Bar Examination Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Bar Examination, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Bar Examination?

(n) Bar Examination is the test conducted to qualify an attorney who has acquired a degree in law for permitting him to practice law in the federal courts of their district. The rules or permission and accreditation with reference to bar examination varies from state to state.

History and Meaning of Bar Examination

Bar Examinations are tests that are conducted to determine whether an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to practice law in a given jurisdiction. The first bar examination in the United States was conducted in Delaware in 1763, and since then, most states have adopted similar testing procedures.

The purpose of the bar examination is to ensure that attorneys who are licensed to practice law in a given jurisdiction have a thorough understanding of the law and the ability to apply legal principles to real-world scenarios. The content and format of bar examinations vary from state to state, but most require applicants to demonstrate competency in multiple areas of the law, including constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, evidence, and torts.

Examples of Bar Examination

  1. John is studying for the New York Bar Examination, which consists of a two-day test that covers a wide range of legal topics.

  2. Mary passed the California Bar Examination on her first attempt and is now licensed to practice law in the state.

  3. The American Bar Association recommends that all bar examinations include essay questions that require applicants to apply legal principles to hypothetical fact patterns.

Legal Terms Similar to Bar Examination

  1. Uniform Bar Examination (UBE): A standardized bar examination that is administered in a number of states and consists of multiple choice questions, essays, and performance tests.

  2. Multistate Bar Examination (MBE): A component of many bar examinations that assesses an applicant's knowledge of general legal principles and the ability to apply those principles to specific scenarios.

  3. Character and Fitness Evaluation: In addition to passing the bar examination, most jurisdictions require applicants to undergo a character and fitness evaluation to ensure that they are of good moral character and fit to practice law.