Process Clause, and the Contracts Clause (see essay question #5 on the exam).
  • February 2018 Constitutional Law essay: This essay covers the Establishment Clause, the Free Exercise Clause, the Equal Protection Clause, and the substantive Due Process Clause (see essay question #2 on the exam).

Criminal Law and Procedure

It covers all the details of criminal law and procedure from trial to appeal. The student has to understand the implications of charges and police conduct and how it may affect admission of evidence, criminal convictions and release, and sentencing.

Few previous years’ essay questions:

Here are a few essay questions with student answers that are recommended that you practise to get exposure to some highly tested topics in Criminal Law and Procedure essay questions:

Professional Responsibility

Professional Responsibility is one of the most daunting subjects on the California Bar Exam. Not only is it always tested in some form on the exam (either on the essay portion or the performance test), but it sometimes shows up more than once on a given exam and is often combined with other subjects.

Additionally, examinees are expected to know both the California ethics rules (found in the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar and in the State Bar Act, which is found in the California Business and Professions Code) and the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC). (This guide will refer to the California ethics rules as the “California rules” and the ABA MRPC as the “ABA rules.”)

Few previous years’ essay questions

Here are a few essay questions with student answers that are recommended that you practise to get exposure to some highly tested topics in Professional Responsibility essay questions:

  • February 2021 Professional Responsibility exam: This essay applies the ABA and California rules and covers payment for recommending a lawyer’s services, solicitation, sharing fees with a nonlawyer, forming a partnership with a nonlawyer, concurrent conflicts of interest, sexual relationship with the client, duty of competence, diligence, fee agreements, duty to report another lawyer, and California rule concerning threats to an attorney (see essay question #4 on the exam).
  • October 2020 Professional Responsibility essay: This essay applies the ABA and California rules and covers concurrent conflicts of interest, fairness to opposing counsel, decisions to be made by lawyer and client, the duty of competence, diligence, the duty of candour, and mandatory vs. permissive withdrawal (see essay question #1 on the exam).
  • February 2020 Professional Responsibility essay: This essay applies the ABA and California rules and covers fee agreements, concurrent conflict of interests, the duty of loyalty to an organisation, communication with unrepresented persons, and truthfulness in statements to others (see exam question #2 on the exam).
California Bar Exam

Remedies

Tort, Contract, and other legal areas allow the person who has been mistreated, a chance to get a remedy through the judicial process and the California Bar Exam tests whether a candidate is well-versed in such matters. The tested remedies include injunctions, compensatory damages, restitution, and punitive damages. Hence, the candidates must be aware of the aforesaid remedies.

Few previous years’ essay questions: 

Here are a few essay questions with student answers that are recommended that you practise to get exposure to some highly tested topics in Remedies essay questions:

  • February 2021 Remedies essay (combined with Contracts): This essay applies the UCC and covers contract formation, the Statute of Frauds, the perfect-tender rule, warranties, revocation of acceptance, expectations, compensatory damages, and rescission (see essay question #2 on the exam).
  • July 2017 Remedies essay: This essay applies general law and covers TROs, preliminary injunctions, specific performance, unclean hands, misrepresentation, and unilateral and mutual mistakes (see essay question #3 on the exam).

Business Associations

The lawyers must prepare to give answers about the issues regarding the Business Associations, including Corporations, Partnerships including General Partnerships, Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships, Joint Ventures, Sole Proprietorships Limited Liability Companies, and the concept of Agency.

Few previous years’ essay questions: 

 Here are a few essays to practise:

Community Property

Community property on the California Bar Exam is generally tested under a number of different circumstances. Here’s what you should look out for:

  1. Identifying the end of the marital community
  2. Drawing the line between separate and community property
  3. Quasi-community property is often tested by the examiners and you should be aware of fact patterns that include this concept.

Test-takers should be on the lookout for these types of facts.

For instance, most essays have a “Husband” and “Wife” character beginning with the letters “H” and “W” (e.g., Herb and Wanda, Henry and Wilma, etc.). So, if you see “H” and “W” characters on a California Bar Exam essay, that should be your cue that you are reading a Community Property question.

Community Property generally is tested on its own rather than with another subject. However, Community Property has been combined with Trusts, Wills, and Professional Responsibility.

