essay exam writing for the california bar exam

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Essay Exam Writing for the California Bar Exam, Second Edition

• Mary Basick
• Tina Schindler

The Second Edition of Essay Exam Writing for the California Bar Exam contains everything needed to pass the essay portion of the California bar exam. The book combines a comprehensive, yet efficiently concise review of volumes of substantive law with the authors’ proven-effective strategic plan for writing passing bar essays. Rule outlines are supplemented with issues checklists to aid issue spotting and memorization attack sheets, to make memorization manageable, while practice questions productively cover favorite testing areas so bar study is targeted and effective.

New to the Second Edition Update:

• Recent and updated rule developments in all subjects
• Expanded coverage of topics emphasized on recent bar exams
• Updated issues tested matrices, rule memorization attack sheets, and topic specific approaches to reflect current testing trends
• Updated practice essay questions and answer grids in all subjects including crossover questions

Professors and students will benefit from:

• Concise easy to memorize rule statements
• Fact triggers and exam tips that aid the transition to bar exam writing style
• Easy to follow essay approaches for key topics
• Practice essay questions with corresponding answer grids identifying issues and analysis required for a passing score
• Realistic sample answers that could be written under timed conditions
• Coverage of all heavily tested topics in each subject and crossover questions
• Issues tested matrices identifying the subtopics tested in every essay given in 30+ years

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California Bar Exam Essay Guide

In this guide, we show you how to conquer the essay portion of the California Bar Exam.

We start by giving you a general overview of what is tested on the California Bar Exam, some California Bar Exam essay tips, and a frequency chart so you can see when particular subjects were tested.

Then, we dive into each of the 14 subjects that are fair game on the California Bar Exam and give you tips and tricks for each one.

Lastly, we give you the option to download a PDF of this guide if you would like to view all of the chapters at the same time or to save to consult later.

Send Me a PDF of the Guide:

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California Bar Exam Essay Guide Chapters

• Introduction to the Guide
• Chapter 1: What is Tested on California Bar Exam Essays : Here, we give you a brief overview of how the essay portion of the California Bar Exam is structured, what is tested on California Bar Exam essays, and when California distinctions are tested.
• Chapter 2: California Bar Exam Essay Tips : We reveal important essay tips to make sure you are writing essay answers that get the most points.
• Chapter 3: California Bar Exam Essay Frequency Chart : We show you exactly when each California Bar Exam subject has been tested so you can get a visual idea of the highly tested areas of law, plus the less tested areas of law.
• Chapter 4: Agency and Partnership
• Chapter 5: Civil Procedure
• Chapter 6: Community Property
• Chapter 7: Constitutional Law
• Chapter 8: Contracts
• Chapter 9: Corporations
• Chapter 10: Criminal Law
• Chapter 11: Evidence
• Chapter 12: Professional Responsibility
• Chapter 13: Real Property
• Chapter 14: Remedies
• Chapter 15: Torts
• Chapter 16: Trusts
• Chapter 17: Wills
• Chapter 18: Download PDF : We provide you with the option to download this guide in PDF form if you would like to view all of the chapters at the same time or to save to consult later.

The Goal of Our California Bar Exam Essay Guide

Students are often unsure how to approach the essay portion of the California Bar Exam. As a result, many students study ineffectively or inefficiently. The goal of our California Bar Exam Essay Guide is to help you find an effective and efficient approach to the California Bar Exam right from the beginning. This guide will help you feel confident on test day so you can conquer the essay portion of the California Bar Exam!

If you have any questions, we are happy to answer them. You can  contact us here  at your convenience. We love to hear from our readers!

Additional California Bar Exam Resources

Below are some additional California Bar Exam resources that we recommend: Please check out all our  California Bar Exam services here !

• California Bar Exam On Demand Course : Our On Demand California Bar Exam Course is tailored to work with your schedule so you can walk into the bar exam with confidence. It includes tailored outlines, access to prerecorded lectures that you can start and stop at your convenience, self-administered quizzes, 10 essays graded by a personal attorney essay grader, and released multiple-choice and essay questions. We give you everything you need to pass the California Bar Exam, on your time! Check out a preview of our course here.
• California Bar Exam private tutoring : We tutor for all aspects of the California Bar Exam! You get an outline relevant to the topic you are discussing with your purchase!
• MBE services : we have a variety of MBE services to help you pass the multiple-choice portion of the California Bar Exam.
• Essay feedback : we offer one-time or weekly essay feedback for the California Bar Exam.
• California Bar Exam One-Sheets : We summarize the highly tested topics on the California Bar Exam in one sheet, front and back, for each subject! Check out a sample here .

Go to the next topic, Chapter 1: What is Tested on California Bar Exam Essays .

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Essay Exam Writing for the California Bar Exam

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California Bar Exam: Essays

• Performance Test
• Multistate Bar Exam
• Business Associations
• Civil Procedure
• Community Property
• Constitutional Law
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Professional Responsibility
• Criminal Law and Procedure
• Real Property
• Performance Test Questions
• Online Resources
• Bar Review Books
• Games and Flashcards

CA Bar Exam Essay Test Instructions:

"Your answer should demonstrate your ability to analyze the facts in the question, to tell the difference between material facts and immaterial facts, and to discern the points of law and facts upon which the case turns. Your answer should show that you know and understand the pertinent principles and theories of law, their qualifications and limitations, and their relationships to each other. Your answer should evidence your ability to apply the law to the given facts and to reason in a logical, lawyer-like manner from the premises you adopt to a sound conclusion. Do not merely show that you remember legal principles; instead try to demonstrate your proficiency in using and applying them. If your answer contains only a statement of your conclusions, you will receive little credit. State fully the reasons that support your conclusions, and discuss all points thoroughly. Your answer should be complete, but you should not volunteer information or discuss legal doctrines that are not pertinent to the solution of the problem. Unless a question expressly asks you to use California law, you should answer according to legal theories and principles of general application."

