WA BAR Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. In Washington, first-degree murder under RCW 9A.32.030 requires which mental state? → Premeditated intent to cause death
2. Washington criminalizes harassment under RCW 9A.46.020. What mental state is required? → Knowingly threatening to cause bodily injury
3. In Washington, a vendor selling real property under an installment land contract who accepts payments after the buyer's default may be required to: → Seek judicial foreclosure rather than forfeiture
4. In Washington, a court may modify a final parenting plan based on a showing of: → A substantial change in the circumstances of the child or either parent
5. Under Washington law, what is the statute of limitations for prosecuting a class A felony? → No limitation period
6. Washington's recording act is best classified as which type? → Race-notice statute
7. Washington recognizes strict liability for which of the following? → Engaging in abnormally dangerous activities
8. In Washington, which remedy is available when a party willfully destroys evidence after litigation is reasonably anticipated? → Adverse inference instruction or dismissal as spoliation remedies
9. Under Washington's robbery statute (RCW 9A.56.190), what distinguishes robbery from theft? → Robbery requires the use or threatened use of force or fear
10. Under Washington's child support guidelines (RCW 26.19), how is the basic child support obligation calculated? → Based on the combined monthly net income of both parents from standardized economic tables
11. Under the Washington Civil Rules, how many days does a defendant have to serve an answer after being served with a summons and complaint? → 30 days
12. Under Washington CR 56, a motion for summary judgment must be filed at least how many days before the hearing? → 28 days
13. Under Washington's dissolution law, what is a 'decree of legal separation' as distinct from dissolution? → It does not end the marriage but allows separate property division and support orders
14. What is the maximum sentence for a class B felony in Washington under the SRA? → 10 years
15. What is the statute of limitations for personal injury actions in Washington? → 3 years
16. Washington's Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act primarily governs which type of property? → Condominiums and homeowner associations
17. Under Washington law, which doctrine allows a court to transfer venue when the chosen venue is not convenient? → Forum non conveniens
18. Under Washington's consumer protection law, what remedy is available to a prevailing private plaintiff under the CPA? → Treble damages up to $25,000, attorney fees, and injunctive relief
19. What is the general statute of limitations for personal injury tort claims in Washington state? → 3 years from the date of injury
20. Under Washington law, which of the following best describes a joint tenancy compared to a tenancy in common? → Joint tenancy requires equal shares and includes right of survivorship
21. Which of the following actions would most likely constitute a conflict of interest under the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct? → Representing a client in a matter where the lawyer has a personal financial interest
22. Which of the following is a characteristic of a general partnership under Washington law? → Equal management rights among partners unless otherwise agreed
23. Under Washington's UCC, the implied warranty of merchantability applies to which seller? → Only sellers who are merchants with respect to goods of that kind
24. Under Washington defamation law, what level of fault must a private plaintiff prove when the defamatory statement concerns a matter of private concern? → Negligence as to the truth or falsity of the statement
25. Under Washington's Uniform Parentage Act, a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity signed by both parents has what legal effect? → Has the same force as a court judgment establishing parentage after 60 days
26. Under Washington's Marketable Record Title Act, what is the period a chain of title must be unbroken to establish a marketable record title? → 50 years
27. Under Washington's condominium law, when does a developer's implied warranty of habitability apply to a new condominium unit? → For 4 years after the first conveyance or 2 years after discovery
28. Under Washington common law, which doctrine allows a court to excuse non-performance when an unforeseeable event makes performance impossible? → Impracticability/impossibility of performance
29. What Washington statute governs the creation and enforcement of easements by necessity? → RCW 8.24.010 (private ways of necessity)
30. Under Washington law, which of the following is NOT a duty owed by a corporate director to the corporation? → Duty of obedience