California One-Day Attorneys’ Exam vs. Full Bar Examination • Helping Lawyers Make the Right Choice for 2026
Introduction to the California Bar Exam
The California Bar Exam remains one of the most rigorous professional licensing exams in the nation. For licensed attorneys from other U.S. jurisdictions, California offers an alternative path: the one-day California Attorneys’ Exam. Both exams are administered by the State Bar of California and measure an applicant’s mastery of legal analysis, issue-spotting, and written communication.
While both lead to full admission to the California Bar, the exams differ significantly in structure, eligibility, and preparation strategy. Understanding those distinctions is critical for attorneys balancing full-time practice with the goal of becoming licensed in California.
Overview of the Attorneys’ Exam
California does not offer reciprocity or admission by motion for attorneys from any other jurisdiction. Every applicant, including experienced lawyers, must sit for a California bar examination.
However, attorneys who meet specific criteria can take an abbreviated version known as the Attorneys’ Exam.
To qualify, an attorney must:
Hold active status in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least four consecutive years immediately preceding the application; and
Be in good standing with no pending disciplinary matters.
The Full California Bar Exam is a two-day exam:
Day One: Five one-hour essay questions and one 90-minute performance test.
Day Two: The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) • 200 multiple-choice questions covering core federal law subjects.
The Attorneys’ Exam, by contrast, includes only the written portion, the same essays and performance test given on Day One. It omits the MBE entirely.
Although attorneys who qualify for the one-day format are exempt from the MBE, some still choose to take it.
The question arises frequently: “Should I take the full two-day exam?”
The answer depends on your goals and test-taking strengths.
When the MBE helps: If you’re a strong multiple-choice test taker, the MBE can help stabilize your total score. The MBE portion is objective, and high performance there can offset weaker essay writing.
When it may hurt: Preparing for the MBE demands significant time — mastering not only black-letter law but also the logic and strategy behind multiple-choice testing. For busy practicing attorneys, this may dilute the time available to refine written skills for the essays and performance test, where California-specific law plays a major role.
Scoring Comparisons and Weighting
Both exams are graded to the same passing standard — a scaled score of 1390 out of 2000.
Here’s how scoring breaks down:
In the Full Bar Exam, the written section (essays + performance test) counts for 50% of the total score, and the MBE counts for the remaining 50%.
In the Attorneys’ Exam, since there is no MBE component, the entire score is derived from the written section.
That means:
Every point on your essays and performance test carries twice the weight compared to a general applicant taking both days.
A strong written performance can absolutely carry you to success — but a weak essay set can be fatal, since there’s no MBE buffer to balance your score.
In contrast, a two-day examinee has two opportunities to reach the 1390 threshold: strong MBE performance can lift an otherwise borderline written score. Conversely, if you are a slower typist, struggle with issue organization, or haven’t practiced legal writing recently, placing all your weight on written work alone can be risky.
Decision Time: One Day or Two?
The decision to sit for the one-day or two-day exam must be made with realistic consideration of time, workload, and study capacity.
Most practicing attorneys preparing for the California Bar are also maintaining demanding careers, client responsibilities, and family obligations. Studying for the MBE requires a consistent time investment across multiple subjects — often 200+ hours of focused practice.
If you cannot dedicate that level of time to study, the Attorneys’ Exam may be the more strategic choice. However, if your schedule allows and you’re comfortable with multiple-choice testing, the Full Exam can provide a scoring safety net.
Ultimately, success comes down to aligning your study plan with your strengths and available time — not simply choosing the shorter path.
How Executive Bar Review Can Help
At Executive Bar Review, we specialize in helping licensed attorneys make the right choice — and then prepare with precision.
Our one-on-one programs are designed specifically for working professionals. We evaluate each Attorney’s current workload, writing proficiency, and learning style to develop an individualized study plan. Whether you choose the one-day or two-day format, we’ll guide you through California’s unique essay and performance test standards, helping you meet — and exceed — examiner expectations.
For personalized guidance on selecting and preparing for the right exam format, visit www.execbar.com or schedule a confidential consultation today.
Key Takeaways
The Attorneys’ Exam is limited to the written section and available only to attorneys in good standing with 4+ years of active status.
The Full Bar Exam includes the written section plus the MBE.
Both exams share the same 1390 passing standard.
Attorneys must still complete the Moral Character Application and pass the MPRE.
California does not grant admission by motion or reciprocity from any other state.
Executive Bar Review Over 25 years of experience preparing licensed attorneys for the California Bar Exam.
