Bar-Exam-Countdown-What-You-Need-to-Know-for-the-July-Bar-Exam

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Fez

Weekly Bar Exam Countdown email content for the July 2026 California Bar Exam explains what applicants must do as the test approaches. It outlines the exam dates (July 28–29, with accommodations possibly extending beyond), Day 1 written sessions and required equipment/software, and Day 2 MBE timing with Scantron marking and pencil rules. It also lists key upcoming deadlines for tickets, ExamSoft registration, appeals, test-center changes, withdrawals, eligibility proof, emergency accommodations, and mandatory laptop mock registration by July 24, plus guidance for “pending” statuses in the Applicant Portal.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

July 2026 Exam Overview

Day 1 – Written Sessions

Day 2 – Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

Ticket and ExamSoft registration

Appeals, test center changes, withdraw

Proof of eligibility and emergency accommodations

Pending Application or Request

Meaning of “pending” statuses

Prepare Your Laptop

Starting June 3

Dear Applicants, With the July 2026 California Bar Exam less than six weeks away, it’s time to launch the State Bar’s weekly Bar Exam Countdown Email series. Each week, you’ll receive key updates, reminders, and helpful tips directly in your inbox. These emails are designed to answer common questions and highlight important details as the exam approaches. This week, we’re starting with the essentials. Miss an email? No problem! Each message will be posted on the Bar Exam Emails webpage. JULY 2026 EXAM OVERVIEW The July 2026 California Bar Exam will take place on Tuesday, July 28, and Wednesday, July 29 , attesting centers across the state. Applicants with certain testing accommodations will have a modified schedule and may test beyond July 29. Attorney applicants approved for the Attorneys' Exam only sit for the written sessions. Day 1 – Written Sessions: You’ll complete five one-hour essay questions and one 90-minute Performance Test (PT) . You’ll receive printed exam materials and scratch paper. Bring your own laptop for the written sessions—responses will be typed in ExamSoft’s Examplify software unless you are approved to handwrite your responses. Internet is not required during the exam, but you must download Examplify and complete the mandatory mock exam by July 24 to register your laptop to use on exam day. Morning session: 3 hours (Essays 1–3) Afternoon session: 3.5 hours (Essays 4–5 and PT) Each essay is designed to take one hour, and the performance test is designed to take 90 minutes. However, you may answer the questions in each session in the order that you prefer and allot your time as you see fit within each session. Once you complete each session you may not return to it. Day 2 – Multistate Bar Examination Sessions: The second day features the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)—200 multiple-choice questions developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. You’ll receive a printed question booklet and mark answers on a Scantron sheet. Bring soft lead \#2 pencils (mechanical pencils are not allowed) . Do not bring your laptop to the MBE sessions (you will not be permitted to bring it into the exam room) . Morning session: 3 hours (first 100 questions) Afternoon session: 3 hours (remaining 100 questions) For more information, visit the July 2026 California Bar Exam webpage. UPCOMING DATES AND DEADLINES June 30 – Admittance Tickets & Bulletin: Admittance Tickets will start to be released in the Applicant Portal to applicants approved to sit for the exam. The ticket includes your test center assignment. You must bring this ticket with you each day of the exam. You’ll also receive the Admittance Ticket Bulletin with exam rules, policies, and permitted/prohibited items lists. This bulletin is also available on the State Bar’s website. June 30 – ExamSoft registration opens: Watch for an email from ExamSoft with instructions to download Examplify, complete the mandatory mock exam, and register your laptop. The email will be sent once applicants are deemed eligible to sit for the exam. July 1 – Testing accommodations appeal: This is the final deadline to submit testing accommodation appeals. All appeals must be submitted through the Applicant Portal. July 6 – Test center change: This is the final deadline to submit a request to change your test center via the Applicant Portal. We’ll do our best to accommodate all change requests, but availability isn’t guaranteed. Please allow at least 48 hours for processing. If your request is approved, you will receive a confirmation email. You must print a new copy of your Admittance Ticket reflecting the new test site. You will NOT be permitted to sit at any test center other than the one you have been approved for. July 14 – Withdraw: Applicants wanting to withdraw from the exam must withdraw by this date. Please note that refunds of bar exam fees were only available for the first 30 or 45 days after the timely filing deadline. R

FAQs

When is the July 2026 California Bar Exam, and how may accommodations affect the schedule?

The exam takes place on Tuesday, July 28, and Wednesday, July 29. Applicants with certain testing accommodations may have a modified schedule and may test beyond July 29.

What are the requirements and timing for the Day 1 written sessions?

Day 1 includes five one-hour essay questions and one 90-minute Performance Test (PT). Printed exam materials and scratch paper are provided, and applicants must bring their own laptop unless approved to handwrite; responses are typed in ExamSoft’s Examplify software.

What deadlines are critical for laptop setup and eligibility status in the Applicant Portal?

Laptop registration and the mandatory mock exam must be completed by July 24, or responses must be handwritten on exam day. For “pending” statuses, the guidance clarifies that no action is usually needed unless contacted, while attorney applicants must submit Certificates of Good Standing by July 14.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Fez