CAS Bar Practice Test
Updated October 2026Facts verified Oct 31, 2026 against The State Bar of California
Aspiring lawyers in California must pass the tough California State Bar Exam to get their license. This exam is key for law school graduates and those wanting a legal career. It makes sure they know enough to give good legal advice and services. Practice with the free California State Bar practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).
CAS Bar: upcoming dates and official changes
- Feb 23, 2027 – Feb 24, 2027: The February 2027 California Bar Exam takes place over two days, Tuesday, February 23, and Wednesday, February 24, 2027.[3]
- Apr 30, 2027: Results from the February 2027 California Bar Exam are scheduled to be released on April 30, 2027, through the Applicant Portal.[2]
- Jul 27, 2027 – Jul 28, 2027: The July 2027 California Bar Exam takes place on Tuesday, July 27, and Wednesday, July 28, 2027.[4]
- To pass the California Bar Exam's first grading phase, an applicant needs a total scale score of at least 1390 out of 2000 points after one reading.[1]
- Results from the February 2027 California Bar Exam are scheduled to be released on April 30, 2027, through the Applicant Portal.[2]
- Results from the July 2026 California Bar Exam are scheduled to be released on October 30, 2026, through the Applicant Portal.[2]
- The February 2027 California Bar Exam takes place over two days, Tuesday, February 23, and Wednesday, February 24, 2027.[3]
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
CAS Bar Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Passing score | 1390 out of 2000[1] | The State Bar of California · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Score release (February 2027) | April 30, 2027[2] | The State Bar of California · Oct 30, 2026 |
| Next exam date (February 2027) | February 23–24, 2027[3] | The State Bar of California · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Next exam date (July 2027) | July 27–28, 2027[4] | The State Bar of California · Oct 25, 2026 |
Free California State Bar Exam Study Tools
Interactive California State Bar Exam resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- California State Bar Exam flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- California State Bar Exam study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- California State Bar Exam cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
According to The State Bar of California, “an applicant must have a total scale score (after one reading) of at least 1390 out of 2000 possible points”[1]
CAS Bar content outline and where to practise each area
The content areas below are copied from the official CAS Bar content outline published by The State Bar of California. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.
| Official content area | Practice on this site |
|---|---|
| Business Associations[5] | CAS Bar Business Associations Practise how agency, partnerships and corporations differ, especially who is liable and who has authority to bind the business. |
| Civil Procedure[5] | CAS Bar Civil Procedure Practise discovery duties, pleading rules and the consequences of missing a response. |
| Community Property[5] | CAS Bar Community Property Practise classifying assets as community or separate and tracing how that classification changes over time. |
| Constitutional Law[5] | CAS Bar Constitutional Law Practise picking the right level of scrutiny and spotting the threshold issues of standing and state action. |
| Contracts[5] | CAS Bar Contracts and Commercial Law Practise formation, modification, defenses and remedies, and know when common law and the UCC rules diverge. |
| Criminal Law and Procedure[5] | CAS Bar Criminal Law Practise elements of offenses and defenses, then move to the criminal procedure set for search, seizure and confession issues. |
| Evidence[5] | CAS Bar Evidence Practise hearsay and its exceptions, relevance limits and privilege, naming the rule before choosing an answer. |
| Professional Responsibility[5] | CAS Bar CAS Professional Responsibility an... Practise confidentiality, conflicts and client funds, where small factual differences change the answer. |
| Real Property[5] | CAS Bar Property Law Practise ownership interests, conveyances, easements and recording rules. |
| Remedies[5] | CAS Bar Remedies Practise when damages, injunctions and restitution are available and what limits each one. |
| Torts[5] | CAS Bar Torts and Negligence Practise negligence elements, causation and the defenses that reduce or bar recovery. |
| Trusts[5] | CAS Bar Wills Trusts and Estates Practise creation and validity of trusts, trustee duties and how they interact with wills. |
CAS Bar Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the CAS Bar - California State Bar Exam exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
CAS Bar Administrative and Regulatory Law
CAS Bar Exam Questions covering Administrative and Regulatory Law. Master CAS Bar Test concepts for certification prep.
