CAS Bar Practice Test
Updated October 2026Latest Updates (September 2026)
- The California Bar Examination is a two-day exam given twice a year, in February and July. The written portion (five one-hour essay questions and one 90-minute Performance Test) is given on day one; the 200-question Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is given on day two, 100 questions in the morning and 100 in the afternoon. (source)
- The July 2026 California Bar Exam is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28 and Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in person at designated test sites; the State Bar is using ExamSoft as the delivery vendor for the written sessions. The February 2027 exam is set for Tuesday, February 23 and Wednesday, February 24, 2027. (source)
- The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is not part of the California Bar Examination — it is a separate, NCBE-administered ethics exam that must also be passed for admission. (source)
- Official February 2026 California Bar Exam results: the overall General Bar Exam pass rate was 30.8% (1,211 of 3,931 completed); first-time takers passed at 44.0%, repeat takers at 23.1%. (source: State Bar of California, February 2026 General Statistics Report, revised June 18, 2026)
- Results from the February 2026 exam were released through the Applicant Portal on May 1, 2026; results from the July 2026 exam are scheduled for release on November 6, 2026. (source)
- The MBE (200 multiple-choice questions) is developed and scored by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and tests seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. Written-portion topics add Business Associations, Community Property, Professional Responsibility, Remedies, Trusts, and Wills and Succession. (source)
Last verified: September 26, 2026 against calbar.ca.gov (The State Bar of California). The current scaled passing score was not re-confirmed on a page we could independently verify this pass, so no specific passing-score figure is stated here to avoid an unverified number — see the State Bar's Admissions pages for the current requirement.
Aspiring lawyers in California must pass the tough California State Bar Exam to get their license. This exam is key for law school graduates and those wanting a legal career. It makes sure they know enough to give good legal advice and services. Practice with the free California State Bar practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).
Free California State Bar Exam Study Tools
Interactive California State Bar Exam resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- California State Bar Exam flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- California State Bar Exam study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- California State Bar Exam cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
CAS Bar Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the CAS Bar - California State Bar Exam exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
CAS Bar Administrative and Regulatory Law
CAS Bar Exam Questions covering Administrative and Regulatory Law. Master CAS Bar Test concepts for certification prep.
CAS Bar Business Associations
Free CAS Bar Practice Test featuring Business Associations. Improve your CAS Bar Exam score with mock test prep.
CAS Bar Civil Procedure
CAS Bar Mock Exam on CAS Bar Civil Procedure. CAS Bar Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
CAS Bar Contracts and Commercial Law
CAS Bar Test Prep for CAS Bar Contracts and Commercial Law. Practice CAS Bar Quiz questions and boost your score.
CAS Bar CAS California-specific Essays
CAS Bar Questions and Answers on CAS California-specific Essays. Free CAS Bar practice for exam readiness.
CAS Bar CAS Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
CAS Bar Mock Test covering CAS Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). Online CAS Bar Test practice with instant feedback.
CAS Bar CAS Performance
Free CAS Bar Quiz on CAS Performance. CAS Bar Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.
CAS Bar CAS Professional Responsibility an...
CAS Bar Practice Questions for CAS Professional Responsibility and Ethics. Build confidence for your CAS Bar certification exam.
CAS Bar Community Property
CAS Bar Test Online for Community Property. Free practice with instant results and feedback.
CAS Bar Constitutional Law
CAS Bar Study Material on Constitutional Law. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.
CAS Bar Criminal Law
Free CAS Bar Test covering Criminal Law. Practice and track your CAS Bar exam readiness.
CAS Bar Criminal Procedure
CAS Bar Exam Questions covering Criminal Procedure. Master CAS Bar Test concepts for certification prep.
CAS Bar Evidence
Free CAS Bar Practice Test featuring Evidence. Improve your CAS Bar Exam score with mock test prep.
CAS Bar Family Law
CAS Bar Mock Exam on Family Law. CAS Bar Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
CAS Bar Property Law
CAS Bar Test Prep for Property Law. Practice CAS Bar Quiz questions and boost your score.
CAS Bar Remedies
CAS Bar Questions and Answers on Remedies. Free CAS Bar practice for exam readiness.
Key Takeaways
FREE CAS Bar Practice Test Online
- The CAS test is a crucial professional certification required for aspiring attorneys in California
- The exam consists of multiple components, including the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and California-specific essays and performance tests
- Thorough preparation, including mastering legal concepts, honing exam-taking strategies, and developing strong writing skills, is essential for success
- Understanding the exam structure, content, and scoring criteria can help candidates develop an effective study plan and approach the CAS test with confidence
- Passing the CAS exam is a significant milestone on the path to becoming a licensed attorney in the state of California
Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
Why is the CAS Test Important?
The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is a big part of the CAS. It's a test with many questions that cover a lot of legal topics. The NCBE gives this exam, and it checks if you know the basics of law and how to apply them. Doing well on this part is very important for passing the exam.
Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
Separately from the CAS itself, California also requires the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) — a distinct, NCBE-administered ethics exam. It is not one of the CAS test sections, but you must pass it (usually before or shortly after the bar exam) to be admitted to the California State Bar.
Knowing what the CAS is all about helps future lawyers prepare better. They can use this knowledge to improve their chances of doing well on these important exams.
California Bar Examination Essays
CAS (California State Bar Exam) Test
The California State Bar Exam, known as the CAS test, checks if someone knows the law, can think critically, and is ready for the job. It has two main parts: the essay questions and the performance test.
The essay part tests how well candidates can tackle tough legal issues and write about them clearly. They need to show they know the law, think deeply, and write well. These essays cover many legal topics, making candidates use their knowledge in real situations.
