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  • May 3, 2023

July 2023 California Bar Exam Predictions

Updated: Aug 19, 2023

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The Good Stuff

Welcome back, folks! As many of you are aware, our prediction accuracy for the California Bar Exam has been unmatched to date. Hence, the small fee requested in exchange for a great benefit. This document, as always, should be used to better focus your area of studies for the upcoming California Bar Exam. We cannot make any guarantees as to our bar exam predictions and always encourage our students to study every subject that could be tested on the California Bar Exam.

Without further ado, here are Cal Bar Bible, LLC’s predictions for the July 2023 California Bar Exam (in no particular order):

1. Contracts w/ Remedies

3. Community Property

4. Business Associations (Agency & Partnership)

5. Professional Responsibility

Wild card*: Torts or Wills & Trusts

A closer look at our predictions

The California bar exam covers a vast majority of legal rules within each subject. The wealth of information contained within each essay subject is one of the reasons the California bar exam is difficult to pass. However, the bar examiners love retesting issues and focusing their attention to specific legal rules that are tested over and over again. Based on this pattern and drawing from past exams administered, we have compiled a list of hot topics for the predicted subjects:

Contracts w/ Remedies

Specific performance; contract formation; breach; anticipatory repudiation; misrepresentation; specific performance; modification; equitable remedies; damages.

Conspiracy; Homicide; Theft Crimes.

4th Amendment: Search & Seizure; Reasonable Expectation of Privacy; Terry Stops; Warrant Requirements (Applicable Exceptions)

5th Amendment: Confessions; Miranda

6th Amendment: Right to Counsel; When it Attaches.

Community Property

CP vs. SP; Commingling funds; Quasi CP; Gifts; Stock Options & Child Support; Transmutation; Putative Spouse; Debts; Torts.

Business Associations (Agency & Partnership)

LLPs; general partnerships; authority; fiduciary duties; and dissociation/dissolution.

Professional Responsibility

Duty of loyalty; Duty of Confidentiality; Fee Agreements/Fee Sharing; Withdrawal; Safeguard Client’s Property; Malpractice; Duties to the Court; Duty of Competence.

Negligence; Products Liability; Defamation; Strict Liability; Tort Defenses. *Special Note : We had a real predicament as Crimes and Torts were both presenting equally in terms of appearing for the July 2023 CA Bar Exam. Ultimately, we picked Crimes over Torts. However, we included Torts as a wild card, but in full disclosure, it almost made the final cut as the official 5 predictions. In short, be adequately prepared for BOTH subjects.

Wills & Trusts

Types of Trusts; Termination; Duties of Trustee; Abatement

Creation of Will; Formalities; Validity of Will; Revocation; Omitted Spouse/Child, Codicils; Ademption; Lapse/Anti Lapse.

Our materials are straight to the point and provide you with all the tools you need to pass the California Bar Exam. We have compiled a comprehensive study guide that will help overcome barriers faced by all bar takers – whether it’s your first time taking the exam, or you are a repeater, our Cal Bar Bible materials (only $199) includes all subjects tested on the California Bar Exam. Each CBB subject copy includes an essay checklist, simplified and easy to memorize rule statements, condensed study sheets, essay templates, essay cheat sheets, outlines, hot topics, essay tracking, issue spotting, and much more to help you pass the formidable CA Bar Exam. Feel free to checkout a sample of a CBB copy on Civil Procedure here .

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JD Advising’s July 2023 California Bar Exam Predictions

Are you preparing for the July 2023 California Bar Exam? Are you curious as to what subjects might appear on the July 2023 essays and PT? You can see our JD Advising list of recommended topics and essays to review below.

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You can find our predictions for essay and PT subjects by downloading our PDF. You can do so by filling out the form. Note: you will get our predictions as well as this CA study guide.

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Note:  all the suggested essays noted below can be found for free on the State Bar of California website using the links below.

