CA Bar study guide
CA Bar · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The California Bar Examination is the licensing examination administered by the State Bar of California for people seeking admission to practice law in the state - typically law school graduates and attorney applicants who have completed applicant registration and filed a bar exam application through the Applicant Portal. It is offered twice each year, in February and July. The CA Bar study guide has 7 sections and about 2,130 words.
01Civil Procedure
Civil Procedure rewards a checklist mindset. Start with subject-matter jurisdiction: federal question (well-pleaded complaint), diversity (complete diversity at filing plus more than $75,000 in controversy, excluding interest and costs), and supplemental jurisdiction under §1367, which does not reach claims by plaintiffs against non-diverse parties.
332 words, about 2 min02Constitutional Law
Constitutional Law questions usually turn on a threshold. Confirm judicial review, standing (injury in fact, causation, redressability), ripeness, mootness, and the political question doctrine before reaching the merits.
302 words, about 2 min03Contracts
Ask first: common law or UCC Article 2 (goods, merchants)? Common law requires offer, acceptance (mirror image, mailbox rule), and consideration (bargained-for exchange).
310 words, about 2 min04Criminal Law and Procedure
Criminal law tests mens rea precision: purposely, knowingly, recklessly, negligently. Actus reus requires voluntary conduct, concurrence with intent, and actual and proximate causation.
306 words, about 2 min05Evidence
Relevance is a low bar (probative plus material); Rule 403 excludes unfair prejudice. Character evidence is barred to prove propensity, except: the accused may open the door, the prosecution may rebut, victim character in self-defense, and specific sex-offense exceptions (with 404(b) notice requirements).
292 words, about 1 min06Real Property
Fee simple absolute, defeasible fees (fee simple determinable with possibility of reverter; fee simple subject to condition subsequent with right of entry; fee simple subject to executory limitation), and life estates. Remainders are vested (indefeasibly, subject to open or divestment) or contingent.
312 words, about 2 min07Torts
Intentional torts require intent (purpose or substantial certainty) plus causation. Battery (harmful or offensive contact), assault (apprehension), false imprisonment, IIED (extreme and outrageous conduct), trespass, conversion.
276 words, about 1 min