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Exam Review

Key Facts: VA Bar Exam

140/200

Minimum Passing Score

Virginia Board of Bar Examiners (VBBE)

60% / 40%

VA Portion / MBE Weight

VBBE

9 essays + 10 MC

Day 1 Virginia Questions

VBBE

78.50%

First-Time Pass Rate (July 2026)

VBBE statistics

$575

Exam Fee

VBBE (2026)

100+

Free Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep question bank

Virginia Bar Exam requires a scaled score of 140/200 (VA portion 60%, MBE 40%). Day 1: 9 Virginia essay questions (3 hours AM + 3 hours PM) testing VA-specific law, plus 10 Virginia MC questions. Day 2: 200 MBE questions in two 3-hour sessions. Virginia is a non-UBE state and a Dillon Rule state. Key Virginia-specific topics: contributory negligence (complete bar), deed of trust foreclosure, Dead Man's Statute, holographic wills, elective share, equitable distribution, six-month no-fault divorce option, and jury sentencing in criminal cases. In July 2026, 78.50% of first-time takers and 72.48% of all applicants passed.

Sample VA Bar Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the VA Bar exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Virginia law, which court has exclusive original jurisdiction over civil cases seeking more than $25,000 in damages?
A.Virginia General District Court
B.Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
C.Virginia Circuit Court
D.Virginia Court of Appeals
Explanation: Under Virginia Code § 16.1-77 and § 17.1-513, the circuit courts have exclusive original jurisdiction in civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000. General district courts handle civil cases up to $25,000.
2In Virginia, what is the statute of limitations for a personal injury action?
A.One year from the date of injury
B.Two years from the date of injury
C.Three years from the date of injury
D.Five years from the date of injury
Explanation: Under Virginia Code § 8.01-243(A), the statute of limitations for personal injury actions is two years from the date the cause of action accrues. This is shorter than many states, which allow three years.
3Virginia follows which standard for contributory negligence?
A.Pure comparative fault — plaintiff's recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault
B.Modified comparative fault — plaintiff recovers unless more than 50% at fault
C.Pure contributory negligence — any fault by the plaintiff bars recovery entirely
D.Slight/gross comparative fault — plaintiff recovers unless their negligence is gross
Explanation: Virginia is one of the few remaining states that follows the pure contributory negligence doctrine. Under Virginia common law, if the plaintiff is even 1% at fault, the plaintiff is completely barred from recovery. Virginia Code § 8.01-34 preserves this rule.
4Under Virginia's nonsuit statute, how many voluntary nonsuits may a plaintiff take as a matter of right?
A.None — the court must approve every nonsuit
B.One nonsuit as a matter of right
C.Two nonsuits as a matter of right
D.Unlimited nonsuits as a matter of right
Explanation: Under Virginia Code § 8.01-380, a plaintiff may take one nonsuit as a matter of right before the jury retires or the court begins to hear evidence in a non-jury trial. A second nonsuit requires court approval and a showing of good cause.
5In Virginia, service of process in a civil action must generally be completed within what time period after the complaint is filed?
A.60 days
B.90 days
C.One year
D.There is no specific time limit under Virginia law
Explanation: Under Virginia Code § 8.01-275.1, service of process must generally be completed within one year from the commencement of the action. If service is not timely made, the action may be dismissed without prejudice.
6Which of the following is true about Virginia's demurrer practice?
A.A demurrer challenges the sufficiency of the evidence at trial
B.A demurrer admits the truth of the facts alleged and tests whether they state a cause of action
C.A demurrer may be filed at any time during the litigation
D.A demurrer is only available to the plaintiff
Explanation: Under Virginia Supreme Court Rule 3:8, a demurrer is a pleading that admits the truth of all facts properly pleaded but asserts that those facts are insufficient to state a cause of action. It must be filed within 21 days after service of the pleading to which it responds.
7In Virginia, the plea in bar is most analogous to which federal procedural device?
A.A motion to dismiss under FRCP 12(b)(6)
B.A motion for summary judgment under FRCP 56
C.An affirmative defense raised in the answer under FRCP 8(c)
D.A demurrer
Explanation: The Virginia plea in bar raises factual defenses (such as the statute of limitations, res judicata, or accord and satisfaction) that, if proven, bar the plaintiff's claim. It requires an evidentiary hearing and is functionally similar to a federal motion for summary judgment under FRCP 56, as it resolves factual issues before trial.
8What is the standard for granting a motion craving oyer in Virginia?
A.The moving party must show that the document is relevant and material
B.A party may demand production of any document referenced in the opposing party's pleading
C.The moving party must demonstrate good cause and a specific need
D.Oyer is only available in criminal proceedings
Explanation: Under Virginia practice, a motion craving oyer allows a party to require the opposing party to produce a document referenced in their pleading so it becomes part of the record. This is unique to Virginia civil procedure and allows the document to be considered on demurrer.
9In Virginia, which of the following correctly describes the grounds for a change of venue?
A.A party may request a change of venue solely because a more convenient forum exists
B.Venue may be changed only upon a showing that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in the original venue
C.Venue in Virginia is never subject to change once properly laid
D.Only criminal defendants may seek a change of venue
Explanation: Under Virginia Code § 8.01-265, a change of venue in civil cases may be granted when it appears that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in the court where the action is pending. Virginia does not follow the federal forum non conveniens doctrine for intrastate transfers.
10Under Virginia law, what is the effect of a special plea of sovereign immunity filed by a local government entity?
A.It is treated as a demurrer and tested on the face of the complaint
B.It raises a factual defense that must be proven at an evidentiary hearing
C.Sovereign immunity is not available to local government entities in Virginia
D.It automatically results in dismissal without a hearing
Explanation: In Virginia, sovereign immunity for local government entities is raised as a plea in bar (special plea). It requires an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the employee was performing a governmental function and exercising judgment and discretion. The defense is not resolved on the pleadings alone.

