Are The California Performance Test And MPT Different?

Are The California Performance Test And MPT Different?

Notoriously low passage rates and a high volume of test-takers aren’t the only things that set the California Bar Exam apart from other states. Instead of a Multistate Performance Test (MPT), the California Bar Exam has a section called the California Performance Test. To help you prepare for the California Performance Test, we’ve identified 3 ways the California performance test is different from the MPT, along with a few tips to help you score your best.

Are The California Performance Test And MPT Different?

1. The California Performance Test Only Has One Legal Task – the MPT Has Two!

One key way the two tests differ is that the California bar exam only has one 90-minute performance test, while the UBE has two. Both tests are designed to see how well you perform on certain “real world” tasks faced by lawyers.

2. The California Performance Test is Usually Situated in “Columbia”

The CPT and the MPT typically use different fictional jurisdictions — Columbia in California, and Franklin on the MPT. On both tests, you’ll need to pay careful authority to the legal authorities in your library — are they binding or persuasive in your jurisdiction?

3. The MPT Has Tested Tasks That Have Yet to Appear on the California Performance Test

Another way they differ is that certain tasks that have appeared on the MPT have yet to appear on the California exam — for now, at least! For example, the California Performance Test hasn’t tested opinion letters or unusual tasks like bench memos.

Now that we’ve covered some of the ways the CPT is different from the MPT, it’s time to talk about their similarities. The types of tasks tested by each are generally very similar. For this reason, we recommend focuses on the more frequently tested tasks as your prepare. If you’re looking for additional practice material, MPTs can be a great way to prepare for the California Performance Test. Now that you know more about what to expect, it’s time to get to work!

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