Why You Shouldn’t Wing The California Performance Test

Why You Shouldn’t Wing The California Performance Test

The California Performance Test can often stand between test-takers passing or failing the California Bar Exam. In this post, we cover why you should devote some serious time to practicing (and not winging!) the California Performance Test.

Why You Shouldn’t Wing The California Performance Test

Memoranda/Briefs Reign Supreme

The format of the California Performance Test remains a mystery until applicants see the problem for the first time on the bar exam. With that said, it’s common for the task at hand to include writing a brief or memorandum. Many times, applicants are asked to craft a memorandum to a “supervising partner” for their review. Similarly, the California Performance Test is also known for having students draft a persuasive brief to be filed in a fictional court. Knowing frequently tested topics ahead of taking the California Performance Test can ensure great use of bar prep time. With enough practice beforehand, drafting a memorandum or brief on the day of the exam will feel familiar, and increase your likelihood of receiving a high score! Getting familiar with the structure, using case law effectively, and striking an appropriate tone are all hugely beneficial to your performance on the California Performance Test.

Timing Issues

Timing is often the greatest enemy of an applicant tackling the California Performance Test. Like we mentioned above, many students dedicate at least an hour and a half to the performance test. However, it’s not uncommon for students to take two hours to complete the performance test. For those that choose to “wing” the California Performance Test, timing is often their downfall. While it’s true that the instructions, file, and library contain everything you need – those things take time to read. Many applicants read through these materials at least twice. Sure, everything you need is in front of you, but did you realize beforehand how to efficiently use it all? Those who practice the California Performance Test as a regular part of bar prep are more efficient, accurate, and concise in their writing.

It’s A Real-World Simulation

The California Performance Test simulates a task that you would receive as a first-year associate. Of course, the clients, courts, and case law are all fictional. However, the types of assignments applicants are asked to address are similar to real-world assignments for young attorneys. For those who held a clerkship or summer associate position throughout law school, the California Performance Test will feel familiar. However, for students that did not, the California Performance Test may be their firstexperience with real-world legal work. The California Bar Exam is not somewhere you want to be experiencing a lot of firsts. By practicing ahead of time during bar prep, students without a ton of real-world experience can feel confident.

• Looking to Pass the California Bar Exam?

  Free or discounted resources

  • A five-star bar exam course (for as low as $1399.99!) that provides you with the best instruction, outlines, and questions. Preview our course for free here!
  • Free popular bar exam guides (a CA bar exam essay guide, a guide on how to pass the bar exam, and a guide to hiring a bar exam tutor) written by bar exam experts!
  • Our new Free Bar Exam Resource Center, which includes our most popular free guides, posts, webinars, and more!
  • A free Early Bar Prep Course for law students

  Other resources

  Our most POPULAR and highly rated bar exam resources are:

  • Our On Demand Bar Exam Course 
  • Our NEW California Essay Exam Mastery Class, which covers the highly tested and difficult California bar exam issues!
  • California and Baby Bar Exam Private Tutoring by bar exam experts
  • CA One-Sheets and Baby Bar One-Sheets—rated five stars! Our customers love these supplements!
  • Real MBE questions—the best practice questions available!

  You can read more about our California Bar Exam services here.