CAS Bar Business Associations
Free CAS Bar Practice Test featuring Business Associations. Improve your CAS Bar Exam score with mock test prep.
CAS Bar Civil Procedure
CAS Bar Mock Exam on CAS Bar Civil Procedure. CAS Bar Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
CAS Bar Contracts and Commercial Law
CAS Bar Test Prep for CAS Bar Contracts and Commercial Law. Practice CAS Bar Quiz questions and boost your score.
CAS Bar Constitutional Law
CAS Bar Study Material on Constitutional Law. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.
CAS Bar Criminal Law
Free CAS Bar Test covering Criminal Law. Practice and track your CAS Bar exam readiness.
CAS Bar Evidence
Free CAS Bar Practice Test featuring Evidence. Improve your CAS Bar Exam score with mock test prep.
CAS Bar Family Law
CAS Bar Mock Exam on Family Law. CAS Bar Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
CAS Bar Property Law
CAS Bar Test Prep for Property Law. Practice CAS Bar Quiz questions and boost your score.
Worked examples: how to reason through CAS Bar 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: How does the Public Records Act affect administrative agencies?
- It requires agencies to provide access to public records upon request with limited exemptions
- Agencies have complete discretion over what records to release
- Only media outlets can request public records
- The Act only applies to financial records
Answer: A. It requires agencies to provide access to public records upon request with limited exemptions
Explanation:
The correct answer is that the Public Records Act requires agencies to provide access to public records on request, with limited exemptions. The statute starts from a presumption of openness and then carves out defined categories, such as privacy and law enforcement material.
The option saying agencies have complete discretion is wrong because the duty to disclose is the default, not a favor. The option limiting requests to media outlets is wrong because the right of access is not restricted to a type of requester. The option limiting the Act to financial records is wrong because it covers records generally, not one subject.
Rule to remember: public records are open unless a specific exemption applies, and the agency should be able to point to that exemption.
Example 2
Question: A contract modification under common law requires:
- Writing if the original contract was written
- Consideration for the modification to be enforceable
- Mutual assent but no additional consideration
- Approval by both parties' attorneys
Answer: B. Consideration for the modification to be enforceable
Explanation:
The correct answer is that a common law contract modification needs consideration to be enforceable. Each side must give something new, because a promise to do what you already owe is not a bargained-for exchange.
The option requiring a writing whenever the original was written is wrong because the form of the first agreement does not by itself set the form of the change. The option saying mutual assent is enough with no added consideration describes a looser rule than common law applies. The option requiring approval by both parties' attorneys is wrong because nothing in the doctrine depends on lawyers signing off.
Rule to remember: at common law, a modification needs new consideration, while the UCC relaxes that for sales of goods and asks for good faith instead.
Example 3
Question: Under California civil procedure, a party who fails to respond to properly served interrogatories may face which of the following consequences?
- Automatic entry of default judgment
- Waiver of objections and a court order compelling responses
- Immediate dismissal of the case
- Sanctions only if a motion is brought and the court finds bad faith
Answer: B. Waiver of objections and a court order compelling responses
Explanation:
The correct answer is waiver of objections and a court order compelling responses. A party that does not answer properly served interrogatories on time gives up its objections, and the other side can ask the court to compel answers.
Automatic default judgment is wrong because silence on discovery does not end the case by itself. Immediate dismissal is wrong for the same reason: the court moves through compulsion first, and harsher outcomes are reserved for continued defiance. The option saying sanctions only follow a motion and a finding of bad faith is wrong because it adds a bad faith requirement that the rule does not impose.
Rule to remember: missing a discovery response costs you your objections and invites a motion to compel, with more serious consequences if you keep ignoring the order.
How to use these practice tests
Start with the official material. Read the State Bar's pages on the exam, grading and the content areas, and note the target of 1390 out of 2000. Then use the table above to see which of the listed areas you already handle well and which you do not.
Work one subject at a time. Take a practice set for that subject with no notes, then read every explanation, including those for questions you got right, because a correct guess teaches nothing. Write the governing rule for each miss in a single line in your own words. Review that list before you start your next set.