If you are looking for other resources, please check out the following:

  • Free California Bar Exam Essay Guide of highly tested topics! It is free, so you cannot go wrong! (While you are at it, check out our highly rated free  MBE Guide , which was just updated!)
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Disclaimer:  You should NOT rely solely on these July 2023 California Bar Exam predictions when you study! You should review all subjects when preparing for the California Bar Exam. All subjects are fair game for the exam. This is just our educated guess on what will appear on the exam, which we do for fun! Sometimes we are right. Sometimes we are not! Please review our  Free California Bar Exam Essay Guide  for the highly tested topics and be careful not to ignore any subject! Now, onto our July 2023 California Bar Exam essay and PT predictions.

Below is our California Bar Exam Study Guide, which includes all of the subjects and topics. 

To see the predictions, please download them after agreeing to the terms above. , jd advising’s july 2023 california essay study guide, civil procedure.

Civil Procedure was just tested in February 2023 where the issues included discovery and joinder. California does not frequently test Civil Procedure on the essays in back-to-back administrations, but it has happened (it was tested February 2019 and July 2019; it was tested February 2015 and July 2015; and it was tested July 2012 and February 2013). If the California examiners chose to test Civil Procedure again, they might focus on a topic like jurisdiction or venue

cal bar essay topics

Some Civil Procedure issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Personal jurisdiction
  • Subject-matter jurisdiction
  • Erie doctrine
  • Claim and issue preclusion

To get some practice with Civil Procedure essays, we recommend looking at the following California Civil Procedure essays:

  • July 2021 (subject-matter jurisdiction—diversity; venue; Erie doctrine; discovery; claim and issue preclusion)
  • July 2017 (subject-matter jurisdiction; Erie doctrine)
  • July 2016 (personal jurisdiction; venue [California law]; subject-matter jurisdiction)
  • July 2015 (subject-matter jurisdiction; personal jurisdiction; claim and issue preclusion)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our  free California Bar Exam Essay Guide  for the highly tested Civil Procedure topics.

Constitutional Law

Constitutional Law was just tested in February 2023 and also in July 2022. It is tested, on average, once per year, so it would be somewhat surprising to see Constitutional Law tested for a third time in a row in July 2023.

Constitutional Law is usually tested on its own, but has been crossed over with Real Property several times (February 2010 and July 2015) where the issue was a physical or regulatory taking. If Constitutional Law is tested in July 2023, we think this issue is ripe for testing as it has been awhile since it was last tested.

The Establishment Clause is also a favorite of the examiners and has not been tested since July 2019. However, the previously applicable Lemon test was abandoned in 2022 in the Supreme Court’s decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District , 597 U.S. __ (2022). Thus, the law discussed in the released student answers of previous exam questions testing the Establishment Clause is no longer applicable should this issue be tested again.

Some Constitutional Law issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Standing (this is an issue almost every time Constitutional Law is tested)

cal bar essay topics

  • The takings clause/eminent domain
  • The Dormant Commerce Clause
  • Free speech (content-based regulation; time-place-or-manner regulation)

To get some practice with Constitutional Law essays, we recommend looking at the following California Constitutional Law essays:

  • July 2019 (organizational standing; Free Exercise Clause)
  • July 2018 (Dormant Commerce Clause)
  • July 2015 (eminent domain)
  • February 2012 (free speech—time-place-or-manner restriction)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our  free California Bar Exam Essay Guide for the highly tested Constitutional Law topics.

Contracts was last tested in July 2022. It is tested approximately once per year, and so we think Contracts is ripe for testing on the July 2023 California Bar Exam!  Although Contracts is often tested on its own, it is also frequently tested as a crossover with Remedies and, since Remedies has not been tested since February 2022, we believe it is possible that the California Bar Examiners could test Contracts and Remedies together as a crossover question in July 2023.

The Examiners generally test either common law or UCC principles when they test Contracts. The last two times Contracts was tested (July 2022 and February 2021), the question tested the UCC.  Common law was last tested in October 2020.  Although it is possible to see either (or both!) tested on an upcoming Contracts question, common law seems to be ripe for testing in July 2023.

