The written portion of the exam (essay questions and Performance Test) is typically administered on the first day, with three essay questions given in the morning session and two essay questions plus the Performance Test given in the afternoon session. The multiple-choice portion is typically administered on the second day, with 100 questions given in the morning (divided into two morning sessions) and 100 questions given in the afternoon (divided into two afternoon sessions).
Applicants taking the California Bar Exam may be required to answer questions involving issues from all of the subjects listed below:
*The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is a separate requirement for admission to practice law in California. More information concerning the MPRE can be found on the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ website.
The July 2025 bar exam will use the MBE, developed and scored by the NCBE, for the 200 multiple-choice questions. This portion of the General Bar Examination is an objective six-hour examination administered in two three-hour sessions with 100 questions each session.
The MBE tests seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.
Information regarding the MBE and MBE study aids is available through the NCBE’s website.