200+ Free CA Bar Practice Questions
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Key Facts: CA Bar Exam
1390/2000
Minimum Passing Score
State Bar of California
200
MBE Questions (Day 2)
State Bar of California
5 essays + 1 PT
Written Components (Day 1)
State Bar of California
~40–54%
First-Time Pass Rate
State Bar of California reports
$850
General Exam Fee
State Bar of California (2026)
200+
Practice Questions Here
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The California Bar Exam requires a scaled passing score of 1390 out of 2000. Day 1 (written): 5 one-hour essay questions covering CA-specific and MBE subjects, plus one 90-minute Performance Test. Day 2 (MBE): 200 multiple-choice questions in two 3-hour sessions (100 questions each). California tests 13 subjects total — 7 MBE subjects plus Community Property, Business Associations, Professional Responsibility, Remedies, Trusts, and Wills. Community Property is a uniquely California subject heavily tested in essays. Pass rates range from ~40–54% for first-time takers.
About the CA Bar Exam
The California Bar Examination is a two-day exam testing both the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) subjects and California-specific essay topics. Day 1 features five essay questions and one Performance Test; Day 2 consists of 200 MBE multiple-choice questions. The exam is one of the most difficult bar exams in the United States, covering Torts, Contracts, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, Community Property, Business Associations, Professional Responsibility, Wills & Trusts, and Remedies.
Questions
200 scored questions
Time Limit
2 days (6.5 hrs written + 6 hrs MBE)
Passing Score
1390 out of 2000 (scaled)
Exam Fee
$850 (General) / $1,500 (Attorney Examination) (State Bar of California)
CA Bar Exam Content Outline
Torts
Negligence (duty, breach, causation, damages), intentional torts, strict liability, products liability, defamation, nuisance, and defenses (comparative negligence, assumption of risk)
Contracts
Contract formation, consideration, defenses (Statute of Frauds, impossibility, misrepresentation), conditions, breach, UCC Article 2 (goods/merchants), assignment, delegation, third-party beneficiaries
Civil Procedure
Subject matter jurisdiction (diversity, federal question, supplemental), personal jurisdiction, venue, pleading standards, discovery, summary judgment, Rule 50 motions, joinder, class actions, appeals
Constitutional Law
Judicial review, standing/justiciability, Commerce Clause, Due Process (substantive/procedural), Equal Protection (rational basis, intermediate, strict scrutiny), First Amendment, separation of powers
Criminal Law & Procedure
Homicide (murder degrees, felony murder, manslaughter), theft crimes, inchoate offenses, criminal defenses, Fourth Amendment (search and seizure), Fifth Amendment (Miranda), Sixth Amendment (right to counsel)
Evidence
Relevance, hearsay and its exceptions, character evidence, privileges (attorney-client, spousal, physician-patient), witness impeachment, authentication, best evidence rule, expert witnesses
Real Property + CA Subjects
Future interests, landlord-tenant, mortgages, adverse possession, easements and covenants, recording acts; plus Community Property, Business Associations, Professional Responsibility, Wills & Trusts, and Remedies
How to Pass the CA Bar Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 1390 out of 2000 (scaled)
- Exam length: 200 questions
- Time limit: 2 days (6.5 hrs written + 6 hrs MBE)
- Exam fee: $850 (General) / $1,500 (Attorney Examination)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CA Bar Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passing score for the California Bar Exam?
The California Bar Exam requires a scaled passing score of 1390 out of 2000. This score is derived from a combination of the MBE score (weighted 50%) and the written score from essays and the Performance Test (weighted 50%). The MBE itself consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, but only 175 are scored — 25 are unscored pretest items.
How is the California Bar Exam structured?
The California Bar Exam is administered over two days. Day 1 consists of written sessions: three essay questions in the morning (3 hours) and two essay questions plus one Performance Test in the afternoon (3.5 hours). Day 2 consists of the MBE: 100 multiple-choice questions in the morning (3 hours) and 100 more in the afternoon (3 hours). The exam is currently administered in person at designated testing sites.
What subjects are tested on the California Bar Exam?
The MBE portion tests seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. The essay portion can test all seven MBE subjects plus California-specific subjects: Community Property, Business Associations (Agency, Partnerships, Corporations), Professional Responsibility, Remedies, Trusts, and Wills & Succession.
What makes Community Property unique on the California Bar?
California is one of nine community property states. The Community Property subject is tested extensively in California bar essays but not on the MBE. Key rules include: all property acquired during marriage is presumed community property; separate property includes pre-marital assets, gifts, and inheritances; California requires a writing for transmutation of property characterization; and the Moore/Marsden rule applies when community funds are used to pay down separate property mortgages.
What is the pass rate for the California Bar Exam?
The California Bar Exam has one of the lowest pass rates in the United States. First-time taker pass rates typically range from 40% to 54% depending on the administration. Repeat taker pass rates are significantly lower, often in the 20-30% range. The February administration typically has higher pass rates than July for first-time ABA graduates.
How should I approach studying for the California Bar Exam?
Most successful candidates dedicate 8–12 weeks of full-time study (400–600 hours). Allocate study time proportionally: MBE subjects each need extensive practice with multiple-choice questions; California-specific subjects (especially Community Property) need rule memorization and issue spotting. Practice writing timed essays using IRAC format, and complete real Performance Tests. Taking at least 2,000+ MBE practice questions is essential for developing the issue recognition and analytical speed needed.