February 2026 California Bar Exam
February 2026 California bar exam overview
The February 2026 bar exam will take place over two days: Tuesday, February 24, and Wednesday, February 25. Applicants with certain testing accommodations may have extended days. The February 2026 bar exam will be administered entirely in person at designated testing sites in California. For the February 2026 bar exam, the State Bar will be using the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), for the multiple-choice sessions of the exam.
The State Bar is contracting with ExamSoft to be the exam delivery vendor for the written sessions of the bar exam. ExamSoft laptop registration will open on January 27. Once laptop registration opens, ExamSoft will email applicants with instructions for downloading its Examplify software, the secure testing platform that will be used for typing and submitting responses to essays and the Performance Test. ExamSoft will also email instructions for completing the mandatory mock exam, which must be completed by February 20.
- Instructions for applying
- Information about using a laptop for the bar exam
- Requesting testing accommodations
- Exam rules and policies
Exam format and requirements
Essays and Performance Test (PT): Applicants will receive hardcopy exam materials and physical scratch paper for the written sessions (essays and performance test); responses will be entered into ExamSoft's Examplify software. Applicants must bring their own laptop for the written session only. An internet connection will not be required during the exam. In advance of the exam, applicants will be given information about downloading the Examplify software and conducting a mock exam.
Handwriting is an option for those who prefer it. Handwriters do not need to bring a laptop.
Multiple-Choice Questions: For the February 2026 bar exam, the State Bar will be using the MBE. Applicants will receive a hardcopy booklet with the multiple-choice questions and response options and will respond to the questions on a Scantron sheet using #2 pencils; responses to multiple-choice questions will not be entered into Examplify.
Standard exam schedule
The bar exam includes two full days of testing sessions. Applicants must be seated by 8:20 a.m. each morning. The exam will start promptly following the instructions. After the morning session, a lunch break will be provided. After lunch, the doors will open at approximately 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon session. Applicants should immediately return to their seats to receive instructions. Day 1 is anticipated to end at approximately 5:30 p.m., and Day 2 will end at approximately 5:00 p.m. End times may vary due to circumstances at each test site.
Below is a summary of the standard exam schedule:
Day 1 (written sessions): Five one-hour essay questions and one 90-minute Performance Test (PT). The essays and PT will be administered in two sessions: The morning session will consist of a three-hour session for essays 1, 2, and 3. The afternoon session will consist of a three-and-a-half-hour session for essays 4 and 5 and the PT. Applicants can answer the questions in each session in any order they prefer. Although each essay is designed to be completed in one hour, and the performance test is designed to be completed in 90 minutes, applicants may allocate their time within each session as they see fit.
Day 2 (MBE sessions): 200 multiple-choice questions administered in two three-hour sessions covering 100 questions each. Applicants cannot return to the first set of 100 questions during the second MBE session.
| Day 1 (written sessions) | Day 2 (multiple-choice sessions) |
| Essays 1, 2, and 3 (3 hours) | Questions 1–100 (3 hours) |
| Lunch Break | Lunch Break |
| Essays 4, 5, and PT (3.5 hours) | Questions 101–200 (3 hours) |
Attorney applicants approved to take the Attorney’s Exam are only required to sit for the written sessions of the exam.
Applicants approved for extended time accommodations will receive a modified testing schedule.
Testing sites
The State Bar is in the process of finalizing contracts with venues for the February 2026 bar exam. Below is a list of anticipated testing sites. Please note that this list is subject to change. In addition, the State Bar is actively working to secure more locations, which will be added to the list as they are confirmed.
| Region | Test Sites | Test Sites for Applicants with Certain Accommodations |
| Los Angeles | Ontario Convention Center USC Galen Center | Hotel Fera Anaheim, Orange Ontario Convention Center State Bar Los Angeles Office The Westin Los Angeles Airport |
| San Francisco | Oakland Convention Center San Mateo County Event Center | Golden Gate University 536 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94105 |
| Sacramento | Sunrise Banquet Hall and Event Center 620 Orange Drive Vacaville, CA 95687 | Hilton Sacramento Arden West 2200 Harvard Street Sacramento, CA 95815 |
| San Diego | Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center 2800 Olympic Parkway Chula Vista, CA 91915 | Doubletree San Diego, Mission Valley 7450 Hazard Center Drive San Diego, CA 92108 |
Exam fee waiver
Applicants who withdrew ahead of the February 2025 exam or who are unsuccessful on the February 2025 exam are eligible for a fee waiver on the first bar exam they take through July 2026. Eligible applicants do not need to take any action. During the application process, the payment screen will be bypassed, allowing eligible applicants to complete their application without a payment.
If an applicant chooses to withdraw from the February 2026 exam, they must do so by February 10 to retain the fee waiver for the July 2026 exam. The fee waiver will not be available after the July 2026 exam.
Exam rules and policies
Starting January 27, 2026, the State Bar is currently scheduled to notify applicants approved for the February 2026 bar exam that their Admittance Ticket is available in the Applicant Portal. Applicants must print and bring their Admittance Ticket to each exam session as it is required to access the test site.
If you do not receive the email on January 27, 2026, it may be because one or more items are still pending: your eligibility status is pending, your request for testing accommodations is pending, or you have not completed the demographic section in the Applicant Portal (you are required to complete this section, but you may select “Decline to Answer” for any question). Your Admittance Ticket will be available once these items are resolved.