Contracts

Contracts are regularly tested on the California Bar Exam. Given below are a few of the highly tested contract topics

a. Contract formation (Offer, Acceptance and Consideration)

b. the parol evidence rule: The parol evidence rule is an issue when a party is trying to add a term from preliminary negotiations (or a contemporaneous oral term) to a final (integrated) written agreement. If the writing is a complete integration, no terms will be admitted. If it is a partial integration, consistent terms will be admitted. 

c. performance duties under Common law 

Few previous years’ essay questions:

Some of the highly tested essay topics on contracts are as follows:

July 2018 Contracts essay: This essay covers the UCC, anticipatory repudiation vs. prospective inability to perform, waiver of a condition, contract modification, demand for adequate assurances, and damages.

Evidence

The candidates must know the difference between federal and state laws surrounding the discovery and use of evidence.

Few previous years’ essay questions:

Here are a few essay questions with student answers that we recommend you practise to get exposed to some highly tested topics in Evidence essay questions:

  • February 2021 Evidence essay: This essay applies the CEC and covers relevance, lay witness testimony, examination at trial, impeachment, policy exclusions, bias, character evidence, MIMIC, privileges, hearsay, hearsay exclusions, and hearsay exceptions (see essay question #1 on the exam).
  • February 2020 Evidence essay: This essay applies the CEC and covers Proposition 8, relevance, hearsay, hearsay exclusions, hearsay exceptions, authentication, privileges, lay witness testimony, and impeachment (see essay question #4 on the exam).
  • February 2019 Evidence essay (combined with Civil Procedure): This essay applies the FRE and covers relevance, policy exclusions, hearsay, hearsay exclusions, hearsay exceptions, expert witness testimony, and impeachment (see essay question #4 on the exam).

Real Property

Real property comprises people’s right to interests in land or real property and tangible personal property which also includes leases, mortgages, easements, liens, and foreclosure processes. The applicant must be aware of these concepts and prepare thoroughly.

Few previous years’ essay questions:

Here are a few essay questions with student answers that are recommended that you practise to get exposure to some highly tested topics in Real Property essay questions:

  • February 2021 Real Property essay: This essay covers easements, real covenants, and equitable servitudes (see essay question #5 on the exam).
  • October 2020 Real Property essay: This essay covers fee simple absolutes, joint tenancies, adverse possession, sharing rent received from tenants, and paying taxes (see essay question #3 on the exam).
  • February 2019 Real Property essay: This essay covers a tenancy for years, the effect of the tenant’s failure to pay rent, the covenant of quiet enjoyment, breach of the implied warranty of habitability, surrender, waiver, and the landlord’s duty to make repairs (see essay question #3 on the exam).
California Bar Exam

Torts

In torts, it includes carelessness and other types of private harm, such as animal attacks, auto accidents, nuisances etc. The lawyers will need to know both California and national principals.

Few previous years’ essay questions:

Here are a few essay questions with student answers that are recommended that you practise to get exposure to some highly tested topics in Torts essay questions:

  • February 2019 Torts essay: this essay covers strict liability, negligence, premises liability, contributory negligence, comparative negligence, and assumption of the risk (see essay question #2 on the exam).
  • July 2017 Torts essay: this essay covers negligence, negligence per se, defences to negligence, strict liability, and joint and several liability (see essay question #5 on the exam).

Wills and Succession and Trust

The applicants must understand the workings of the wills and trusts, how they are created and used and how the probate code of California works.

The complete syllabus is as follows:

Division 6 Wills and Intestate Succession 

Part 1. Will

  • Chapter 1. General Provisions, Sections 6100, 6101, 6104, 6105
  • Chapter 2. Execution of Wills, Sections 6110-6114
  • Chapter 3. Revocation and Revival, Sections 6120, 6120, 6123

Part 2. Intestate Succession, Sections 6400-6402

Division 11. Construction of Wills, Trusts and Other Instruments

Part 1. Rules of Interpretation of Instruments, Sections 21106, 21109, 21110

Part 6. Family Protection: Omitted Spouses and Children [for decedents dying on or after January 1, 1998]

  • Chapter 2. Omitted Spouses, Sections 21610-21613
  • Chapter 3. Omitted Children, Sections 21620-2162

Few previous years’ essay questions on Wills:

Here are a few essay questions with student answers that are recommended that you practise to get exposure to some highly tested topics in Wills essay questions:

Few previous years’ essay questions on Trusts:

Here are a few essay questions with student answers that are recommended that you practise to get exposed to some highly tested topics in Trusts essay questions:

  • February 2019 Trusts essay (combined with Wills and Community Property): This essay applies general law and covers revocable trusts and a creditor’s ability to reach trust property (see essay question #1 on the exam)
  • February 2016 Trusts essay (combined with Wills although not classified as such): This essay applies general law and covers the creation of trusts, pour over wills, A trustee’s refusal to serve, revocation of trusts, the duty of loyalty, the duty of care, the duty of prudence, the duty to account, the duty of impartiality, the Uniform Prudent Investor Act (UPIA), co-trustee standing, and when a beneficiary violates terms of a trust (see essay question #1 on the exam).