Some Contracts issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Contract formation
  • Parol evidence rule

cal bar essay topics

  • Substantial performance
  • Expectation damages; restitutionary damages

To get some practice with Contracts essays, we recommend looking at the following California Contracts essays:

  • February 2021 (combined with Remedies; contract formation; Statute of Frauds; remedies—expectation damages, consequential damages)
  • October 2020 (combined with Remedies; damages—specific performance, expectation damages, preliminary injunction)
  • February 2020 (consideration—preexisting duty rule; parol evidence rule; substantial performance)
  • July 2016 (material vs. minor breach; anticipatory repudiation; damages)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide for the highly tested Contracts topics.

Criminal Law & Procedure

Criminal Law & Procedure has not been tested since February 2022, so we believe this subject is ripe for testing on the July 2023 exam!  The February 2022 Criminal Law & Procedure question focused mostly on Criminal Law with a small Criminal Procedure issue, so we think a Criminal Procedure issue like search and seizure or interrogations & confessions is ripe for testing!  However, even when the Examiners largely focus on Criminal Procedure within a question, they also usually incorporate some Criminal Law issues (see, e.g., July 2019 in which the question largely focused on the Fourth Amendment, but also included a question about robbery).

Some Criminal Law issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Accomplice liability
  • Inchoate crimes (attempt and solicitation)
  • Theft crimes (larceny, burglary, robbery)

Some Criminal Procedure issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Miranda warnings and custodial interrogation

cal bar essay topics

  • Sixth Amendment right to counsel
  • Fourth Amendment search and seizure

To get some practice with Criminal Law & Procedure essays, we recommend looking at the following California Criminal Law & Procedure essays:

  • July 2021 (Fifth Amendment; Fourth Amendment)
  • October 2020 (accomplice liability; inchoate crimes)
  • February 2017 (Fourth Amendment; Fifth Amendment; solicitation)
  • July 2014 (Fourth Amendment; Fifth Amendment; Sixth Amendment)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide for the highly tested Criminal Law 7 Procedure topics.

Evidence was just tested in February 2023. Evidence has been a recent favorite on the February administration of the bar exam; it has not been tested in July since 2018. When Evidence is tested in back-to-back administrations, it is usually tested once on its own and once as a crossover question. So, although we don’t think Evidence is necessarily ripe for testing in July 2023 since it was just tested, perhaps if the California Examiners test it, they will test it as a crossover question. Evidence has appeared as a crossover question with Remedies and Professional Responsibility, but it could really be crossed over with any subject that involves the admissibility of evidence in court.

When Evidence is tested, the Examiners either test the Federal Rules of Evidence or the California Evidence Code. The Federal Rules of Evidence were tested in February 2023 and the California Evidence Code was tested the three times that Evidence was tested before that (February 2022, February 2021, February 2020). Although either the Federal Rules or the California Evidence Code could be tested in July, we think it is slightly more likely that the Federal Rules of Evidence would be tested in July if this subject is tested to make up for how frequently the California rules were tested in recent administrations.

Some Evidence issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Hearsay and relevance—these issues are on every single Evidence essay

cal bar essay topics

  • Character evidence
  • Impeachment
  • Lay witnesses and expert witnesses
  • Policy exclusions

To get some practice with Evidence essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam Evidence essays:

  • February 2022 (combined with Professional Responsibility; CEC tested; witnesses; hearsay; privileges)
  • February 2017 (FRE; hearsay; authentication; witnesses; impeachment; policy exclusions)
  • July 2014 (FRE; relevance; hearsay; impeachment)
  • February 2012 (FRE; relevance; witnesses; hearsay; policy exclusions; best evidence rule; impeachment)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our  free California Bar Exam Essay Guide  for the highly tested Evidence topics.

Real Property

Real Property was tested in February 2023, however, before that, it was last tested in February 2021. Although we don’t necessarily think that Real Property is ripe for testing in July 2023, given that the California Bar Examiners went three administrations without testing this subject, we wouldn’t be entirely surprised to see it tested again in July.  Landlord/tenant law was tested in February 2023, so we think the Examiners would likely test a different issue if they test this subject again.

