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California Bar Exam and MPRE: 4. The Multistate Bar Exam

This California Bar Exam guide provides an overview of steps law students can take to prepare for the California Bar Exam and the MPRE. Information regarding deadlines, topics covered on the California Bar Exam, and other helpful resources are provided.

Helpful Information

The Multistate Bar Exam

The MBE is developed and graded by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).  The MBE consists of an objective six-hour examination containing 200 multiple-choice questions, which are administered in (2) three-hour sessions, each session consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions.  The exam questions cover the following areas of law:

  • Civil Procedure;
  • Constitutional Law;
  • Contracts;
  • Criminal Law and Procedure;
  • Evidence;
  • Real Property; and
  • Torts.

Each MBE question is followed by four possible answers, from which you should choose the best answer.  The questions are designed to be answered in accordance with generally accepted, fundamental legal principles unless otherwise noted in the question.  Because scores on the MBE are calculated based on the number of questions answered correctly, make sure to answer every question, even if it means guessing (points are not subtracted for incorrect answers).

The NCBE provides online access to MBE instructions, a subject matter outline, and sample test questions.  MBE study aids, including two online practice exams, are available for purchase at the NCBE's online store.