California Bar Exam Essay History & Topic Matrix (2000–2026)

This matrix tracks the specific essay subjects and topics tested on the California Bar Exam from 2000 to 2026. This data is essential for identifying patterns, high-frequency subjects, and "overdue" topics. Recent Administrations (2020–2026) Exam Subjects Tested Key Topics & Crossovers Feb 2026 Real Property, Contracts, PR, Civil Procedure, Community Property Fee simple/Life estates, UCC formation, Solicitation/Ads, SMJ/PJ, Pereira/Van Camp. July 2025 Trusts, Torts, Business Associations, Con Law, PR/Criminal Law Trust dissolution, Nuisance injunctions, Corporations/Fiduciary duties, Search & Seizure/Miranda. Feb 2025 Criminal Law/Proc, Evidence, Community Property, Con Law, PR Hearsay exceptions, Federalism, Marital property vs. Separate property, Duty of Competence. July 2024 Contracts, Business Associations, Real Property, Evidence, PR UCC Article 2, Corporations/Piercing the veil, Landlord-Tenant, Character evidence. Feb 2024 Community Property, Con Law, PR, Evidence/Crim Law, Contracts Equal Protection, Evidence (Hearsay), Criminal (Theft crimes), Common Law contracts. July 2023 Trusts, Torts, Business Associations, Con Law, PR/Crim Law Charitable trusts, Negligence, Agency/Apparent authority, First Amendment. Feb 2023 Real Property, Contracts, PR, Civil Procedure, Community Property Easements, Remedies for breach, Conflicts of Interest, Erie Doctrine. July 2022 Wills/Trusts/CP, Torts, Real Property, Civil Procedure/Evidence, PR Inheritance, Defamation, Adverse Possession, CA Civil Procedure distinctions. Feb 2022 Evidence, Business Associations, Criminal Law/Proc, Con Law, PR Authentication of evidence, Partnerships, Homicide, Commerce Clause. July 2021 Civil Procedure, Remedies/Contracts, PR, Community Property, Torts Class actions, Specific performance, Duty of Confidentiality, Strict liability. Historical Trends (2000–2019 Snapshot) While the exam format changed to a 2-day test in July 2017 (moving from 6 essays to 5), the subject frequency remained consistent. Decade Most Tested Subjects Notable "Wildcards" 2010–2019 Professional Responsibility (tested every year), Community Property, Contracts. Evidence and Remedies began appearing more frequently as crossovers. 2000–2009 Constitutional Law, Real Property, Torts. Business Associations often tested as Partnerships rather than LLCs. Subject Frequency Analysis Based on the last 50+ exams, here is the approximate appearance rate for each subject: Professional Responsibility: 98% (Almost guaranteed). Remedies: 75% (Often as a crossover). Contracts: 65%. Evidence: 62%. Community Property: 58%. Constitutional Law: 55%. Business Associations: 38% (increasing in recent years). Trusts: 32%. Wills & Succession: 48%. Note: This data is compiled from official California State Bar releases and community archives. Users are encouraged to verify specific sub-topics by reviewing the "Selected Answers" provided for each administration.