Real Property is almost always tested on its own. However, as discussed in the Constitutional Law section, we have seen questions labeled as Constitutional Law/Real Property that test the topic of takings or eminent domain. Since that issue was last tested in 2015, we think this is a Real Property issue that is ripe for testing should they choose to test this subject again.

Some Real Property issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Co-tenancies (joint tenancies, tenancies in common)
  • Real covenants and equitable servitudes

cal bar essay topics

  • Zoning ordinances

To get some practice with Real Property essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam Real Property essays:

  • February 2021 (easements; covenants and equitable servitudes)
  • October 2020 (co-tenancies)
  • February 2018 (nuisance; easements; takings)
  • July 2015 (takings; zoning ordinances)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide for the highly tested Real Property topics.

Torts was last tested in February 2022 as a crossover question with Remedies.  Although Torts is not as frequently tested on the essay portion of the California Bar Exam as some of the other MBE subjects, we do think that Torts is ripe for testing in July 2023! Torts is sometimes tested as a crossover subject with Remedies and, although we predict that Remedies will be tested with Contracts in July 2023, it is possible that you could see a Torts/Remedies crossover question this administration.

The California Bar Examiners have tested Torts several times where they included issues such as vicarious liability (July 2021, July 2014, and February 2011). Vicarious liability is often thought of as an Agency topic, but the California Bar Examiners did not label the question as “Torts/Agency” when they tested this topic, they simply labeled it as Torts. So be sure to consider whether you need to discuss this topic even if the question does not appear to be testing the subject Agency!

Some Torts issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Negligence—negligence per se; defenses to negligence
  • Strict products liability
  • Vicarious liability of employer and indemnification

cal bar essay topics

  • Intentional torts—assault, battery, IIED, trespass to land/chattels, conversion

To get some practice with Torts essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam Torts essays:

  • February 2020 (defamation; IIED)
  • July 2017 (negligence per se; defenses to negligence; strict liability)
  • February 2016 (intentional torts—assault, battery, IIED, trespass to land, trespass to chattels, conversion)
  • July 2014 (negligence; negligence per se; vicarious liability)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above. Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide for the highly tested Torts topics.

If you need more help on this subject, check out our California Essay Exam Mastery Class , where we go over all the topics most likely to appear on the California Essay Exam, difficult topics that students tend to have trouble with, and more!

Agency & partnership.

Prior to 2007, California only tested Corporations on the essay portion of the bar exam, but in 2007 changed the name of the subject to “Business Associations” and began testing Agency & Partnership principles in addition to Corporations. Despite this change, California still does not frequently test Agency & Partnership. It was last tested in February 2022, but a large portion of that Business Associations essay consisted of Corporations issues. Agency & Partnership were last tested without Corporations in February 2020. Given that it has been over three years since Agency & Partnership has been tested on its own, it is possible that it could appear on the July 2023 exam, but we think the Examiners are more likely going to test Corporations than Agency & Partnership if they choose to test Business Associations.

We have also seen Agency issues like vicarious liability come up in Torts questions, even when the question is labeled just “Torts.”  As discussed above, we think Torts is ripe for testing in July 2023, so you should consider how Agency principles could be tested within a Torts question!

Some Agency issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Actual authority; apparent authority; ratification

cal bar essay topics

  • Employee versus independent contractor
  • Respondeat superior; vicarious liability

To get some practice with Agency essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam Essays:

  • February 2020 (actual authority; apparent authority)
  • February 2015 (combined with Torts—vicarious liability; actual authority; apparent authority)
  • February 2013 (vicarious liability)
  • February 2012 (actual authority; apparent authority)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide  for the highly tested Agency topics.

Partnership

The February 2022 essay included Partnership issues, such as formation of a general partnership, but, as mentioned above, mostly focused on Corporations issues. The California Bar Examiners have never tested just Agency or just Partnership—rather, these subjects are always tested together. Thus, issues like authority of partners in a partnership and liability of partners are common topics in Agency & Partnership essays.

As discussed above, we think it is more likely that California will test Corporations than Agency & Partnership if Business Associations is tested in July 2023, but you should not ignore this subject, just in case it does come up!

