Instructions for the Application to take the California Bar Examination

Examination Date and Time
The February 2010 California Bar Examination will be administered in the morning and afternoon on February 23, 24, and 25, 2010.

General Bar Examination vs. Attorneys’ Examination
The General Bar Examination has three parts: six essay questions, the Multistate Bar Examination (200 multiple-choice questions), and two performance tests. Each session of the examination is three hours. The following table shows the examination schedule:

The Attorney’s Examination has two parts: six essay questions and two performance tests. Each session of the examination is three hours. Applicants approved for the Attorneys’ Examination will not be permitted to take the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). The following table shows the examination schedule:

Essay Questions
Each three-hour essay session consists of three essay questions. This part of the examination is designed to measure an applicant's ability to analyze legal issues arising from fact situations. Answers are expected to demonstrate the applicant's ability to analyze the facts of the question, to tell the difference between material facts and immaterial facts, and to discern the points of law and fact upon which the question turns. The answer must show knowledge and understanding of the pertinent principles and theories of law, their qualifications and limitations, and their relationships to each other. The answer should evidence the applicant's ability to apply the law to the given facts and to reason in a logical, lawyer-like manner from the premises adopted to a sound conclusion. An applicant should not merely show that they remember the legal principles, but should demonstrate his/her proficiency in using and applying them.

Multistate Bar Examination
The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), which is administered on Wednesday, is developed and graded by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). This portion of the examination is an objective six-hour examination containing 200 questions, which is divided into two three-hour sessions during which 100 questions are administered. The MBE tests six subjects: Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. Information concerning the MBE is available through the NCBE’s website at www.ncbex.org.

Performance Test
Performance test questions are designed to test an applicant's ability to understand and apply a select number of legal authorities in the context of a factual problem. Each question consists of a file and library, with instructions advising the applicant what task(s) should be performed.

In addition to measuring an applicant's ability to analyze legal issues, performance test questions require applicants to:

1. Sift through detailed factual material and separate relevant from irrelevant facts, assess the consistency and reliability of facts, and determine the need for and source of additional facts;
2. Analyze the legal rules and principles applicable to a problem and formulate legal theories from facts that may be only partly known and are being developed;
3. Recognize and resolve ethical issues arising in practical situations;
4. Apply problem solving skills to diagnose a problem, generate alternative solutions, and develop a plan of action; and,
5. Communicate effectively, whether advocating, advising a client, eliciting information, or effectuating a legal transaction.

Performance test answers are graded on the applicant's responsiveness to instructions and on the content, thoroughness, organization and persuasiveness of written tasks.

Scope of the California Bar Examination
For a detailed explanation of the scope of the California Bar Examination, refer to the bulletin "Scope of the California Bar Examination" which can be accessed through the Admissions' portion of the State Bar's website at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions.

Registration as a Law Student/Attorney
Any person submitting an Application to take the California Bar Examination must have registered as a law student or as an attorney with the Committee of Bar Examiners (Committee) prior to submitting the application in compliance with Section 6060 of the Business and Professions Code and accordance with the provisions of Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 2, section 4.16 (B) (Admissions Rules). An application for the California Bar Examination will be considered incomplete if the applicant has not previously registered. If an applicant has not done so, a separate "Registration" application must be completed and filed with the appropriate registration fee and late fee. Registration is only available online at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions.

As a convenience to applicants not yet registered, the Office of Admissions will receive for processing applications for the California Bar Examination when such applications are submitted simultaneously with the Registration application. However, applicants are advised that if they fail to register within 10 days following the receipt of their application or prior to the final filing deadline, the application will be terminated and a refund of the application fees will be processed. Keep in mind that if an applicant does not have a bachelor's degree or transcripts of undergraduate study, a pre-legal education certification submitted by the law school must be received before the registration can be approved. If the application is terminated and the applicant decides to register and reapply after the application has been terminated, he/she will be subject to any applicable deadlines and late fees.

Eligibility
General Applicant
A first time general applicant establishes eligibility to take the General Bar Examination if he or she satisfies the pre-legal education and legal education requirements of the Admissions Rules.

Proof of law study must be filed for all first-time applicants in order to determine academic eligibility to take the General Bar Examination. See deadlines.

Applicant's must either be graduates of law schools approved by the American Bar Association or accredited by the Committee; or have completed four years in an ABA or Committee accredited law school or in a law school registered with the Committee; in a law office; in a judge's chambers; or by some combination of these methods; or meet the requirements for legal education in a foreign country; and have established exemption from the First-Year Law Students' Examination.

Applicant's meeting any of these requirements will be found eligible for the examination and will not be entitled to refund on the basis of ineligibility for the examination.

