The Bar Examination

Wills, Probates, and Trusts

The Washington State Bar Examination also tests on the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct. Printed copies are available at the WSBA office for $5.00, plus tax. They are also published in the West Publishing volume, "Washington Court Rules - State." Click here to read the Rules of Professional Conduct online.

Sample Questions

A packet of questions from 10 past exams is available for $20.00, plus tax. One examination will include actual responses as written by successful applicants - they are not intended to be "perfect" answers and may contain errors of grammar or law. To purchase this packet, you may send a check requesting one to be sent to you or you may call the WSBA Admissions Office at 206-727-8209 with a Visa or Mastercard.

Bar Review Course Information

The Washington State Bar Association does not endorse, approve, or rate any bar review courses. A page of Bar Review Course contact information is maintained as a convenience to the public and at the request of the course sponsors.

Grading

The grading of the bar examination is strictly anonymous. The Bar Examiners who grade the papers never have access to the identity of the individual taking the examination.

Structure of the Bar Examination

In two and a half days, applicants are required to answer 24 essay questions. The substantive portion is given on the first two days and the Professional Responsibility portion is given on the morning of the third.

The Substantive Portion is given over two days, with three sessions of two hours and 15 minutes. Every session has three printed questions. Each question has 64 lines for the answer. Each response is confined to the lined space provided for that question. Laptop users are allowed a maximum of 4,963 characters for each essay answer. Three sheets of scratch paper are provided for each session.

The Professional Responsibility Portion is a single session of two hours and 15 minutes, given on the third day of the examination. There are six questions, each with 29 lines for the response. Laptop users are allowed a maximum of 2,349 characters. Again, three sheets of scratch paper are provided.

The bar examination does not include or require the MBE or MPRE.

Legibility and Content

Orderly presentation of material, grammatical construction, and legibility are important in grading. Avoid use of symbols or abbreviations. The reasons for each answer are more important than the conclusions, but be as brief as is consistent with clarity. Give attention to readability — if your answers are not legible, your results will be delayed and you may be required to transcribe them at your own expense.

Blue or Black Ink Only

All handwritten answers must be done in blue or black ink. Use of pencils or colored pens may result in disqualification. Erasable pens are allowed, but are not recommended due to smearing. It is the responsibility of each applicant to insure that he or she has enough pens.

Laptop Computers for the Examination

The Washington State Bar Association offers applicants the opportunity to use a personal laptop computer for the bar examination through ExamSoft Worldwide, Inc., using software called SofTest, which blocks access to any files on an applicant's laptop other than the software's own word-processing function. A laptop's full operating functions resume after SofTest reboots the computer back into Windows following the completion of an examination.

SofTest must be downloaded onto your computer in advance of the examination. In addition to applying for the examination, you must register with ExamSoft during the registration period listed in the Bar Examination Deadlines and Schedules.

For further information and registration, please see the ExamSoft website.

Notification of Results

Due to the number of persons taking the examination and the great care given to the grading process, examination results will not be known until approximately two months after the bar examination. Generally, results for the Summer examination are released in the beginning of October, and for the Winter examination in the beginning of May. A letter advising you of the results of the examination will be mailed to you at the last address that you have provided to the WSBA. Forty-eight (48) hours after the letters are mailed, the pass list will be released to the press, posted in the Bar Office, and posted on the general bar examination page of the WSBA website. See the Bar Examination Deadlines and Schedules for exact dates.

Copies of Failed Bar Examination

An applicant may obtain a copy of the applicant's own failed examination by written request by including name, address, and signature sent to Admissions Department, 1325 4th Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539.

Those who pass the bar examination are not allowed to see or receive a copy of their examination.

Appeal of Bar Examination Results

Applicants whose scores fall within a set range can appeal. There is no appeal for those failing below this range. If an applicant qualifies for and files an appeal within the deadline, the applicant can request that up to six answers be reviewed for each portion (substantive and professional responsibility). The original score is not shown to the Appeals Committee examiners, and a grade may go up, down, or remain the same.

Additional Questions

Any further questions should be directed to the WSBA Admissions Staff at admissions@wsba.org or by calling the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-9722 requesting to speak with an Admissions Staff member.