Changes to California Bar Exam – What to Expect?

The California Bar Exam is officially changing effective with the administration of the July 2017 exam. Most notably is the change of the long standing 3-day format to a 2-day exam.  So what differences are expected with this big change?

Well, the big difference is that the second day of the written portion, which falls on a Thursday, has been eliminated. Now, the first day of the California Bar Exam will be structured to include three one-hour essays in the morning session, a lunch break, and two one-hour essays in the afternoon session followed by a ninety (90) minute Performance Test. The scope of the written essay subjects that may show up on the bar remains unchanged. Prior to this new July 2017 administration, the written portion contained three one-hour essays in the morning session followed by a three hour Performance Test on both written days of the exam. The second day of the Bar will remain the same with 200 MBE questions being administered. Both the written portion and the MBE portion will be weighed equally at 50% each.

Some may argue the new structure makes it easier for students because they don’t have to go through another grueling day after the multiple choice MBE administration. While it certainly removes the time it takes to complete the exam, this new format for the written portion may require much more endurance and place more pressure on students than ever. We do not want you to worry. Get in touch with one of our tutors today so you can enhance your essay writing skills and build your endurance to successfully prevail on the California Bar Exam.