Attorney Applicants
A first time attorney applicant establishes eligibility to take the General Bar Examination if he or she is admitted to practice law in any United States or foreign jurisdiction, and is in good standing. He/She must submit proof of admission to the Los Angeles Office of Admissions. See deadlines.

Attorney applicants admitted to practice law in any United States jurisdiction, possession, territory, or dependency the United States hereafter acquires may take the Attorneys’ Examination provided that he or she has been an active member in good standing for at least four years immediately preceding the first day of the administration of the California Bar Examination for which the applicant applied. He/She must submit proof of admission to the Los Angeles Office of Admissions. See deadlines.

Suspended or Disbarred Attorneys
Please note that while attorneys who are suspended or disbarred in another jurisdiction are permitted to register as attorney applicants or file applications to take the bar examination, Rule 4.41 (B) of the Admissions Rules prevents them from filing a moral character determination application while so disciplined.

Foreign Educated Applicants
Please refer to the bulletin for law students receiving their legal education outside the United States for any additional information.

Proof of Admission
A current Certificate of Good Standing from the highest court of each jurisdiction to which admitted must be submitted on or before the deadline in order to determine eligibility to take either the General Bar Examination or Attorneys’ Examination.

Forward all certificates to the Los Angeles Office of Admissions.

Proof of Law Study
After the application has been filed, a bar-coded Law School Certification form will be sent to all law schools attended by the applicant. Law schools must certify that the applicant has fulfilled the legal education requirements set forth in Rule 4.26 of the Admissions Rules and return the form to the Los Angeles Office of Admissions by the established deadline. Applicants will be allowed to take the examination based upon certification by the law school that the applicant has met the pre-legal education and legal education requirements. If law school certifications/transcripts are not received by the final law school certification deadline, applicants will be notified. Applicants will have until the final eligibility deadline to submit certifications/transcripts. If these eligibility documents are not received by the final eligibility deadline, the application will be abandoned and no refund will be made. Any outstanding fees will be required to be paid before an applicant is allowed to take any future examination.

The school must also submit a certified law school transcript. It can be submitted with the certification or separately no later than 15 days following administration of the examination. Failure to do so will result in the applicant's eligibility status being voided and the applicant will not be eligible for any subsequent examination until the transcript is received. If an applicant's law school requires that the applicant personally request transcripts and/or pay a transcript fee, the applicant will need to fulfill the requirements for the release of the required transcripts.

Most law schools outside of California require that applicants personally request and sign a release for a law school certification/transcript and/or pay a transcript fee. In those instances, the applicant will need to fulfill the requirements for the release of the required transcripts.

Applicants who submit applications less than 3 weeks prior to the final filing deadline are advised to contact their law schools directly to request that certified transcripts be sent to the Office of Admissions prior to the final eligibility deadline.

Laptop Computers
For information on using a laptop computer, please refer to the Laptop Computer Program Bulletin at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions.

Deadlines

	February 2010 Exam
Timely filing deadline	November 2, 2009
Withdrawal Deadline (60% refund)	December 2, 2009
Withdrawal Deadline (30% refund)	December 17, 2009
Final filing deadline	January 15, 2010
Change of Address	January 15, 2010
Exam Type Change Request (for Attorney Applicants only)	January 15, 2010
Testing Accommodations Petition Final Filing Deadline (Petitions must be complete)	January 15, 2010
Test Center Change Request	January 15, 2010
Final Eligibility Deadline	February 9, 2010
Proof of Admission (first-time Attorney Applicants)	February 9, 2010
Proof of Law Study (first-time applicants for the General Bar Examination)	February 9, 2010
Final deadline to withdraw from examination	February 9, 2010

Testing Accommodations
All petitions for testing accommodations based upon disabilities existing prior to the final filing deadline must be received by the Committee no later than the final filing deadline, although earlier filing is strongly encouraged. The fact that an applicant was unable to get an appointment with his/her specialist before the final filing deadline, is not grounds for consideration as an emergency petition. Petitions may be filed prior to filing an application for the examination; however, the applicant must be registered with the Committee, otherwise the petition will not be processed. Requests for new or expanded accommodations from applicants who received accommodations during previous examinations must also be received no later than the final filing deadline and must be filed separately, on the Committee's form, from the examination application form. Applicants who wait to file their requests near the final filing deadline may not have the opportunity to exhaust all administrative avenues before administration of the examination, such as appealing the decision of the Senior Executive, Admissions to the Committee. Petition forms are available upon request from the Office of Admissions or through the Admissions portion of the State Bar's website at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions.

Petitions should be sent to the San Francisco Office of Admissions. Applicants with disabilities who wish to use a typewriter or computer must pay the applicable fee. If, however, an applicant's disability directly relates to use of such equipment, a request for a refund of the fee paid may be filed with the Testing Accommodation department in San Francisco. The request for a refund must be accompanied by the appropriate documentation.

