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California’s bar exam stands out as one of the toughest, with more applicants, a historically high score required for passing, and unique state-specific laws. Success requires a strategic California bar prep plan, consistent practice, and realistic exam simulation.
Why the California Bar Exam Requires a Unique Strategy
California’s exam stands apart in scope and difficulty. To pass, you need to build both deep legal knowledge and test-day endurance. BARBRI’s proven California Bar Review course is designed to help you achieve both.
A BARBRI Graduate’s Proven Approach
One BARBRI alum passed on the first try by following a disciplined, active-learning routine:
- Completing BARBRI’s daily customized California bar review schedule
- Writing as many essay assignments as possible, including writing full essays beyond the assigned work
- Creating personal review sheets for quick reference
- Using flashcards only in the final weeks for definitions and tricky rules
Their takeaway? “Practice is memorization.” The more they wrote, drilled questions, and reviewed actively, the more second nature the material became.
Understanding the California Bar Exam Format
Day 1
- Five one-hour essays
- One 90-minute performance test
Day 2
- Multistate Bar Exam (MBE): 200 multiple-choice questions in two sessions
Scoring
- 50% written section, 50% multiple-choice section
- Passing score: 1,390 out of 2,000 scaled
BARBRI’s Three-Phase California Bar Prep Program
Foundations (15%)
- Short, focused animated video lectures on core concepts across each MBE subject
- Intro assignments to build subject familiarity
Deep Dive (65%)
- Short-format lectures taught by expert faculty
- Reading, practice, assessment and reinforcement of federal and California law
- Frequent knowledge checks and performance test practice
- Full-length simulated exam under timed conditions
Final Review (20%)
- Mini Review lectures and the Conviser Mini Review for condensed study
- Course prioritization of weaker subjects for maximum points on test day
Why Practice Under Exam Conditions Matters
BARBRI’s mock exams replicate the actual California bar testing environment, helping you build stamina and confidence. Students who use BARBRI Bar REview score, on average, about 19 points higher* than those who self-study or use another bar prep provider, often the difference between passing and failing.
Final California Bar Study Tips
- Follow the schedule: BARBRI customizable calendar and adaptive course ensure complete coverage before test day
- Write essays regularly: builds speed and structure mastery
- Simulate a full exam day: practice time management and endurance
- Use the final weeks for targeted review: trust your BARBRI course to learn from your strengths, weaknesses, and time until your exam to prioritize subjects needing the most work
Start Your California Bar Prep with BARBRI
The California bar exam is demanding, but with BARBRI’s proven course, you’ll have the structure, tools, and confidence to pass on your first attempt.
→ Secure Your Spot in BARBRI’s California Bar Review
*Scores are based on studies of actual bar exam scores from students in UBE states.
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