CAS BAR Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CAS BAR facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Under California's Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (Family Code § 1600 et seq.), which provision in a premarital agreement is NOT enforceable? → A provision that adversely affects a child's right to support
2. Under California community property law, which of the following is presumed to be community property? → Property acquired by either spouse during marriage
3. Which of the following law firm advertisements would MOST clearly violate the California Rules of Professional Conduct? → A billboard stating 'The Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in California—Guaranteed Results'
4. On the MBE, which of the following is an element of larceny that distinguishes it from embezzlement? → The defendant must obtain initial possession wrongfully (trespassory taking).
5. California registered domestic partners have rights under state law that are: → Identical to the rights and responsibilities of married spouses under California law
6. How much time is allocated for each Performance Test on the current California Bar Exam? → 90 minutes
7. What remedies are available for challenging an agency decision in California? → Administrative mandamus (writ of mandate) to compel or set aside agency actions
8. The 'substantial evidence' standard of review applies when: → A court reviews formal agency adjudication or rulemaking on the record
9. What is California's community property system? → Property acquired during marriage is presumed equally owned by both spouses
10. When a California state agency fails to respond to a petition for rulemaking, the proper remedy for an aggrieved party is to: → File a writ of mandate in superior court to compel the agency to initiate rulemaking
11. Under Garcetti v. Ceballos and Pickering v. Board of Education, a public employee's speech receives First Amendment protection when: → The employee speaks as a citizen on a matter of public concern
12. The business judgment rule in California corporate law protects directors from liability when they: → Make informed, good faith business decisions in the best interest of the corporation
13. California's recording statute (Civil Code §1214) is best characterized as: → A race-notice statute — a subsequent purchaser must lack notice and record first
14. George receives stolen goods knowing they are stolen. He is charged with receipt of stolen property. Which element does the prosecution NOT need to prove? → That George personally participated in the original theft
15. In California, the parol evidence rule generally prevents admission of prior oral agreements to: → Contradict the terms of a fully integrated written contract
16. The doctrine of transferred intent allows a defendant to be liable for battery when: → Both A and C
17. When the Performance Test library includes both a statute and a case interpreting that statute, which should govern your analysis? → The statute as primary authority, read in light of the case's interpretation
18. Under California's class action requirements (CCP §382), which element is typically considered the most important for class certification? → Community of interest—common questions of law or fact predominate
19. Which procedural requirement must generally be satisfied before a shareholder can file a derivative suit in California? → The plaintiff must make a demand on the board or demonstrate that demand would be futile
20. Dan shoots at Victor intending to kill him, but misses and the bullet kills Bystander. Under the doctrine of transferred intent, Dan is most likely guilty of: → Murder of Bystander and attempted murder of Victor
21. Which type of agency authority arises from a principal's conduct that leads a third party to reasonably believe the agent is authorized to act? → Apparent authority
22. Defendant picks up a gun thinking it is unloaded and pulls the trigger, killing Victim. Which mental state best describes Defendant's culpability? → Negligence
23. A seller in California delivers 500 units when the contract called for 600. Under UCC perfect tender rule, the buyer may: → Both B and C
24. Under California RPC 1.8.3, an attorney may accept a substantial gift from a client—such as a bequest of real property in the client's will—only if: → The client is related to the attorney by blood or marriage
25. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 580d, a lender who forecloses on a deed of trust through the non-judicial (trustee's sale) process: → Is completely barred from obtaining any deficiency judgment after the trustee's sale
26. Under Family Code § 3901, child support generally terminates when the child: → Turns 18, or turns 19 if still a full-time high school student living with a parent
27. Under the MBE, which of the following is NOT a recognized method of accepting an offer? → Rejection of the offer followed by a counter-proposal accepted by the original offeror.
28. Under California contract law, anticipatory repudiation occurs when a party: → Clearly indicates before the performance date that it will not perform
29. Under the anti-commandeering doctrine established in Printz v. United States, Congress: → May not conscript state executive officers to carry out federal regulatory schemes
30. Under the insanity defense based on the M'Naghten test, a defendant is excused if, as a result of mental disease, the defendant: → Did not know the nature of the act or did not know it was wrong