Some Partnership issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Formation of a general partnership
  • Liability of partners
  • Creditors of the partnership and ability to collect

cal bar essay topics

  • Limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships

To get some practice with Partnership essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam essays:

  • February 2022 (formation of a general partnership)
  • February 2020 (formation of a general partnership)
  • February 2015 (formation; joint and several liability of partners; creditors of a partnership)
  • July 2014 (limited liability partnership; partner liability in tort)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide for the highly tested Partnership topics.

Community Property

Community Property appears to be a favorite of the California Bar Examiners, appearing on 8 of the last 12 administrations of the California Bar Exam. Of those 8 appearances, Community Property was tested on its own 4 times and tested as a crossover question with Wills 4 times.

Given that Community Property was not tested on the February 2023 exam, there is certainly a chance that it could be tested in July 2023. However, our guess is that it won’t appear (but this is just a guess!). If it is tested, it seems slightly more likely that it would be tested on its own since it was last tested as a crossover question with Wills.

Some Community Property issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Termination of the marital economic community (MEC)
  • Transmutations
  • Validity of a premarital agreement
  • Capital improvements made to property

To get some practice with Community Property essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam essays:

  • February 2022 (termination of MEC; commingled bank account; disability payment; fiduciary duties of spouses)
  • July 2018 (community property (CP) used to improve separate property (SP); commingled bank account; retirement pension; personal injury settlement)
  • July 2017 (transmutation; CP used to improve SP; fiduciary duties)
  • July 2016 (transmutation; premarital agreement; termination of MEC; fiduciary duties)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide the highly tested Community Property topics.

Corporations

Corporations is now tested as part of “Business Associations.” It was last tested in July 2022, but given the frequency with which this subject has been tested in recent administrations, this is our wildcard! We think that it could come up if one of our other predictions is not tested on the July 2023 exam!

The California Bar Examiners have tested Corporations and Professional Responsibility together several times (July 2015, July 2014, February 2011, and February 2008) and we think it is possible to see a Corporations/Professional Responsibility crossover question in July 2023! Be sure to consider issues that could come up in such a crossover (see our discussion of Professional Responsibility below)!

Some Corporations & LLCs issues that are ripe for testing include the following :

  • Duty of loyalty and safe harbors

cal bar essay topics

  • Derivative action filed by shareholder
  • Piercing the corporate veil
  • Fundamental changes
  • Federal securities law

To get some practice with Corporations essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam essays:

  • October 2020 (shareholder derivative action; duty of loyalty)
  • July 2015 combined with Professional Responsibility (duty of loyalty; fundamental change)
  • July 2014 (federal securities law)
  • February 2012 (piercing the corporate veil)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide  for the highly tested Corporations topics.

Professional Responsibility

Professional Responsibility has been tested on 26 of the last 27 administrations of the bar exam, so we know it is practically certain to appear on the July 2023 exam!  Professional Responsibility topics tend to be difficult to predict as they are all over the place and the California Bar Examiners like to come up with new ways to test this subject, so you should try to complete as many practice essays as possible to prepare for this subject!  Since you know this subject is almost certainly going to be tested, it’s not a bad idea to spend a little extra time on this subject compared to the amount of time you spend studying the other essay subjects.

Some Professional Responsibility issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Conflicts of interest – current client conflicts

cal bar essay topics

  • Fee agreements
  • Supervision of another lawyer or nonlawyer
  • Organization as client (possibly crossed over with Corporations!)
  • Unauthorized practice of law
  • Duty of candor—offering false evidence

To get some practice with Professional Responsibility essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam essays:

  • February 2021 (conflict of interest; fee agreement)
  • February 2020 (fee agreements; conflict of interest; duty of loyalty to organization)
  • February 2019 (supervision over nonlawyer; unauthorized practice of law)
  • July 2015 combined with Business Associations (conflict of interest; business transaction with a client)
  • July 2014 combined with Business Associations (duty of confidentiality; duty of loyalty; duty of candor)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our  free California Bar Exam Essay Guide for the highly tested Professional Responsibility topics.