Testing accommodations are available to individuals with a mental or physical disability, as defined under Chapter 7 Testing Accommodations of the Admissions Rules. Depending on the nature of the disability, accommodations may include assistants (e.g., readers, helpers, etc.), wheelchair access, permission to dictate, customized timing, separate testing room, customized examination materials (e.g., Braille, large print, etc.), and permission to bring and use specific items or medical aids. The Committee does not offer or recommend to any applicant specific types of accommodations. The applicant and his/her physician/specialist should request what they think is necessary to allow the applicant to compete on an equal basis with all other applicants and provide adequate rationale to support their request.

The Committee's policies, procedures, and forms to file a petition for testing accommodations are available through the Admissions portion of the State Bar's website at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions. Petitions without the required documentation will not be considered complete until all necessary documentation is received, which must be no later than the final filing deadline. Subsequent requests for testing accommodations and new petitions for testing accommodations received after the final filing deadline will not be processed for the administration of the current examination. Applicants previously granted accommodations based on permanent disabilities who want exactly the same accommodations may request such through the submission of their application. In some cases, additional or updated documentation may be required to process an applicant’s request. All others who wish to request accommodations for the first time, for different or expanded accommodations than previously granted, or for temporary disabilities must submit a petition separately from the bar examination application and the petition and required documentation and verification must be on the Committee’s forms by the established deadline. The last day to file an emergency petition based on an injury that did not exist prior to the final filing deadline is 10 days prior to the first day of the exam. Deadlines will not be extended.

Withdrawals/Absences/Ineligibles
In order to withdraw from the examination, the Withdrawal Form may be used or a letter sent to the Los Angeles Office of Admissions.

An applicant who withdraws from the examination, is absent, or is deemed ineligible for the examination is subject to the same filing deadlines as applicants who did not take the previous examination.

Requests to withdraw received after the final withdrawal deadline will not be processed.

Requests for reinstatement of an application will be honored only if accompanied by all appropriate fees including the current late filing fee in effect at the time of reinstatement. No requests for reinstatement will be honored after the final filing deadline.

Applications for the next examination will be available through the Admissions portion of the State Bar's website at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions.

Withdrawal Refund Policy
General Bar and Attorneys' Examination:
1. Withdrawal of applications and requests for refunds received within 30 days after the timely filing deadline, both by first time applicants and repeater applicants will be honored with a 60% refund of all fees paid in connection with the subject examination.

2. Withdrawal of applications and requests for refunds received within 45 days after the timely filing deadline by first time applicants, will be honored with a 30% refund of all fees paid in connection with the subject examination. This deadline also applies to those applicants who have previously taken an examination but who did not take the most recent examination

Withdrawal of applications and requests for refunds received within 35 days after the deadline for timely filing by applicants seeking to repeat the examination, having been unsuccessful on the examination last administered preceding the examination into which current admission was sought, will be honored with a 30% refund of all fees paid in conjunction with the subject examination.

3. Requests for refunds filed in excess of 45 days after the timely filing deadline, by first time applicants and applicants who have previously taken an examination but did not take the most recent examination, will not be considered.

Requests for refunds filed in excess of 35 days after the deadline for timely filing by applicants seeking to repeat the examination having been unsuccessful on the examination last administered preceding the examination into which current admission was sought, will not be considered.

Requests to withdraw received after the final deadline to withdraw will not be processed.

The transfer of fees from one examination to another is prohibited.

Refunds requested due to hospitalization, death or call to active duty in the armed forces of the United States will be considered in accordance with the Committee’s refund policy.

Fees
All applicants must pay the required fees. The schedule of fees for the California Bar Examination is listed below.

California Bar Examination	Fee
General Applicants    Attorney Applicants	$556.00 $808.00
Laptop Fee	$125.00
Late Laptop fee (requested after submitting application)	$15.00

To avoid payment of a late filing fee, an application must be accepted online no later than 11:59 PM PT on or before the Time Filing Deadline for the February 2010 California Bar Examination. All applications filed between the dates listed below must be accompanied by a late filing fee:

Fee	February 2010 Exam
$50.00 Late Filing Fee	November 3, 2009 - November 30, 2009
$250.00 Late Filing Fee	December 1, 2009 - January 15, 2010

Application Completion
Applications to take the California Bar Examination that are not brought to a complete and filed status by the final filing deadline will be abandoned. This includes the lack of fees and/or required documentation. No refund of fees will be paid in the event that the application is abandoned. Any outstanding fees will be required to be paid before an applicant is allowed to take any future examinations.

Outstanding Fees
Any outstanding fees will be required to be paid before an applicant is allowed to take any future examinations.