Applicants are advised to carefully review the accompanying Admittance Ticket Bulletin, which contains important information about exam rules and policies, including the list of permitted and prohibited items, identification verification procedures, rules for exam conduct, and tips to prepare for the test center temperature and noise.
Permitted and prohibited items list: All applicants must bring a valid government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver’s license, California Identification Card, or passport) with them to each session of the exam. All applicants must also bring their Admittance Ticket with them to each session of the exam.
A comprehensive list of permitted and prohibited items will be provided in the Admittance Ticket Bulletin. Applicants are encouraged to review the bulletin carefully and pay special attention to differences in what items can be brought during the written sessions as opposed to the MBE sessions.
Applicants found with any prohibited items may have the item confiscated, will receive a conduct violation notice (Chapter 6 Notice) pursuant to Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 6 of the Rules of the State Bar and Guidelines Governing the Interpretation and Application of Chapter 6 of the Admissions Rules. Applicants who receive a Chapter 6 Notice may be subject to sanctions, including receiving a score of zero for the test session in which they are found to have the prohibited item.
Important dates and deadlines
Exam application
For those who did not sit for the July 2025 bar exam
| October 1 | Exam application open (after 8:00 a.m. PT) |
| November 3 | Timely filing deadline (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3) |
| November 4–28 | $50 late filing fee (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3) |
| November 29–January 2, 2026 | $250 late filing fee (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3 and Admissions Rule 4.61(B)) |
For immediate repeaters who sat for the July 2025 bar exam
| November 7 (after 6:00 p.m.) | Application opens for immediate repeaters |
| November 21 | Timely filing deadline for immediate repeaters (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3) |
| November 22–December 16 | $50 late filing fee for immediate repeaters |
| December 17–January 2, 2026 | $250 late filing fee (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3 and Admissions Rule 4.61(B)) |
*Applicants for the February 2025 bar exam who are still eligible for an exam application fee waiver will not be charged if they submit their application by the final filing deadline.
**Applicants who were absent for any exam session during the July 2025 exam will be subject to the same application filing deadlines and applicable late fees that apply to first-time applicants rather than those for immediate repeaters.
Exam withdrawals
For those who did not sit for the July 2025 bar exam
| October 1–December 3 | Deadline to withdraw with 60% refund |
| December 4–18 | Deadline to withdraw with 30% refund |
| December 19–February 10, 2026 | Deadline to withdraw with 0% refund |
* Applicants who received a fee waiver for the February 2026 bar exam must withdraw on or before the final withdrawal deadline to retain their fee waiver for the July 2026 exam.
For immediate repeaters who sat for the July 2025 bar exam
| November 21–December 22 | Deadline to withdraw with 60% refund |
| December 23–26 | Deadline to withdraw with 30% refund |
| December 27–February 10, 2026 | Deadline to withdraw with 0% refund |
ExamSoft deadlines
| January 27 | ExamSoft registration opens; applicants can begin completing the mandatory mock exam |
| February 20 | Deadline to complete ExamSoft registration and the mandatory mock exam |
| February 26 (by noon PT) | Deadline to upload the exam answer files; applicants granted extended time to test must upload exam answer files by noon the day after their exam concludes |
Other deadlines
| January 2 | Final filing/reinstatement deadline (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3 and Admissions Rule 4.61(B)) Testing accommodations final filing deadline* Enrollment will close for the Peak Performance Program |
| January 27 | Exam admittance tickets become available |
| February 2 | Test center change request deadline Testing accommodations final appeal filing deadline* |
| February 10 | Final deadline for law schools to submit proof of applicant eligibility to sit for the exam, or for applicants who are required to submit a transcript to do so Final deadline for general applicants to submit proof of law study Final deadline for attorney applicants to submit Certificate of Good Standing from another jurisdiction |
| February 13 | Emergency testing accommodations request final filing deadline* |
| Pending | Registration for Bar Exam Strategies and Stories program closes for those who did not sit for the July 2025 bar exam Registration for Bar Exam Strategies and Stories program closes for immediate repeaters who sat for the July 2025 bar exam Registration for PEAK Performance Program |
*Applicants must submit their requests through the Applicant Portal. Requests must be complete, with all questions answered, and any supporting documentation included. Requests in ‘verified’ or ‘drafted’ status are not considered complete. If an applicant prefers a paper copy of the testing accommodations request form, please email testing.accommodations@calbar.ca.gov.
Release of results
Results from the February 2026 bar exam will be released through the Applicant Portal on May 1, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The pass list will be posted on the Examination Pass List webpage on May 3, 2026.
November 2024 special session
Participants in the November 2024 special session were notified by email regarding their overall performance and whether they are eligible to receive a scaled score adjustment on the multiple-choice portion of a future bar exam.
On June 11, 2025, the California Supreme Court approved extending the window for eligible November 2024 study participants to apply their scaled score adjustment to the multiple-choice portion of the first bar exam they take in either 2025 or 2026.
Any scaled score adjustments applied to the February 2026 bar exam will be reflected in the information provided to applicants when results are released on May 1.
Additional information and resources
- Scope of the California Bar Examination (format and covered topics)
- Past Exam Questions and Answers
- Exam Content Instructions by Questions Type
- Information about Exam Grading and Score Scaling
- Information about preparing for the MBE