Parts of the California Bar Exam in detail

By now, we know that the California Bar Exam consists of three parts:

  1. Performance Test
  2. Essay Questions
  3. Multistate Bar Examination

Performance Test

The duration of the Performance test is 90 minutes. In this test, a factual problem that involves a client is given and the ability of the candidate to handle such a situation is evaluated.

Few tips to study for the Performance Test:

  • Read the Task Memo first.
  • Keep in mind the jurisdiction in the Performance Test is based.
  • First master the highly tested tasks and prioritise your views.
  • You must know how to format highly tested tasks.
  • Practise using a timer 
  • Tally your score and self-grade yourself.

Essay Questions

The section consists of five easy questions. The purpose of testing these questions is to evaluate the ability of the applicant to analyse the legal issues which arise from the facts given or the patterns stated.

Few tips while writing an essay:

One should not forget the IRAC technique, i.e., Issue, Rule, Analysis and Conclusion

The best way to use IRAC on an essay exam is as follows:

  • By creating a heading that is underlined and briefly identifies the issues, e.g., Battery.
  • State the applicable rule(s).
  • Apply the law to the facts and analyse arguments on both sides (when appropriate).
  • Arrive at and state a conclusion to the issue. Even if there are valid arguments on both sides, you should still try to arrive at a conclusion.

Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)

The MBE is conducted by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). The Exam consists of 200 MCQs which will be conducted in two three-hour sessions for a total of six hours. The candidates will be tested on the following seven subjects which are:-

  • Constitutional Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Real Property
  • Civil Procedure
  • Contracts
  • Evidence
  • Torts

Few tips to study for Multistate Bar Examination: 

  • Learn and memorise the law.
  • Focus on the highly tested topics.
  • Answer questions one by one when you are trying to improve your MBE score. 
  • Practice answering MBE questions using a timer.
  • Use released bar exam questions.
  • Write down whenever you forget the law.
  • Know your weaknesses.
  • Never ignore the written portion of the exam.
  • Don’t try to complete 100 questions in a hurry in order to increase your MBE score.

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MRPE) 

To practise law in California, the candidate must not only pass the California Bar Exam but they have to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) also. 

This is a two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice examination that is held three times a year. It was developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). 

The MRPE is required for admissions to the bars of all but two US jurisdictions (Wisconsin and Puerto Rico).

After the registration is complete, applicants can choose to take the MPRE anytime after the completion of their first year of law school. For this, they can register with the State Bar.

Click here to learn more about the MPRE.

How to apply for the California Bar Exam

The Indian Lawyers who want to take the California Bar Exam have to fill out the application form for the examination. Below are the steps to fill out the application form: 

  • Visit the official website of the California Bar Exam.
  • Log in to the Applicant Portal.
  • Click on the menu option.
  • Then click on ‘View Forms’.
  • After that, select the ‘California Bar Examination Application’ under the ‘Examinations’ menu.
  • To start the filling process, click ‘Launch Application.’
  • Fill in all the required details.
  • Once all the details are filled, a verification tick box will appear. 
  • Click on the submit button.
  • Then the declaration form will appear on the screen.
  • After signing the declaration form, make the payment. 
  • Then, you will receive the confirmation mail once the application form has been submitted.

Payment Policies

  1. Payments via cards:

Payments can be made via cards such as credit cards or debit cards and a processing fee of 2.5 percent will be added to all charges. In case of any failure, you will have to provide another Mastercard, Visa, American Express or Discover card for successful submission.

  1. Payment by other methods:

You may also make payments by a method in which there is no processing fee associated with payment by ACH.

To do so, you will need your Bank Routing Number and Bank Account Number.

However, a period of approximately seven days, i.e., a week, is taken to process such payments.

And if within those seven days, the payment is returned, your application will be considered incomplete. The reasons could be any, such as insufficient funds or any other valid reason. But it can be completed by making replacement payments along with service charges.