Application Abandonment
An application that is not brought to a complete and filed status by the final filing deadline will be abandoned. This includes requisite fees and/or the required documentation. Once the application is filed, if the applicant receives notice to provide information, but does not provide such information by the final eligible deadline, the application will be abandoned. No refund of fees will be paid in the event an application is abandoned. Any outstanding fees will be required to be paid before the applicant is allowed to submit any future application.

Completion of Application
Before submitting the application, the applicant should make sure that he/she previously registered with the Committee and confirm that all questions have been answered. Applications that are not brought to a complete and filed status within 60 days of receipt, or the final filing deadline will be abandoned. No refund of fees will be paid in the event an application is abandoned.

Ineligible Applicants
Applicants for an examination who are subsequently found not to have completed the requisite legal education will be deemed ineligible. Such applicants are entitled to 60% refund of all fees paid in connection with the examination, if academic deficiency is substantiated by certified law school transcripts, and such transcripts indicating all law study completed are received in the Los Angeles Office of Admissions by the final eligibility deadline.

Grading
For a detailed explanation of the grading process, refer to the bulletin "Description and Grading of the California Bar Examination: General Bar Examination and Attorney's Examination" which can be accessed through the Admissions' portion of the State Bar's website at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions.

Do Not Grade Policy
Effective with the administration of the July 2003 examination, the "Do Not Grade Policy" was rescinded. The answers of anyone present for the examination, partially or wholly, will be graded and the scores will be reported to the applicant.

Admittance Tickets
Admittance cards are mailed to eligible applicants at least 4 - 6 weeks prior to the administration of the examination. Any applicant not receiving an admittance card at least three weeks prior to examination and who has not otherwise been notified of being ineligible must contact the Office of Admissions to secure a duplicate card.

Examination Test Center Change
Test center changes will only be considered upon petition showing good cause. Applicants wishing to change the test center to which they have been assigned must complete the test center change request form on or before the deadline. A request to change to a laptop test center must be accompanied by the applicable fee and the late laptop fee.

Examination Test Center Address List
—February 2010 Test Center Address List

Repeaters
Applicants from a prior examination must complete a new Application To Take the California Bar Examination form and file the appropriate fees for each examination.

Applicants repeating from the most recent examination have separate filing deadlines.

Study Aids
Forms to order materials that might be of assistance to applicants in determining that which the Committee desires in an answer to a bar examination question are available through the Admissions portion of the State Bar's website at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions.

Commencing with the July 2001 examination, the essay questions, performance tests and selected answers for that and future examinations are available free of charge through the Admissions portion of the State Bar's website at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions.

Examination Attendance Policy
If an applicant does not attend a required, scheduled examination session, the applicant will not be permitted to attend any remaining examination session(s). Applicants must make a good faith attempt to complete each portion of the examination for which they are present. An applicant's attempt to circumvent security procedures may lead to voiding the applicant's attendance at a session, and the applicant may be prohibited from attending any remaining examination session(s). Applicants taking the Attorney's Examination are excused from the Wednesday sessions and will be allowed back into the examination test center on Thursday morning if they were present for both sessions on Tuesday.

Late Arrival to the Test Center
Applicants who arrive at the test center after one (1) hour of testing has elapsed will not be permitted to enter the test center.

Change of Address
Changes of address received six weeks or less prior to the examination may not be processed in time for the change to appear on the admittance card.

Results from the examination will be mailed to the address of record. Applicants should notify the Office of Admissions in writing of any address changes following the filing of the application. Address changes that are not received timely will not be processed for purposes associated with the mailing of results.

Release of Results
Results from the July administration of the examination are scheduled for mailing on November 20, 2009. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the date the results are mailed, results will be available to applicants through the Admissions portion of the State Bar's website at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions. Applicants will be able to access the State Bar's website, enter their file and application numbers to find whether their names appear on the pass list. Application numbers are assigned following receipt of completed application forms and communicated to applicants on the admittance cards for the examination. The applicants should retain the cards after the examination is administered to enable easy access to those numbers at the time results are released.

If admittance cards are lost, requests for file and applicant numbers for the purpose of accessing the pass list through the State Bar’s website must be in writing and the numbers will not be released over the telephone

Time Limitation for Eligibility for Certification
No applicant shall be eligible for certification to the Supreme Court of California for admission to practice law unless such certification shall have been made and the applicant shall have taken the attorney’s oath of office within five years after the last day of the California Bar Examination at which the applicant was successful, unless for good cause in a particular case the Committee extends such time limitation.

Admissions Rules
The Application to take the General Bar Examination will be processed in accordance with the Admissions Rules. The current Rules are available through the Admissions portion of the State Bar's website at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions.