BPTC Practice Test

BPTC Exam at a Glance

What changed for BPTC in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Passing score (Civil & Criminal Litigation) changed to Reported as 60% (criterion-referenced, determined per sitting) (previously Reported as 60% (criterion-referenced, set per sitting)).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Passing score (Professional Ethics (pupillage)) changed to At least 8 satisfactory answers out of 12; 3+ unacceptable sub-parts = fail (previously About 8 of 12 satisfactory answers; 3+ 'Unacceptable' sub-parts = fail).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Retake policy (Professional Ethics (pupillage)) changed to Three sittings per year; passing is mandatory before pupillage can be signed off (previously Three sittings a year; must pass before pupillage sign-off).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Score release (Civil & Criminal Litigation) changed to To AETOs by end of January 2027 (Winter 2026 sitting) (previously To providers by end of January 2027 (December 2026 sitting)).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Score release (Professional Ethics (pupillage)) changed to Available on MyBar by end of day Thursday 25 March 2027 (January 2027 sitting) (previously Results on MyBar by 25 March 2027 (January 2027 sitting)).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Other (update 2026-06-24) changed to The BSB published the updated 2026-2027 Civil Litigation syllabus valid for the December 2026, April 2027, and August 2027 centralised assessments. (previously The BSB published the 2026-2027 Civil Litigation syllabus, which applies to the December 2026, April 2027 and August 2027 sittings.).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Delivery (Civil & Criminal Litigation) changed to Administered by Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) on the same day and time (previously Sat via the student's training provider (AETO), same day and time for all candidates).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Next exam date (Professional Ethics (pupillage)) changed to 12 January 2027 at 10am (previously Tuesday 12 January 2027, 10am).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Retake fee (Professional Ethics (pupillage)) changed to £832 per resit after second attempt (previously £832 per resit after the second attempt).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Number of questions (Civil Litigation (paper 2)) changed to 40 MCQs including rolling case scenarios, open book (White Book) (previously 40 MCQs incl. rolling case scenarios, open book (White Book)).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Number of questions (Professional Ethics (pupillage)) changed to 12 short answer questions, open book (BSB Handbook) (previously 12 short-answer questions, open book (BSB Handbook)).^[2]
• Jun 24, 2026: The BSB published the updated 2026-2027 Civil Litigation syllabus valid for the December 2026, April 2027, and August 2027 centralised assessments.^[1]

What the BPTC is and how it works

According to Bar Standards Board, “Civil Litigation (paper 1) 2 hours 50 Multiple Choice questions (MCQs) Electronically – by the BSB”^[1]

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is the official body. Its centralised assessments in Civil and Criminal Litigation are administered by Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs), and every student is expected to sit on the same day and at the same time. Civil Litigation paper 1 is 50 multiple choice questions in 2 hours, closed book. Paper 2 is 40 multiple choice questions with rolling case scenarios, open book (the White Book). Criminal Litigation is 75 multiple choice questions in 3 hours, closed book.

Results are reported as 60%, but the pass standard is criterion-referenced and may differ between sittings. The Winter 2026 sitting runs from 10 to 17 December 2026, and results go to AETOs by the end of January 2027. Your AETO tells you the date they are released to you.

Professional Ethics, taken during pupillage, is different. It is an open book exam (BSB Handbook) of 12 short answer questions in 3 hours, delivered online through the Surpass platform, either in a test centre or remotely proctored. Competent candidates are expected to give at least 8 satisfactory answers out of 12. Booking runs from 24 November to 8 December 2026 for the sitting on 12 January 2027 at 10am. There are 3 sittings each year, and passing is required before pupillage can be signed off. Resits after the second attempt cost £832. Always confirm details with the BSB.

Worked examples: how to reason through BPTC questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: In magistrates' court advocacy, what is the correct order of a summary trial?

1. Defence opening, prosecution evidence, defence evidence, closing speeches
2. Prosecution opening, prosecution evidence, defence evidence, closing speeches
3. Prosecution evidence, prosecution opening, defence evidence, verdict
4. Defence evidence, prosecution evidence, closing speeches

Answer: B. Prosecution opening, prosecution evidence, defence evidence, closing speeches

Explanation:

The correct answer is B. A summary trial in the magistrates' court begins with the prosecution opening, because the prosecution carries the burden of proof and must set out its case before any evidence is called. Prosecution evidence follows, then defence evidence, then closing speeches.

Option A is wrong because the defence does not open the trial. Option C is wrong because the opening comes before the evidence, and a verdict cannot arrive before closing speeches. Option D is wrong because the defence cannot call evidence before the prosecution has presented its case, and it leaves out the opening altogether.

The rule to remember: the party who must prove the case goes first at every stage, and the court decides only after hearing both sides' submissions. Practise saying the sequence aloud until it is automatic.

Example 2

Question: What is the legal test for relevance of evidence?

1. The evidence must directly prove the facts in issue
2. The evidence makes a fact in issue more or less probable than it would be without the evidence
3. The evidence must be corroborated by independent sources
4. The evidence must be documentary

Answer: B. The evidence makes a fact in issue more or less probable than it would be without the evidence

Explanation:

The correct answer is B. Evidence is relevant if it makes a fact in issue more or less probable than it would be without that evidence. The test is about probability, not proof.

Option A is wrong because relevant evidence does not have to prove a fact directly; a single piece of circumstantial evidence can be relevant without settling anything alone. Option C is wrong because corroboration is a separate requirement that applies only in limited situations and is not part of the relevance test. Option D is wrong because relevance has nothing to do with the form of the evidence; oral testimony, real evidence and documents can all be relevant.

The rule to remember: relevance is a low threshold about logical connection to a fact in issue. Admissibility is a separate question, so ask about relevance before asking about exclusionary rules.

Example 3

Question: What is the rule in Browne v Dunn (1893) and why is it important in advocacy?

1. It allows a barrister to refuse to cross-examine a hostile witness
2. It requires a party to put their case to an opponent's witness during cross-examination if they intend to contradict that witness's evidence
3. It prevents barristers from asking leading questions during examination-in-chief
4. It establishes the right to a closing speech in all criminal trials

Answer: B. It requires a party to put their case to an opponent's witness during cross-examination if they intend to contradict that witness's evidence

Explanation:

The correct answer is B. The rule in Browne v Dunn (1893) requires a party who intends to contradict a witness's evidence, or to suggest the witness is lying or mistaken, to put that case to the witness in cross-examination. This is a matter of fairness: the witness must have a chance to respond.

Option A is wrong because the rule does not let a barrister refuse to cross-examine; it creates a duty to put your case when you plan to challenge the evidence. Option C is wrong because leading questions are generally permitted in cross-examination and restricted in examination-in-chief, which is a different principle. Option D is wrong because the rule says nothing about closing speeches.

The rule to remember: if you will argue it later, put it to the witness now. Failing to do so can lead to adverse comment or limit what you can argue.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the BSB's own material, since it sets the format you will sit. Write down, for each assessment, whether it is closed book or open book, how many questions it has and how long you get. Your practice should match that pattern.

Then use the subject sets on this page to find weak spots. Work through Evidence, Civil Litigation and Criminal Litigation in short sessions, and read the explanation for every question, including the ones you got right. Keep a short list of rules you missed and revisit it often.

For the open book papers, practise finding your way around the White Book or the BSB Handbook quickly. Knowing where a rule sits matters more than memorising its wording. For the closed book papers, rely on recall and say the rules aloud.

For Professional Ethics, answer in writing and check each answer against the Handbook, because the exam uses short answer questions rather than multiple choice. Use the advocacy and skills sets to rehearse structure, such as the order of a trial and putting your case to a witness.

In the final days, sit a timed set in one go, review your errors, and check your sitting date, booking deadline and results timing on the official site. Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions.

Sources & last verified

1. Bar Standards Board — number of questions, time limit, passing score, delivery (official source). “Civil Litigation (paper 1) 2 hours 50 Multiple Choice questions (MCQs) Electronically – by the BSB” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 27, 2026.
2. Bar Standards Board — passing score, retake fee, retake policy, registration opens (official source). “It is expected that competent candidates will have provided at least eight satisfactory answers out of 12, but there will be a review of all…” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 27, 2026.
3. surpass.com — delivery (official source). “The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has announced that it has contracted with BTL Group Ltd to use the Surpass Assessment Platform to help it deliver…” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 27, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.