However, a $20 service charge will be applicable for all the declined payments, which will be given priority at the time of resubmission. The application deadline will be enforced if the payment is not made within the given deadlines.

Refund of Fees policy

As per the State Bar policies, refunds will only be provided for the withdrawal of any of the following applications:

  • If you are filing a registration form
  • If you are applying to take the California Bar Examination
  • If you are applying to take the First-Year Law Students’ Examination
  • If you are applying for a Determination of Moral Character
  • If you are applying to get the determination of Moral Character extended

However, prior registration is mandatory. The registration form may be filed simultaneously at the time of application.

If there is no approval within 10 days of receipt, then the application and fees will be returned.

Also, there will be no transfer of fees from one examination to another.

Withdrawal Request

In order to process a refund according to the schedule, you must send in a withdrawal request to the State Bar’s Office of Admissions through the Admissions Cal. Bar Admissions. All this must be done within the established deadlines.

However, stopping payment on a check, dishonouring a check, or disputing a credit card charge does not constitute withdrawing from an exam.

Withdrawal Request or Refund for the California Bar Exam/First-Year Law Students’ (FYLS) Exam

  1. A 30-days time period, after the last date of filing, is given to the applicants who applied for the first time and even the repeater applicants to request for withdrawal and any refund. However, a 60 percent refund of all fees paid in consonance with the subject exam will be honoured.
  2. If there is any delay made by the first-time applicants for withdrawal of applications and refunds, say 45 days after the last date of filing, then there will be a 30 percent refund of all fees paid in consonance with the subject exam. 
  3. This criterion is applicable to all the applicants, be they the ones who have previously taken an exam recently or any time prior.
  4. For the repeater applicants, if any requests for withdrawal of applications and refunds are received within 35 days after the last date of filing, then there will be a 30 percent refund of all fees paid in consonance with the subject exam.

However, refunds will not be considered for:

  1. Requests for refunds filed in excess of 35 days after the last date of filing, by applicants seeking to repeat the exam, having been unsuccessful on the exam immediately preceding the exam into which current admission was sought.
  2. Requests for refunds are filed more than 45 days after the last date of filing, by first-time applicants and applicants who have previously taken an exam but not a recent one.

Withdrawal of applications for the determination of Moral Character 

Any requests for withdrawal of applications for the determination of Moral Character, if received within 30 days of the last submission date, will be entertained with a 60 percent refund of all fees paid in consonance with the aforesaid application.

After 30 days, no request for a refund will be entertained.

Ineligibility in case of registration/examination

The applicants must check all the eligibility criteria before applying. In case, they lack in criteria, say the pre-legal education, which is the top criterion, then they will be qualified for a 100 percent refund of all fees paid.

Attorneys’ exam

  • In order to process an Attorney’s Exam refund due to ineligibility and also as per the schedule, there must be submission of certified transcripts or certificate(s) of good standing with the State Bar’s Office of Admissions. It must be done within the established deadlines published to avoid any hassle or rejections.
  • Whereas the applicants who applied to take the Attorneys’ Exam, if they are found to be ineligible due to paucity of any requisite qualifications, then they will receive a 60 percent refund of the fees paid.

General Bar Exam

  • Applicants who apply for the General Bar Exam and are found to be ineligible due to paucity of any requisite legal education may also apply for a refund. But, they will receive a 60 percent refund of the qualifying fees paid.

First-Year Law Students’ Exam

  • If there is any ineligibility found due to a lack of the requisite legal education in the applicants who want to take the First-Year Law Students’ Exam, then they will receive a 60 percent refund of qualifying fees paid.

Death or physical incapacity

In the case of any death or physical incapacity, if any refund is claimed, then an amount of 95 percent of all fees paid in conjunction with the subject exam will be made. This will be done according to the schedule.

The refunds, in the case of physical incapacity, will only be made in cases of severe unavoidable and incapacitating circumstances. 

Any request for a refund must be accompanied by the relevant documents for quick approval.

The conditions that may prevent an applicant from taking the First-Year Law Students’ Exam or the Bar Exam are listed in the schedule below:

  1. In the situation of any Death, or injury (either serious or disabling injury) that takes place of a member of the applicant’s immediate family after the submittal of an application for the exam but before the administration of the exam and also that information about  death, illness, or injury is certified on the Committee’s Request for Refund of Fees Form or verified through the provision of a copy of the death certificate;
  2. If the applicant is inflicted with any serious illness, or injury, or weakening condition that occurred after the submittal of an application for the exam but before the exam is administered and that illness, or injury, or condition is certified on the refund form under penalty of perjury; and
  3. Occurrences that are calamitous in nature that happen with the applicant such as loss of freedom due to terrorist acts or disorientation due to fire, flood, or other severe disaster, over which the applicant had no control, and the existence of which had not terminated 30 days or less before the administration of the subject exam.

Service in the Armed Forces

If an applicant belongs to the armed forces, there might be situations when he/ she would find it impossible to either take the exam or prepare for it. The situation might be as follows:

  1. If the applicant is called for active duty in the armed forces in case of any emergency; or
  2. There is an unanticipated change in military orders.

To avoid any kind of unfairness with these applicants, there will be a good refund made in the amount of 95 percent of all fees paid in conjunction with the subject exam so that they do not get demotivated to apply again in future. 

Application abandonment

In general, registration will be considered approved when all the requisite formalities are fulfilled such as the appropriate fees, properly sized signature, duly executed declaration, and all documentation.

Whereas, if the status of the registrations is not brought to approval within 60 days of receipt then that registration will be considered as abandoned.

The conditions under which the First-Year Law Students’ Exam and Bar Exam applications will be deemed abandoned are as follows:

(1) signature not provided, 

(2) due declarations not received, 

(3) fees not received or incomplete,

(4) incomplete applications, and 

(5) registrations that are approved are not mentioned in the record. 

(6) any fee payments made after the last date of filing will render those applications to be abandoned.

Thus, the applications will not be brought to a complete and filed status by the final filing deadline.

(7) if the eligibility determinations are not met.

(8) Moral character determination applications that are not brought to a complete status within 60 days of the last date of filing will be deemed abandoned. 

This includes the improper fees, signature, or any requisite documentation. 

Once the moral character determination application is in submitted status, if the applicant receives notice to provide information, but does not provide such information within 90 days of the request, the application will be abandoned.

In all such situations, there will be no refund of fees. 

However, If the registration or application has an outstanding balance at the time of the abandonment, the outstanding balance must be paid before any future registration or application is processed.

Net refund amount

In accordance with the Refund of Fees Policy, if an applicant becomes eligible for a refund and has an outstanding balance due for subject registration, application, or other transactions, then there will be a set-off between the qualifying refund amount and the corresponding portion of the fees owed or balance due for other transactions. That is, the refund amount will be deducted from that portion of the fees corresponding to it.

Exam results

The results of the California Bar Exam are released about 12 to 14 weeks after the February exam takes place and 16 to 18 weeks after the July exam happens. Candidates can check the results through the Applicant portal by visiting the official website which is https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/exam/default.aspx.

There is a difference in the presentation of the results when the applicants fail or pass. For instance, when the applicants fail the exam, they receive the grades mentioned with the written answers as well as their MBE-scaled score. 

Also, their answer files are posted in the Applicant Portal. It is done as soon as the exam results are posted. However, successful applicants do not receive their grades mentioned along with the written answers. Just the MBE score will be mentioned.

How to prepare for the California Bar Exam 

The preparation may take months. Therefore, you must start looking at various factors which surround the exam, such as

  1. What legal topics does the bar exam cover?
  • The syllabus has been discussed in detail above.
  1. How is the exam graded? 
  2. Look for previous year’s questions and answers
  3. What is scaling?

How is the exam graded

There are two exams namely, 

  1. General Bar Examination, and
  2.  Attorneys’ Examination. 

Which comprises the California Bar Examination.

The General Bar Exam is divided into parts as follows:

  1. five essay questions, 
  2. the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), and 
  3. one performance test (PT). 

The parts of the exam may not be taken separately, and California does not accept the transfer of MBE scores from other jurisdictions.

Whereas the Attorneys’ Exam consists of essay questions and performance tests. 

Essay questions

  1. The motive behind the essay questions is to evaluate the legal analysis aptitude of the candidate, under a given situation. Each essay question is required to be completed in one hour.
  2. The expectation is that the applicant is able to analyse the facts in the question, point out the material facts and immaterial facts separately, and mention the law points and factual data separately. 
  3. The answer must show the expertise, skill, knowledge and understanding of the particular principles and theories of law and their relationships to each other. They must also understand the limitations and mention them accordingly.
  4. The answer should be in such a way that it represents the applicant’s capability to apply the law to the given facts and to reason in a logical and professional manner from the methodology adopted and come to a sound conclusion. 

