CALIFORNIA BAR EXAMINATION (JULY ) PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
WELL VERIFIED EXPLANATIONS 2026.
1. A plaintiff brings a negligence action in California state court. Which of
the following best states the standard for summary judgment under
California law?
A. Summary judgment is granted if any factual dispute exists
B. Summary judgment is granted if there is no triable issue of material
fact
C. Summary judgment is granted only after a full trial
D. Summary judgment is granted if the moving party shows probable
success at trial
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: California grants summary judgment where no triable issue
of material fact exists and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law. A is incorrect because disputes must be material. C and D
misstate the procedural standard.
2. Under California Evidence law, which statement about hearsay is correct?
A. All out-of-court statements are inadmissible
B. Hearsay is admissible if it is relevant
C. Hearsay is inadmissible unless it falls under an exception
D. Hearsay is always admissible in civil cases
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hearsay is generally inadmissible unless an exception
applies. A is too broad, B ignores the hearsay rule, and D is incorrect as
hearsay rules apply in civil cases.
3. A contract lacks consideration. Which doctrine may still render it
enforceable?
A. Res judicata
B. Promissory estoppel
C. Statute of frauds
D. Parol evidence rule
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Promissory estoppel can enforce a promise where reliance
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, substitutes for consideration. The other doctrines are unrelated to
consideration.
4. Under California community property law, which property is considered
separate property?
A. Earnings during marriage
B. Property acquired during marriage
C. Property owned before marriage
D. Gifts to both spouses
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Property owned before marriage is separate property.
Earnings and acquisitions during marriage are generally community
property, and gifts to both spouses are community property.
5. A defendant moves to suppress evidence obtained without a warrant.
Which amendment is implicated?
A. First Amendment
B. Fourth Amendment
C. Sixth Amendment
D. Eighth Amendment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable
searches and seizures. The other amendments address different rights.
6. Which of the following is required for adverse possession in California?
A. Permission from the owner
B. Open and notorious possession
C. Payment of rent
D. Written agreement
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Adverse possession requires open, notorious, hostile,
continuous possession and payment of taxes. Permission negates hostility.
7. Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, what is the time limit to
respond to a complaint?
A. 10 days
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, B. 14 days
C. 21 days
D. 30 days
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A defendant has 21 days to respond after being served.
Other options are incorrect timelines.
8. Which crime requires specific intent?
A. Battery
B. Negligence
C. Burglary
D. Strict liability offense
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Burglary requires intent to commit a crime upon entry.
Battery is general intent, negligence is not criminal intent, and strict
liability requires no intent.
9. What is the main purpose of the statute of frauds?
A. Prevent fraud in criminal law
B. Require certain contracts to be in writing
C. Eliminate oral contracts
D. Enforce all agreements
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The statute of frauds requires certain contracts to be in
writing. It does not eliminate all oral contracts.
10.In tort law, what does “proximate cause” refer to?
A. The first event in time
B. The closest defendant
C. Legal cause of harm
D. Intentional wrongdoing
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Proximate cause limits liability to foreseeable harms. It is
not about timing or intent.
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, 11.Under California law, which entity regulates attorneys?
A. Supreme Court of the United States
B. California Legislature
C. State Bar of California
D. Governor’s Office
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The State Bar of California regulates attorneys. The
Supreme Court has oversight, but the Bar administers regulation.
12.What is required for a valid search warrant?
A. Suspicion
B. Probable cause
C. Reasonable doubt
D. Preponderance of evidence
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Probable cause is required for issuing a warrant. Other
standards apply in different contexts.
13.Which of the following is NOT a defense to negligence?
A. Comparative fault
B. Assumption of risk
C. Consent
D. Strict liability
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Strict liability is a theory of liability, not a defense. The
others can reduce or eliminate liability.
14.A tenant remains after lease expiration. What is the tenancy called?
A. Tenancy at will
B. Tenancy for years
C. Periodic tenancy
D. Tenancy at sufferance
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A holdover tenant creates a tenancy at sufferance. Other
tenancies involve consent.