About the VA Bar Exam

The Virginia Bar Examination is a two-day exam. Day 1 consists of 9 Virginia essay questions and 10 Virginia multiple-choice questions testing state-specific law. Day 2 is the 200-question Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). Virginia is a non-UBE state with a unique Day 1 format that heavily tests Virginia-specific topics including VA civil procedure, VA evidence, the Dillon Rule, domestic relations, wills/trusts/estates, professional responsibility, UCC Articles 2 and 9A, and creditor's rights. The passing score is 140 on a 200-point scale, with the Virginia portion weighted at 60% and the MBE at 40%.

Exam sponsor: Virginia Board of Bar Examiners (VBBE). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

219 questions

Time Limit

2 days (Day 1: VA essays + MC; Day 2: 200 MBE)

Passing Score

140/200 (VA portion 60%, MBE 40%)

Exam / Certification Fees

$575

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 78.50%. first-time takers, July 2026 (72.48% of all applicants; 62.64% of all applicants in February 2026) This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

60%

Virginia Essay Exam

9 essay questions and 10 multiple-choice questions on Tuesday, drawn from Contracts; Creditor's Rights; Criminal Law; Domestic Relations; Evidence; Local Government Law; Professional Responsibility; Real Property; Sales (UCC Art. 2); Secured Transactions (UCC Art. 9A); Torts; Virginia Civil and Criminal Procedure (including appellate practice); and Wills, Trusts and Estates

40%

Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)

200 NCBE multiple-choice questions on Wednesday covering Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts

Preparing for the VA Bar Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 140/200 (VA portion 60%, MBE 40%)
  • Exam length: 219 questions
  • Time limit: 2 days (Day 1: VA essays + MC; Day 2: 200 MBE)
  • Exam / certification fees: $575 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 200 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VA Bar: Suggested Study Strategy

1Virginia is a contributory negligence AND assumption of risk state — memorize both as complete defenses. This is heavily tested because it is one of the most distinctive features of Virginia tort law
2Master Virginia's unique procedural devices: demurrers (challenges legal sufficiency), pleas in bar (raises factual defenses like SOL), motions craving oyer (demands production of referenced documents), and the one-nonsuit-as-of-right rule
3Virginia follows the Dillon Rule — local governments have ONLY powers expressly granted, necessarily implied, or essential to declared purposes. Any doubt about local power is resolved against the locality
4Know Virginia deed of trust foreclosure: non-judicial, conducted by the trustee, three parties (grantor/trustee/beneficiary). Virginia uses race-notice recording and 15-year adverse possession
5For Virginia evidence, the Dead Man's Statute (§ 8.01-397) requires corroboration of an interested party's testimony about transactions with a decedent. Prior inconsistent statements are admissible only for impeachment, not as substantive evidence
6Virginia wills: holographic wills need only be entirely in the testator's handwriting and signed — no witnesses needed. The elective share is 1/3 with descendants, 1/2 without. The antilapse statute saves gifts to grandparents or their descendants

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the Virginia Bar Exam?

The Virginia Bar Exam requires a scaled passing score of 140 on a 200-point scale. The score combines the Virginia Day 1 portion (weighted 60%) and the MBE Day 2 portion (weighted 40%). Virginia is a non-UBE state, so UBE scores from other jurisdictions cannot be transferred to Virginia.

How is the Virginia Bar Exam structured?

The Virginia Bar Exam is administered over two days. Day 1 consists of 9 Virginia essay questions and 10 Virginia multiple-choice questions, covering Virginia-specific law across a morning and afternoon session. Day 2 is the 200-question Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), with 100 questions in each of two 3-hour sessions.

What Virginia-specific topics are tested on Day 1?

Day 1 tests Virginia-specific law including: Virginia civil procedure (demurrers, pleas in bar, nonsuits), Virginia criminal law/procedure, Virginia evidence (Dead Man's Statute, spousal privilege), local government law (Dillon Rule), domestic relations (equitable distribution, no-fault divorce), wills/trusts/estates (holographic wills, elective share), professional responsibility, UCC Articles 2 and 9A, and creditor's rights.

Does Virginia follow contributory negligence or comparative fault?

Virginia follows the pure contributory negligence doctrine — one of only a few remaining states to do so. If the plaintiff is even 1% at fault, the plaintiff is completely barred from recovery. Virginia also recognizes assumption of the risk as a complete defense. These doctrines make Virginia tort law significantly different from most other states.

Is Virginia a UBE state?

No. Virginia gives its own Virginia Essay exam with the MBE, and UBE scores cannot be transferred, although an MBE scaled score of 133 or more from the past 5 years can be. Applicants from other jurisdictions must pass the Virginia Bar Exam or qualify for admission by motion. NCBE ends the MBE after February 2028; from July 2028 Virginia will give the NextGen UBE plus a 2-hour, 5-question Virginia essay exam, and plans to accept NextGen scores from other jurisdictions if the applicant also takes the Virginia component.

What is the pass rate for the Virginia Bar Exam?

In July 2026, 72.48% of all applicants and 78.50% of first-time takers passed the Virginia Bar Exam. February results run lower: 62.64% overall and 77.44% for first-time takers in February 2026. The Board posts pass rates for each exam and for each Virginia law school.