California Performance Test
The California Performance Test (PT) looks at how well candidates can use legal knowledge and solve problems quickly. Candidates get a client file and must write legal documents like briefs or contracts fast. This test sees if they can sort out information, find the right legal rules, and come up with logical solutions.
| Exam Component | Description | Skills Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| California Bar Examination Essays | Written responses to complex legal issues | Legal analysis, critical thinking, persuasive writing |
| California Performance Test | Drafting legal documents within a time constraint | Problem-solving, legal research, document drafting |
Knowing about the CAS test helps future lawyers plan their study and practice better. This can improve their chances of passing the California State Bar Exam.
Preparing for the Bar Exam
Law school graduates face a big challenge with the California Bar Exam (CAS). To pass, they need a solid plan. Using the right resources and strategies helps build the knowledge and confidence needed for success.
Creating a good study plan is crucial. This means making a timeline, focusing on key legal subjects, and setting aside time for practice. Many find a California bar review course helpful. It offers guidance, materials, and feedback.
- Establish a consistent study routine and stick to it
- Use practice tests and multiple-choice questions to identify strengths and weaknesses
- Familiarize yourself with the format and structure of the CAS, including the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
- Develop effective strategies for essay writing and the California Performance Test
- Engage in regular study groups or practice sessions with fellow law school graduates
It's important to focus on legal ethics and the rules for becoming a lawyer in California. Knowing the ethical and professional duties helps test-takers do well on the exam. It shows they're committed to the legal profession's high standards.
With a thorough approach to bar exam preparation, law school graduates can succeed on the CAS. They can start their career as licensed attorneys in California. Using test preparation resources and improving their skills leads to a rewarding legal career.
Related Law & Legal Practice Tests
If you are preparing for a career in law & legal, you may also find these related practice tests helpful:
Prepare for the Bar Exam — the US Bar Examination testing legal knowledge required for attorney licensing across all jurisdictions.
Prepare for the LSAT - Law School Admission Test — the Law School Admission Test required for admission to law schools in the US and Canada.
Prepare for the SQE1 - Solicitors Qualifying Examination Part 1 — the Solicitors Qualifying Examination Part 1 for aspiring solicitors in England and Wales.
Prepare for the SQE2 - Solicitors Qualifying Examination Part 2 — the SQE Part 2 practical legal skills assessment for trainee solicitors in the UK.
Prepare for the SQE - Solicitors Qualifying Examination — the Solicitors Qualifying Examination overview and preparation for legal practice in England and Wales.
- +Validates your knowledge and skills objectively
- +Increases job market competitiveness
- +Provides structured learning goals
- +Networking opportunities with other certified professionals
- −Study materials can be expensive
- −Exam anxiety can affect performance
- −Requires dedicated preparation time
- −Retake fees apply if you don't pass
Sample California State Bar Exam Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free California State Bar Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
A lawyer is representing a client in a civil litigation matter. The client instructs the lawyer to file a complaint with allegations that the lawyer knows are false. What should the lawyer do?
- A. File the complaint as instructed and withdraw from the case later.
- B. Refuse to file the complaint and explain to the client that the allegations must be truthful.
- C. File the complaint and disclose the false allegations to the court, but continue representing the client.
- D. File the complaint but include a note that the lawyer does not personally believe the allegations.
Answer: B. Refuse to file the complaint and explain to the client that the allegations must be truthful.
Lawyers have an ethical duty of candor to the tribunal and must not present false statements of fact or law to the court. Filing a complaint with known false allegations violates rules of professional conduct, such as California Rule of Professional Conduct 3.3. The lawyer must refuse to engage in such conduct and explain the ethical obligations to the client, potentially withdrawing if the client insists on the false allegations.
During settlement negotiations, an attorney tells opposing counsel that their client carries $500,000 in liability insurance coverage when the attorney knows the actual policy limit is $100,000. This conduct violates:
- A. No rule, because puffery and posturing are inherent in settlement negotiations
- B. The duty to maintain client confidentiality by revealing insurance information
- C. The prohibition on knowingly making false statements of material fact to a third person
- D. The duty of loyalty to the attorney's own client
Answer: C. The prohibition on knowingly making false statements of material fact to a third person
ABA Model Rule 4.1(a) and California RPC 4.1 prohibit knowingly making a false statement of material fact to a third party, including opposing counsel during negotiations.
During a motion hearing, an attorney cites a case as supporting authority but knows it was expressly overruled by the same appellate court two months earlier. This primarily violates:
- A. Candor toward the tribunal by making a false statement of law to the court
- B. The duty of competence by failing to research current case law
- C. The duty of communication by not informing the client of the adverse ruling
- D. The duty of confidentiality by revealing the attorney's legal research strategy
Answer: A. Candor toward the tribunal by making a false statement of law to the court
Citing overruled authority as valid precedent constitutes a false statement of law to the court, violating the duty of candor under California RPC 3.3(a)(1).
What remedies are available for challenging an agency decision in California?
- A. Administrative mandamus (writ of mandate) to compel or set aside agency actions
- B. Only monetary damages
- C. Criminal prosecution of agency officials
- D. No judicial remedy exists for agency decisions
Answer: A. Administrative mandamus (writ of mandate) to compel or set aside agency actions
The primary remedy is a petition for writ of mandate under Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1085 or 1094.5, allowing courts to review and set aside agency actions that are arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law.
(CAS Bar) California State Bar Exam Questions and Answers
About the Author
Attorney & Bar Exam Preparation Specialist
Yale Law SchoolJames R. Hargrove is a practicing attorney and legal educator with a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and an LLM in Constitutional Law. With over a decade of experience coaching bar exam candidates across multiple jurisdictions, he specializes in MBE strategy, state-specific essay preparation, and multistate performance test techniques.