Remedies was last tested in February 2022 (and actually appeared twice on that exam!). Given that Remedies is tested about once per year, we think Remedies is ripe for testing in July 2023! The last 10 times Remedies was tested, it appeared as a crossover question 8 of those 10 administrations. It is most frequently crossed over with Contracts (our prediction for July 2023!) or Torts, but we have also seen it tested as a crossover question with Corporations, Constitutional Law, and Evidence.

Some Remedies issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Compensatory damages
  • Expectation damages for breach of contract
  • UCC contract remedies
  • Rescission and/or reformation
  • Specific performance
  • Equitable defenses—laches, unclean hands, waiver

To get some practice with Remedies essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam essays:

  • February 2021 combined with Contracts (UCC; compensatory damages; expectation damages; consequential damages; rescission)
  • October 2020 combined with Contracts (reformation; specific performance; compensatory damages; expectation damages; laches, waiver)
  • July 2017 (temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction; specific performance; mistake/misrepresentation)
  • February 2016 (mistake/misrepresentation; unclean hands; laches; reformation)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide for the highly tested Remedies topics.

Between Wills and Trusts, the California Bar Examiners seem to like to test Wills more often, but we do think that Trusts is ripe for testing in July 2023! It has not been tested since February 2019. It is not uncommon to see Trusts tested as a crossover question with Wills and/or Community Property, thus it is especially important to consider the types of issues that could come up should such a crossover question appear on the July 2023 exam!

Some Trusts issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Creation of a trust
  • Spendthrift trust
  • Trustee’s fiduciary duties
  • Charitable trusts & cy pres doctrine

cal bar essay topics

  • Pourover wills (watch for this issue combined with Wills)

To get some practice with Trusts essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam essays:

  • February 2016 (trust creation; pourover will; trustee’s duties)
  • February 2015 combined with Wills (creation of a trust; pourover will; charitable trust & cy pres doctrine)
  • July 2014 combined with Community Property (creation of a trust; trustee’s duties)
  • February 2012 (creation of a trust; pourover will; trustee’s duties)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide  for the highly tested Trusts topics.

Wills and Succession

As mentioned above, the California Bar Examiners tend to test Wills more often than Trusts.  Wills was last tested in July 2022.  While it is possible that Wills could be tested in July 2023, we think Trusts is more likely to be tested, given the length of time since it was last tested. However, we would not be surprised to see a Wills/Trusts crossover question! Also, in recent administrations, every time Wills has been tested, there have been Community Property issues contained within the Wills question. Thus, be sure to contemplate how Community Property could affect the testate or intestate distribution of a decedent’s estate!

Some Wills issues that are ripe for testing include the following:

  • Execution of a valid will
  • Intestate succession
  • Pretermitted spouse/omitted child
  • Antilapse Statute

cal bar essay topics

  • Capacity and undue influence

To get some practice with Wills essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar Exam essays:

  • July 2021 (execution of a valid will; capacity; pretermitted spouse; intestacy; omitted child)
  • February 2018 (pretermitted spouse; intestacy; omitted child; antilapse)
  • February 2017 (execution of a valid will; revocation; intestacy)
  • February 2015 (execution of a valid will; capacity—undue influence)
  • July 2013 (execution of a valid will; interested witnesses)

Note:  Your review should NOT be limited solely to the essays listed above! Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide for the highly tested Wills topics.

JD Advising’s July 2023 California Performance Test Prediction

Persuasive brief.

Although the Objective Memorandum is the most common PT task, appearing on 6 of the 11 PTs administered since July 2017. (Beginning in July 2017 California began to administer one 90-minute performance test per exam. Prior to this date, the California Bar Exam included two three-hour PTs. We recommend that you do not use any of the pre-July 2017 PTs as practice since the timing of a three-hour PT is much different from the timing of the 90-minute PT you will be given on the July 2023 exam.)

We think California is likely to test a persuasive brief since that task has not been tested since February 2019.

If you are unfamiliar with how to format a persuasive brief, take a look at our post on how to format a persuasive brief on the MPT . It is a good idea to know how to format a persuasive brief because usually formatting instructions are not provided on the exam.