- Weak areas first: give the subjects where you miss the most extra sessions, then return to your stronger ones so they do not fade.
- Mix subjects: once you have covered each area, switch between sets so you practise recognizing which rule applies, not just recalling it.
- Practise writing: use the essays and performance sets to rehearse organizing an answer under time pressure.
- Check the dates: work backward from your sitting, July 27–28, 2027 or February 23–24, 2027, and leave time at the end for review only.
Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions, so use them to find gaps in your knowledge, not to predict your score.
Key Takeaways
FREE CAS Bar Practice Test Online
- The CAS test is a crucial professional certification required for aspiring attorneys in California
- The exam consists of multiple components, including the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and California-specific essays and performance tests
- Thorough preparation, including mastering legal concepts, honing exam-taking strategies, and developing strong writing skills, is essential for success
- Understanding the exam structure, content, and scoring criteria can help candidates develop an effective study plan and approach the CAS test with confidence
- Passing the CAS exam is a significant milestone on the path to becoming a licensed attorney in the state of California
Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
Why is the CAS Test Important?
The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is a big part of the CAS. It's a test with many questions that cover a lot of legal topics. The NCBE gives this exam, and it checks if you know the basics of law and how to apply them. Doing well on this part is very important for passing the exam.
Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
Separately from the CAS itself, California also requires the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) — a distinct, NCBE-administered ethics exam. It is not one of the CAS test sections, but you must pass it (usually before or shortly after the bar exam) to be admitted to the California State Bar.
Knowing what the CAS is all about helps future lawyers prepare better. They can use this knowledge to improve their chances of doing well on these important exams.
California Bar Examination Essays
CAS (California State Bar Exam) Test
The California State Bar Exam, known as the CAS test, checks if someone knows the law, can think critically, and is ready for the job. It has two main parts: the essay questions and the performance test.
The essay part tests how well candidates can tackle tough legal issues and write about them clearly. They need to show they know the law, think deeply, and write well. These essays cover many legal topics, making candidates use their knowledge in real situations.
California Performance Test
The California Performance Test (PT) looks at how well candidates can use legal knowledge and solve problems quickly. Candidates get a client file and must write legal documents like briefs or contracts fast. This test sees if they can sort out information, find the right legal rules, and come up with logical solutions.
| Exam Component | Description | Skills Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| California Bar Examination Essays | Written responses to complex legal issues | Legal analysis, critical thinking, persuasive writing |
| California Performance Test | Drafting legal documents within a time constraint | Problem-solving, legal research, document drafting |
Knowing about the CAS test helps future lawyers plan their study and practice better. This can improve their chances of passing the California State Bar Exam.
Preparing for the Bar Exam
Law school graduates face a big challenge with the California Bar Exam (CAS). To pass, they need a solid plan. Using the right resources and strategies helps build the knowledge and confidence needed for success.
Creating a good study plan is crucial. This means making a timeline, focusing on key legal subjects, and setting aside time for practice. Many find a California bar review course helpful. It offers guidance, materials, and feedback.
- Establish a consistent study routine and stick to it
- Use practice tests and multiple-choice questions to identify strengths and weaknesses
- Familiarize yourself with the format and structure of the CAS, including the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
- Develop effective strategies for essay writing and the California Performance Test
- Engage in regular study groups or practice sessions with fellow law school graduates
It's important to focus on legal ethics and the rules for becoming a lawyer in California. Knowing the ethical and professional duties helps test-takers do well on the exam. It shows they're committed to the legal profession's high standards.
With a thorough approach to bar exam preparation, law school graduates can succeed on the CAS. They can start their career as licensed attorneys in California. Using test preparation resources and improving their skills leads to a rewarding legal career.
Related Law & Legal Practice Tests
If you are preparing for a career in law & legal, you may also find these related practice tests helpful:
Prepare for the Bar Exam — the US Bar Examination testing legal knowledge required for attorney licensing across all jurisdictions.
Prepare for the LSAT - Law School Admission Test — the Law School Admission Test required for admission to law schools in the US and Canada.
Prepare for the SQE1 - Solicitors Qualifying Examination Part 1 — the Solicitors Qualifying Examination Part 1 for aspiring solicitors in England and Wales.