Merely showing how well the legal principles are remembered will not be enough. Rather how well the demonstration of those principles is done will be checked.

Performance Test

The time duration of the Performance Test (PT) questions is 90 minutes.

PT is designed to judge an applicant’s ability to handle a selected number of legal authorities in the context of a factual problem that involves a client. 

It consists of two separate sets of materials:

  1. a document and 
  2. A collection,

These materials act as a manual advising the applicant on the task(s) to be performed. In addition to this, PT questions require applicants to: 

  1. Go through the detailed factual material and separate relevant from irrelevant facts, assess the consistency and reliability of facts, and determine the need for and source of additional facts; 
  2. Analyse the legal rules and principles applicable to a problem and formulate legal theories from facts that may be only partly known and are being developed;
  3. Recognize and resolve ethical issues arising in practical situations; 
  4. Apply problem-solving skills to diagnose a problem, generate alternative solutions, and develop a plan of action; and 
  5. Communicate effectively, whether advocating, advising a client, eliciting information, or effectuating a legal transaction.

The result of the applicant’s performance test (PT) is graded on its compliance with the rules and instructions given and on its content, thoroughness, and presentation.

Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)

The MBE is developed and graded by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Grader calibration

There is a Committee of Bar Examiners that comprises approximately 150 experienced attorneys from which graders are selected for the purpose of each grading cycle. 

These graders are well-experienced and have an evaluation experience of at least five years. Few of them even have an experience of more than 10 years. Thus these graders are well-read and knowledgeable people who assess the answer sheets and grade them accordingly.

Six groups are selected to grade the essay and PT answers. These groups consist of experienced graders and up to four apprentice graders.  For the purpose of calibration, the groups convene at least three times early in the grading cycle. 

A member of the Examination Development and Grading Team and a member of the Committee supervise each group of graders.

The grading takes place in three sessions by the graders in order to reach a final and correct score, which is discussed in detail below;

1. At the first session, the graders discuss what answers to accept for the questions i.e. go through a set of sample answers and have an intense discussion on it to maintain parallelism. These sample answers are written by a sample of the applicant pool which they receive prior to the session.

  • After this discussion, each grader is allotted 15 copies of answers submitted for the current exam. They begin assessing it by reading and then assigning a grade to the first answer in the set. The group then discusses the same before arriving at a consensus, and the process is repeated for each answer in the set. 
  • After reaching a consensus on the set of 15 books, the graders independently read a new set of 25 answers. This time there is no further group discussion. They assess and submit grades for analysis and review at the second calibration session.

2. At the second session, there is a discussion about the first meeting regarding the results. Whenever there is disagreement on any of the answers, they re-read it and resolve the differences through further discussion. 

With this, an additional set of 10 answer books are read and marked. Also, discussion takes place in order to reach a consensus. The groups are then given their first grading assignments.  

3. During the third calibration session, there is a review of the grading standards and 15 additional answer books are given. They read them as a group to ensure that they are still grading to the same standards.

Solely on the basis of the content of the response, the graders evaluate answers and assign the grades.

However, certain additional factors such as handwriting or the accuracy of spelling and grammar are totally irrelevant while grading an answer.

A specific code number is assigned to each answer. The graders know nothing about an individual, which ensures transparency and an unbiased nature of the grading procedure

Based on the discussions of the panel and the set standards, graders assign rough scores to essay and performance test (PT) answers in five-point increments on a scale of 40 to 100. 

To earn a grade of 40, if the applicant is able to identify the subject of the question and apply the law to the facts of the question, then it fetches him a grade of 40.

Otherwise, the answer is assigned a zero, if these criteria are not met. 

Phased grading

All the applicants who have completed the entire exam, all of their answers are read at least once before reaching a conclusion.

After one reading, scores are already established as per the empirical studies to declare the result as either pass or fail. 

The applicants’ whose scores after the first read are near the required passing score, all answer books are read a second time, and scores of the first and second readings are averaged. Now this averaged score is used to make a second set of pass/fail decisions.