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EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
WELL VERIFIED EXPLANATIONS 2026.
1. A plaintiff brings a negligence action in California state court. Which of
the following best states the standard for summary judgment under
California law?
A. Summary judgment is granted if any factual dispute exists
B. Summary judgment is granted if there is no triable issue of material
fact
C. Summary judgment is granted only after a full trial
D. Summary judgment is granted if the moving party shows probable
success at trial
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: California grants summary judgment where no triable issue
of material fact exists and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law. A is incorrect because disputes must be material. C and D
misstate the procedural standard.
2. Under California Evidence law, which statement about hearsay is correct?
A. All out-of-court statements are inadmissible
B. Hearsay is admissible if it is relevant
C. Hearsay is inadmissible unless it falls under an exception
D. Hearsay is always admissible in civil cases
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hearsay is generally inadmissible unless an exception
applies. A is too broad, B ignores the hearsay rule, and D is incorrect as
hearsay rules apply in civil cases.
3. A contract lacks consideration. Which doctrine may still render it
enforceable?
A. Res judicata
B. Promissory estoppel
C. Statute of frauds
D. Parol evidence rule
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Promissory estoppel can enforce a promise where reliance
1|Page
, substitutes for consideration. The other doctrines are unrelated to
consideration.
4. Under California community property law, which property is considered
separate property?
A. Earnings during marriage
B. Property acquired during marriage
C. Property owned before marriage
D. Gifts to both spouses
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Property owned before marriage is separate property.
Earnings and acquisitions during marriage are generally community
property, and gifts to both spouses are community property.
5. A defendant moves to suppress evidence obtained without a warrant.
Which amendment is implicated?
A. First Amendment
B. Fourth Amendment
C. Sixth Amendment
D. Eighth Amendment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable
searches and seizures. The other amendments address different rights.
6. Which of the following is required for adverse possession in California?
A. Permission from the owner
B. Open and notorious possession
C. Payment of rent
D. Written agreement
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Adverse possession requires open, notorious, hostile,
continuous possession and payment of taxes. Permission negates hostility.
7. Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, what is the time limit to
respond to a complaint?
A. 10 days
2|Page
, B. 14 days
C. 21 days
D. 30 days
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A defendant has 21 days to respond after being served.
Other options are incorrect timelines.
8. Which crime requires specific intent?
A. Battery
B. Negligence
C. Burglary
D. Strict liability offense
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Burglary requires intent to commit a crime upon entry.
Battery is general intent, negligence is not criminal intent, and strict
liability requires no intent.
9. What is the main purpose of the statute of frauds?
A. Prevent fraud in criminal law
B. Require certain contracts to be in writing
C. Eliminate oral contracts
D. Enforce all agreements
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The statute of frauds requires certain contracts to be in
writing. It does not eliminate all oral contracts.
10.In tort law, what does “proximate cause” refer to?
A. The first event in time
B. The closest defendant
C. Legal cause of harm
D. Intentional wrongdoing
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Proximate cause limits liability to foreseeable harms. It is
not about timing or intent.
3|Page
, 11.Under California law, which entity regulates attorneys?
A. Supreme Court of the United States
B. California Legislature
C. State Bar of California
D. Governor’s Office
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The State Bar of California regulates attorneys. The
Supreme Court has oversight, but the Bar administers regulation.
12.What is required for a valid search warrant?
A. Suspicion
B. Probable cause
C. Reasonable doubt
D. Preponderance of evidence
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Probable cause is required for issuing a warrant. Other
standards apply in different contexts.
13.Which of the following is NOT a defense to negligence?
A. Comparative fault
B. Assumption of risk
C. Consent
D. Strict liability
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Strict liability is a theory of liability, not a defense. The
others can reduce or eliminate liability.
14.A tenant remains after lease expiration. What is the tenancy called?
A. Tenancy at will
B. Tenancy for years
C. Periodic tenancy
D. Tenancy at sufferance
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A holdover tenant creates a tenancy at sufferance. Other
tenancies involve consent.
4|Page