Prepare for the SQE2 - Solicitors Qualifying Examination Part 2 — the SQE Part 2 practical legal skills assessment for trainee solicitors in the UK.
Prepare for the SQE - Solicitors Qualifying Examination — the Solicitors Qualifying Examination overview and preparation for legal practice in England and Wales.
- +Validates your knowledge and skills objectively
- +Increases job market competitiveness
- +Provides structured learning goals
- +Networking opportunities with other certified professionals
- −Study materials can be expensive
- −Exam anxiety can affect performance
- −Requires dedicated preparation time
- −Retake fees apply if you don't pass
Sample California State Bar Exam Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free California State Bar Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
A lawyer is representing a client in a civil litigation matter. The client instructs the lawyer to file a complaint with allegations that the lawyer knows are false. What should the lawyer do?
- A. File the complaint as instructed and withdraw from the case later.
- B. Refuse to file the complaint and explain to the client that the allegations must be truthful.
- C. File the complaint and disclose the false allegations to the court, but continue representing the client.
- D. File the complaint but include a note that the lawyer does not personally believe the allegations.
Answer: B. Refuse to file the complaint and explain to the client that the allegations must be truthful.
Lawyers have an ethical duty of candor to the tribunal and must not present false statements of fact or law to the court. Filing a complaint with known false allegations violates rules of professional conduct, such as California Rule of Professional Conduct 3.3. The lawyer must refuse to engage in such conduct and explain the ethical obligations to the client, potentially withdrawing if the client insists on the false allegations.
During settlement negotiations, an attorney tells opposing counsel that their client carries $500,000 in liability insurance coverage when the attorney knows the actual policy limit is $100,000. This conduct violates:
- A. No rule, because puffery and posturing are inherent in settlement negotiations
- B. The duty to maintain client confidentiality by revealing insurance information
- C. The prohibition on knowingly making false statements of material fact to a third person
- D. The duty of loyalty to the attorney's own client
Answer: C. The prohibition on knowingly making false statements of material fact to a third person
ABA Model Rule 4.1(a) and California RPC 4.1 prohibit knowingly making a false statement of material fact to a third party, including opposing counsel during negotiations.
During a motion hearing, an attorney cites a case as supporting authority but knows it was expressly overruled by the same appellate court two months earlier. This primarily violates:
- A. Candor toward the tribunal by making a false statement of law to the court
- B. The duty of competence by failing to research current case law
- C. The duty of communication by not informing the client of the adverse ruling
- D. The duty of confidentiality by revealing the attorney's legal research strategy
Answer: A. Candor toward the tribunal by making a false statement of law to the court
Citing overruled authority as valid precedent constitutes a false statement of law to the court, violating the duty of candor under California RPC 3.3(a)(1).
What remedies are available for challenging an agency decision in California?
- A. Administrative mandamus (writ of mandate) to compel or set aside agency actions
- B. Only monetary damages
- C. Criminal prosecution of agency officials
- D. No judicial remedy exists for agency decisions
Answer: A. Administrative mandamus (writ of mandate) to compel or set aside agency actions
The primary remedy is a petition for writ of mandate under Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1085 or 1094.5, allowing courts to review and set aside agency actions that are arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law.
(CAS Bar) California State Bar Exam Questions and Answers
Sources & last verified
- The State Bar of California — passing score (official source). “an applicant must have a total scale score (after one reading) of at least 1390 out of 2000 possible points” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.
- The State Bar of California — score release (official source). “Results from the February 2027 bar exam are scheduled to be released on April 30, 2027, through the Applicant Portal.” Verified Oct 30, 2026 · source checked Oct 30, 2026.
- The State Bar of California — next exam date (official source). “The February 2027 bar exam will take place over two days: Tuesday, February 23, and Wednesday, February 24.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.
- The State Bar of California — next exam date (official source). “The July 2027 bar exam will take place on Tuesday, July 27, and Wednesday, July 28.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.
- The State Bar of California — other (official source). “business associations” Verified Oct 31, 2026.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- calbar.ca.gov — Score release, passing score, exam dates, exam information · verified Oct 2026