Essay Test Prep Materials

CA Bar Exam Questions and Selected Answers by Subject   (Please bear in mind that these are not model answers, but actual answers to past exams that may include some errors. Available to UC Law SF students only)

• << Previous: Bar Exam Basics
• Next: Performance Test >>
• Last Updated: Jan 24, 2024 4:31 PM
• URL: https://libguides.uclawsf.edu/ca-bar-exam

• Jan 22, 2023

Passing the Essay Portion of the California Bar Exam: Insider Tips and Strategies

Understand the format of the exam: The essay portion of the California bar exam consists of five essay questions that are based on the subjects tested on the exam. These questions are designed to test your ability to analyze legal issues, apply the law to given facts, and communicate your analysis effectively .

Study the relevant law : The essay portion of the California bar exam is based on the law that is tested on the exam. Therefore, it is essential that you have a thorough understanding of the relevant law before you take the exam. Unfortunately, memorization alone will not suffice in passing the essay portion of the California bar exam. It's important that you understand how the rule applies. This includes studying past essay exams to see how a certain legal rule was used with a unique set of facts. You have to understand how one legal rule can be used in multiple ways.

Practice writing essays: One of the best ways to prepare for the essay portion of the California bar exam is to practice writing essays. This will help you develop your writing skills and become more comfortable with the format of the exam. You can find sample essay questions and model answers on the California State Bar website. Pro tip: there is a 99% chance that PR is going to be tested so it's wise to study and take a look at most, if not all, past PR exams that were administered. Scoring high enough on PR will offset other lower scoring essays.

Use IRAC/CREAC method: IRAC is an acronym for Issue, Rule, Analysis, and Conclusion. CREAC is an acronym for Conclusion, Rule, Explanation, Application, Conclusion. Using this method can help you organize your thoughts and present a clear and logical analysis of the legal issues in the essay question.

Time management: The essay portion of the California bar exam is timed, so it is essential that you manage your time effectively. Make sure to read through all of the essay questions before you begin writing, and plan out how much time you will spend on each portion of the essay. We recommend not spending more than one allotted hour per essay subject. You should have a pre-planned approach for each essay. Here is what you should be thinking about: how much time do I spend outlining? How much time should I spend writing? How many times should I read the fact pattern? The more practice essay exams you do, the better prepared you will be on exam day!

Proofreading : Always proofreading your essay before submitting, it could be a game changer in terms of points. Make sure to take the time to proofread your essays and correct any errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling (if you have the time)!

Get feedback : If possible, have a mentor, attorney, professor or someone who has taken the bar exam before to review your essays. Getting feedback on your writing can help you improve your skills and identify areas where you need to focus your study efforts.

These tips should help you to prepare effectively for the essay portion of the California bar exam. Remember to study the relevant law, practice writing essays, use the IRAC/CREAC method, manage your time well, proofread your work and get feedback from an expert.

Understanding the Internal Scoring System: A breakdown of how essays are graded on the California Bar Exam:

See below for a guide to the components and percentage weight assigned for each component on the California Bar Exam. You will be graded on the following components: Organization/format; issue spotting; rule statements; analysis; and conclusion.

Analysis: 40%

Issue Spotting: 25%

Rule Statements: 20%

Organization/format: 10%

Conclusion: 5%

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California Bar Exam and MPRE: 2. The Essay Component

• 1. Subjects Tested on the Exam
• 2. The Essay Component
• 3. The Performance Tests
• 4. The Multistate Bar Exam
• 5. Bar Exam Fees

About the MPRE

• Planning During Law School & Checklist
• 1. Commercial Bar Review Courses
• 2. Free Online Study Aids
• 3. Bar Review Books

Guide Outline

Introduction

About the Bar Exam

Subjects Tested on the Exam

The Essay Component

The Performance Tests

The Multistate Bar Exam

Bar Exam Fees

Planning During Law School

Second and Third Years

Studying for the Bar

Commercial Bar Review Courses

Free Online Study Aids

Bar Review Books

Helpful Information

• The State Bar of California [URL] Provides information regarding the California Bar Examination, including a summary of the requirements for admission to practice law in California, information about how to register to take the bar exam, links to forms, and other important details.
• MBE Information Provides a description of the Multistate Bar Examination, or the multiple-choice portion of the bar exam. Outlines subjects covered, provides sample questions, and guidelines for taking the exam.
• MPRE Information Provides a description of the MPRE, including an outline of the subject matter covered, sample questions, and guidelines for taking the exam.

The Essay Component of the Bar Exam

Each essay question is designed to measure your ability to analyze legal issues arising from factual situations.  Graders look for your ability to:

• analyze the facts of the question;
• tell the difference between material and immaterial facts;
• discern the points of law and fact upon which the question turns; and
• apply relevant legal principles to the factual scenarios provided.

Answers that merely state conclusions will receive little credit.  In addition, unless a question expressly asks you to use California law, bar exam instructions advise that you should answer according to legal theories and principles of general application.  The California State Bar provides online access to essay questions and selected answers from past examinations.  For your convenience, links to PDF files for the essay questions and selected answers from recent years are provided below.

• << Previous: 1. Subjects Tested on the Exam
• Next: 3. The Performance Tests >>
• Last Updated: Oct 2, 2023 10:14 AM
• URL: https://libguides.law.ucla.edu/calbarexam

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