Is the California bar exam open book?

Asked by: Ada Larkin  |  Last update: September 18, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (62 votes)

Is the exam open book? No, the California Bar Exam is not an open-book exam. Participants are not allowed to bring any reference materials or notes into the examination room nor is it provided by them.

Is the bar exam closed book?

Today, we're talking about studying for the bar, the biggest closed book test you'll ever take, when you haven't taken many closed book exams.

Is the bar exam harder in California?

Yes, the California bar exam is widely considered to be the most difficult of all state bar exams in the US. The California bar exam has a pass rate of 34%.

What does the California bar exam look like?

California Bar Examination

The exam is given over two days and consists of the following parts: Five one-hour Essay Questions. One 90-minute Performance Test. 200 Multiple-Choice Questions.

Can you take the California bar without going to law school?

In California, qualified applicants can take the bar exam without going to law school. Most law schools require a college degree, but some may only ask for equivalent course work, and some law schools focus on your legal interest and life experiences and not on your grades or LSAT scores.

How does the California Bar Exam work?

30 related questions found

What state has the easiest bar exam?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

How many times can you take the California bar exam?

There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California. While it may come as a relief to many students who are planning to take the bar exam in California that there are no limits, California's bar exam is known for being one of the hardest exams in the U.S.

Can I take the bar exam for fun?

Most states (not all) require you to have a J.D. to sit for the bar exam (or be sufficiently close in credits to having a J.D.). The exam is not free and no matter how brilliant you are, you're not going to pass without good preparation.

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

Florida and California are the most challenging states to become a lawyer in terms of passing the bar exam. Their bar exams are considered the most difficult to pass. Those two states do not have reciprocity with other states regarding honoring those who have passed the bar exam in other states.

What is the hardest exam in the world?

The most difficult exam in the world is Gaokao Exam in China. Gaokao is an annual standardised test in China that is mandatory for admission to all of the country's Higher Educational Institutes. This article will be helpful for you, if you are exploring information about the hardest exam in the world.

How many months to study for California bar exam?

Most bar examinees prepare for the bar exam in 8–12 weeks. That means that they generally start studying 2-3 months before the bar exam.

Is the bar exam a memory test?

The California Bar Exam requires you to memorize a vast amount of information, such as rules, elements, and legal concepts.

Why abolish the bar exam?

Abolishing the bar exam makes it truly possible for state bar associations to equally serve their members, the profession, and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice as the national representative of the legal profession.

Can you sit the bar exam without a law degree UK?

Solicitors' UK bar exam requirements

Obtain an undergraduate degree in any subject (it does not need to be a law degree), or equivalent qualification or apprenticeship. Pass SQE1 and SQE2. Complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) Meet character and suitability requirements.

Is 295 a good bar score?

In order to pass the Uniform Bar Exam, examinees must earn a score of at least 260 on the MBE and MEE. However, a score of 280 is generally considered to be a good score, and a score of 300 to 330 (highest score on bar exam) is considered to be excellent.

Is the California bar exam multiple choice?

As explained below, the two-day exam now consists of five one-hour essays, one 90-minute performance test, and 200 multiple-choice questions. California has not adopted the Uniform Bar Exam. California continues to administer a state-specific exam.

Is the California bar curved?

the bar exam isn't curved, but scaled. That means it's normalized to adjust for the difficulty from one administration to the next, not the applicant pool. You should get the same score no matter when you take the exam.

Is the California bar exam difficult?

The test is known as the hardest in the country and, consequently, the anxiety leading up to the test is epic. And for good reason. In February 2023, for example, only 32.5% of applicants passed.

How many times did Kim take the bar?

Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!

How many subjects are on the California bar exam?

The bar exam given in California is considered the toughest in the country. It covers 14 subjects over two days and includes essay questions, multiple choice questions, and performance test assignments.

Can you take the California bar exam online?

The next California bar exam is scheduled for February 25–26, 2025. The bar exam application is now available in the Applicant Portal. The State Bar will administer this exam remotely and in person. Applicants will be asked to select their preferred method for taking this exam, between remote and in person.

Does California bar exam expire?

State Bar rules set a five-year expiration date on a passing bar exam score by requiring that, within “five years from the last day of administration of the California Bar Examination the applicant passes,” the applicant must meet all requirements for certification to the California Supreme Court for admission and must ...

What is a passing score on California bar exam?

To pass the examination an applicant must have a total scaled score of at least 1440 points out of a possible 2000 points.