Overview
The California Bar Examination is the licensing test for lawyers in California. It is run by the State Bar of California and is held twice a year, in February and July. It is a two-day exam with a written day and a multiple-choice day.
Who can apply
Before applying for the exam itself, a candidate must first register as an applicant with the State Bar. The State Bar stresses that registering as an applicant is a separate step and does not mean you have applied to sit the exam. The exam application, the moral character application and accommodation requests in the applicant portal open only once your applicant registration is approved. Eligibility rules on legal education are not covered here, so check them with the State Bar.
Exam pattern
The exam has three parts, and they cannot be taken separately. The State Bar does not accept Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) scores earned in other jurisdictions.
| Part | Format | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Essays | 5 questions | 1 hour each |
| Performance Test (PT) | 1 question | 90 minutes |
| MBE | 200 multiple-choice questions | Two 3-hour sessions of 100 questions |
For February 2027, the written part is on day one, split into a 3-hour morning session and a 3.5-hour afternoon session. The MBE is on day two. Candidates may handwrite or use a laptop for the essays and PT, and the MBE is answered on paper answer sheets with a pencil. Testing sites are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and San Diego, with separate arrangements for accommodations.
Syllabus
The essays and Performance Test can draw on twelve subjects: Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Community Property, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, Real Property, Remedies, Torts, and Wills and Succession.
The MBE covers seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property and Torts.
Marking and results
Graders mark each essay and the Performance Test in five-point steps on a scale of 40 to 100. A 40 means the answer at least names the subject and tries to apply the law; an answer that does not reach that level scores zero. Handwriting, spelling and grammar are not graded.
The scores combine into a total out of 2,000 points. The passing score is 1,390. Every written answer is read at least once. Candidates who score 1,350 to 1,389 after the first reading get a second reading by different graders, and pass if the average reaches 1,390. Anyone below 1,350 after the first reading fails.
Candidates who fail receive their essay grades and MBE scaled score. Those who pass do not receive individual grades.
Important dates
February 2027 exam: Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 February 2027. The timely application deadline is 2 November 2026. Late filing is accepted from 3 to 30 November 2026 with a 250 late fee. Immediate repeaters have different late-filing windows. Results are due on 30 April 2027.
July 2027 exam: Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 July 2027.
July 2026 exam results: due 6 November 2026 by 4:00 p.m.
For February 2027, the admittance ticket is available from 26 January 2027, laptop software registration and the mandatory mock exam must be done by 19 February 2027, and laptop files must be uploaded by noon Pacific time on 25 February 2027.
How to apply
Register as an applicant with the State Bar first, then file the exam application through the applicant portal by the deadline for your sitting. Results are released through the same portal, and pass lists are posted separately a few days later.
After the exam
Results go to candidates through the applicant portal. Failing candidates see their essay grades and MBE scaled score, as described above.
Preparation tips
Learn the twelve written subjects and the seven MBE subjects, including Professional Responsibility, which appears only in the written part.
Practise under time limits: one hour per essay and 90 minutes for the Performance Test.
Use the State Bar's published past exam questions and answers.
Because handwriting and spelling are not graded, spend your effort on spotting issues and applying the law.
Complete the laptop software registration and mock exam early if you plan to type.
How many times a year is the California bar exam held?
Twice a year, in February and July.
What is the passing score?
1,390 out of 2,000 points. A first-reading score of 1,350 to 1,389 gets a second reading.
Can I take only the MBE or only the written part?
No. The parts cannot be taken separately, and MBE scores from other jurisdictions are not accepted.
Does handwriting count?
No. Graders do not consider handwriting quality, spelling or grammar.