To get some practice with persuasive brief tasks, we suggest that you complete a few tasks under timed conditions to determine your strengths and weaknesses. We recommend taking a look at the following persuasive brief PTs, all of which are available for free on California Board of Law Examiners’ website:

  • February 2019 : People v. Raymond
  • July 2018 : In the Matter of Abigail Watkins

For some additional practice, you can utilize MPTs that are available for free on the NCBE website. Although California writes its own Performance Test and does not administer the MPT (Multistate Performance Test), we believe MPTs are nonetheless good practice for the California PT. We recommend reviewing the following persuasive brief MPTs:

  • July 2012 : Ashton v. Indigo Construction Co.
  • February 2013 : In re Guardianship of Will Fox
  • February 2014 : In re Rowan
  • July 2016 : Nash v. Franklin Department of Revenue

Beginning in July 2017 California began to administer one 90-minute performance test per exam. Prior to this date, the California Bar Exam included two three-hour PTs. We recommend that you do not use any of the pre-July 2017 PTs as practice since the timing of a three-hour PT is much different from the timing of the 90-minute PT you will be given on the July 2023 exam.

We hope you find these recommendations for suggested essays to review helpful as you prepare for the July 2023 California Bar Exam. We wish you good luck!

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IMAGES

  1. California Bar Exam Essay Guide

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  2. California bar exam essay answers july 2012 in 2021

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  3. California Bar Essay Frequency Chart

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  4. California Bar Exam Outlines & Flashcards

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  5. CALIFORNIA BAR EXAM ESSAY GUIDE Part 17- Wills And Succession

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  6. A Quick Guide to Bar Essay Writing

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COMMENTS

  1. Scope of the California Bar Examination

    The MBE is developed and scored by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). This portion of the General Bar Examination is an objective six-hour examination containing 200 questions, divided into two, three-hour sessions during each of which 100 questions are administered. The MBE tests seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional ...

  2. Past Exams

    California Bar Examination. July 2024 California Bar Exam; July 2024 Bar Exam FAQs; Testing Centers; Laptops for Bar Exam; July 2024 Hotel Information; Instructions for Essay Questions and Performance Test; California Bar Examination Scope; Exam Results. Bar Exam Pass List; Past Exams; Grading; Scaling; Refund of Fees Policy; Virtual Oath ...

  3. PDF California Bar Examination

    This publication contains the five essay questions from the July 2023 California Bar Examination and two selected answers for each question. The selected answers are not to be considered "model" or perfect answers. The answers were assigned high grades and were written by applicants who passed the examination after the First Read.

  4. Highly Tested California Bar Exam Essay Subjects

    The California Bar exam includes 5 essays. You will have three hours in the morning to answer three essays and three-and-a-half hours in the afternoon to answer two essays and a performance test. You should plan on spending about one hour per essay and 90 minutes on the performance test. Note that the changes to the California Bar Exam in July ...

  5. California Bar Exam Essay Frequency Chart

    Here's our chart of the essay subjects tested on the California bar exam through the present date. The essay chart will show you which subjects tend to be frequently tested (e.g., Professional Responsibility!) and which ones are not tested as often (e.g., Agency). You can also get an idea of which subjects are generally tested in conjunction ...

  6. California Bar Exam Essay Guide

    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.

  7. California Bar Exam Essays

    A Database of Over Three Thousand Authentic Graded California Bar Exam Essays. BarEssays.com is a unique and invaluable study tool for the essay portion of the California Bar Exam. We are, by far, the most comprehensive service that provides REAL examples of REAL essays and performance exams by REAL students that were actually taken during the ...

  8. California Bar Exam Subjects

    California Bar Exam Subjects. The bar exam given in California is considered the toughest in the country. It covers 14 subjects over three days and includes essay questions, multiple choice questions, and performance test assignments. Visit the State Bar of California's website for detailed descriptions of the subjects tested on the exam.

  9. California Study Guides

    SmartBarPrep gives you access to actual Past California Bar Essays. Use these to practice writing essays under timed conditions. Includes: Real CA Essay Questions for 22+ years (over 250 essays spanning Feb. 2000 - Feb. 2023). Two full Sample Answers for every essay.