There is a minimum score required to pass the exam, as follows:

  1. In the first phase of grading, if an applicant has a total scale score (after one reading) of at least 1390 out of 2000 possible points, then the applicant is considered to have passed the exam. 
  2. Any total scale score after one reading below 1350 is considered a failure. 
  3. If the applicant’s total scale score is somewhere between 1350 and 1390 after one reading, that means there is scope for a second reading, but this time by a different set of graders.
  4.  If after two readings, the averaged total scale score is 1390 or higher, the applicant passes the exam. Applicants with averaged total scale scores of less than 1390 fail the exam.  

Reconsideration of grade

The Committee of Bar Examiners believes strongly in its grading methodology and administrative systems. By this system, the applicants can get a careful and detailed consideration of their answers which ensures a fair opportunity for each applicant and removes any kind of bias.

All scores are checked for any mathematical errors. This is done on its own as there is no such long procedure for this. All answers with scores after one reading are re-checked by a different set of graders. Also, a double check is done before the final release of grades, to avoid any mathematical errors. Thus, for these reasons, any kind of reconsideration is accepted only when it is accompanied by relevant documents as evidence, in case some clerical error resulted in failure or prevented the exam from being properly graded.

All requests for reconsideration of grades must be received by the Office of Admissions within two weeks after the release of exam results.

Previous years’ question papers for the California Bar Exam

To prepare well, you should go through the previous years’ question papers to study thoroughly. This way, you will know where you lack in your preparation and what you need to study more.

You may find the previous years’ question papers on the official website as mentioned below:

https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination/Past-Exams

Books one can refer to crack the California Bar Examination

There are a number of books that are available to prepare for the California Bar Exam. However, a few are listed below for reference:

  1. 2023 California Bar Exam Total Preparation Book
  2. The Bar Exam in a Nutshell by Suzanne Darrow- Kleinhaus
  3. Bar Exam MPT preparation
  4. Essay Exam Writing for the California Bar Exam

Career options after passing the California Bar Exam for Indian lawyers

The candidates who are appearing for the California Bar exams have various career options after clearing the examination which are as follows:

  • The candidates can find employment at In House Counsel with a corporation as an attorney for the company.
  • After passing the exam the candidates can work as an Arbitrator or Mediator in any state.
  • Candidates can choose to become Law school professors, University or College professors for Law or even a paralegal.

Top 10 legal careers for Indian lawyers in California

The legal profession is one of the highest-paying jobs in California. Therefore, the legal profession attracts a lot of people in California as well as in the USA. Below are the top 10 legal careers for Indian Lawyers:

  • General Counsels
  • Mediators, Arbitrators or Conciliators
  • Litigation Support Roles
  • Legal Specialist Roles
  • International Organizations
  • Litigation and Trial Lawyers
  • Academia
  • Judge
  • Law Firm Consultant/ Legal Recruiter
  • Law Firm Administration

Words of motivation

The California Bar Exam, while challenging, is not impossible to pass. Making a feasible and practical timetable, to which you can stick, following the right approach and doing periodic revisions, can help you in getting through the first attempt itself.

Apart from this, consistency and perseverance are the key factors which will ultimately help you in reaching your goal.

It doesn’t matter even if you have been average in your studies, all you need is to trust yourself and start your preparation and keep following the strategy till the end. And yes, don’t forget the revisions.

Good Luck!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What subjects are tested in the California Bar Exam?

The subjects tested on the California Bar exam are Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, California Professional Responsibility, Agency, California Civil Procedure, Partnership, California Community Property, Corporations, California Wills and Succession, California Evidence, Contracts, Remedies, Trusts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Constitutional Law, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.

When are the California Bar Exam results released?

For the February session, results are released about 12-14 weeks after the session and 16-18 weeks after the July session.

How many times can anyone take the bar exam in California?

There is no limit to the number of times that a person can appear for the bar exam.

What is the passing score for the California Bar Exam?

If the score is over 1440, you automatically pass the California Bar Exam. If after one reading of your answers, your score is below 1390, you fail the exam and if it is above 1390 but less than 1440, you will get a “second read” by a different set of graders.

How long does it take to prepare for the California Bar Exam?

It varies from person to person, but you should give yourself around 6 months to go over everything you need to know.

How to pass the California Bar Exam in first attempt?

There is no shortcut to clear any exam but with a few points in mind, clearing the exam on the first attempt is not impossible. The guidelines one should follow while preparing are given below:

  • Understand what the California bar is testing and what is needed to pass.
  • Understand the issues being tested for each topic.
  • Memorise the laws for each topic.
  • Understand how to frame essay answers.
  • Practise as much as you can
  • Solve previous Year’s Question papers.

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