  10. Heilman's Feb 2024 CA Bar Essay Predictions : r/CABarExam

    Professor Heilman's Predictions—February 2024. My predictions are educated guesses based on reviewing the California Bar Examination for more than 30 years. I don't have any special expertise or inside knowledge. I base my predictions on what the bar examination has looked like in the past. The past exams have certain commonalities.

  11. California Bar Exam Essay Highly Tested Issues

    California Bar Exam Essay Highly Tested Issues Professional Responsibility. In the past 20 administrations of the California Bar Exam, Professional Responsibility was by far the most highly tested subject, having appeared at least once on almost every single exam (sometimes it shows up in multiple essays/performance tests on a single exam!). ...

  12. Cal Bar Bible

    Accurate Essay Predictions. For years, our team experts have a proven track record of accurately predicting which essays will appear on the California bar exam. With our predictions, you can focus your studies on the most important topics and maximize your chances of success. Learn More.

  13. PDF California Bar Examination

    This publication contains the five essay questions from the July 2022 California Bar Examination and two selected answers for each question. The selected answers are not to be considered "model" or perfect answers. The answers were assigned high grades and were written by applicants who passed the examination after the First Read.

  14. California Essay Frequency Analysis

    Understanding what topics and rules to focus on will help you study smarter and go into the bar exam better prepared. ... Breakdowns of how often each subject area has appeared on the California Bar Exam essays in the past 45 examinations. Frequency analysis of all 556 rules tested on California Essays in the last 45 examinations, covering 257 ...

  15. Predictions for February 2024 California Bar Exam essay questions

    Heilman's Feb 2024 ca bar essay predictions. Professor Heilman's Predictions—February 2024. My predictions are educated guesses based on reviewing the California Bar Examination for more than 30 years. I don't have any special expertise or inside knowledge. I base my predictions on what the bar examination has looked like in the past.

  16. February 2023 California Bar Exam Predictions

    4. Real Property. 5. Evidence (Federal/CA) Wild card*: Torts and/or Crimes. A closer look at our predictions. The California bar exam covers a vast majority of legal rules within each subject. The wealth of information contained within each essay subject is one of the reasons the California bar exam is difficult to pass.

  17. PDF California Bar Examination

    This publication contains the five essay questions from the July 2021 California Bar Examination and two selected answers for each question. The selected answers are not to be considered "model" or perfect answers. The answers were assigned high grades and were written by applicants who passed the examination after the First Read.

  18. California Bar Exam Attack Outlines

    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, as well as the less tested areas of law. Chapter 4: Agency and Partnership: we tell you how to conquer Agency and Partnership essay questions.

  19. PDF California Bar Examination

    This publication contains the five essay questions from the February 2021 California Bar Examination and two selected answers for each question. The answers were assigned high grades and were written by applicants who passed the examination after one read.

  20. JD Advising's February 2024 California Predictions

    Please review our free California Bar Exam Essay Guide for the highly tested Remedies topics. Trusts. The California Bar Examiners test Wills more frequently than Trusts, but when Trusts is tested, it is often as a crossover question with Wills. ... To get some practice with Trusts essays, we recommend looking at the following California Bar ...

  21. July 2023 California Bar Exam Predictions

    July 2023 California Bar Exam Predictions. For years, our team experts have a proven track record of accurately predicting which essays will appear on the California bar exam. With our predictions, you can focus your studies on the most important topics and maximize your chances of success.

  22. JD Advising's July 2023 California Bar Exam Predictions

    Community Property appears to be a favorite of the California Bar Examiners, appearing on 8 of the last 12 administrations of the California Bar Exam. Of those 8 appearances, Community Property was tested on its own 4 times and tested as a crossover question with Wills 4 times. Given that Community Property was not tested on the February 2023 ...

  23. PDF California Bar Examination

    This publication contains the five essay questions from the February 2022 California Bar Examination and two selected answers for each question. The selected answers are not to be considered "model" or perfect answers. The answers were assigned high grades and were written by applicants who passed the examination after the First Read.