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You'll love our User-Friendly Tables and Drill-Down Menus
Use BarIssues.com to Focus on What Counts. Here's How:
Study by Subject
  • Choose one of the 15 subjects to see a list of all issues tested in that subject since 2001
  • One-click to sort the issues by frequency or name
  • Use drill-down menus to go directly to any essay for the subject you're studying
  • Use our Subject Analysis Chart to help make your study plan
Study by Issue
  • Search database by issue name
  • See a list of all exams covering any previously tested issue
  • Compare answers A and B to see different approaches to issues on the same essay
  • Compare how an issue is discussed across a variety of State Bar selected answers
Study by Essay
  • Quick-reference pop-up lists - show all issues in one essay
  • View a PDF file to see only the essay you want to see! One file for each essay question!
  • Great for essay writing practice
  • Premium subscribers get our Ultimate Essay Tracker - a tool for tracking your progress!

Pricing

Choose Your Plan:
Standard:  
BarIssues.com
  • 6 months access to BarIssues.com from date of sign-up - no bar exam cutoff
  • 24/7 access to the database
  • Subject Analysis Chart with historical testing of each subject from 2001 to present
  • Includes our 2-Year Essay Tracker to track your essay reviews for the 4 bar exams through last July
Sign Me Up!
Premium:   
BarIssues.com
  • 1 full year access to BarIssues.com from date of sign-up - no bar exam cutoff
  • 24/7 access to the database
  • Subject Analysis Chart with historical testing of each subject from 2001 to present
  • Includes our Ultimate Essay Tracker, your personal guide to check off essays as you review them
Sign Me Up!
Extend or Renew
Extend your current subscription or come back to us (welcome back!) for the following discounted rates:

Standard Plan - $79
6 Month Extension or Renewal

Premium Plan - $119
1 Year Extension or Renewal
Extend / Renew

FAQs

If your question is not answered here, please Contact Us and we will get right back to you!

Technical

Q
Will I need to download any software to use BarIssues.com?
A
No. All of the tools in BarIssues.com are web-based – all you need to do is log in with your user ID and password, and the rest is provided for you. You can conveniently access the data from any computer or mobile device.
Q
Can I print the essay question & answer files or save them to my computer?
A
Yes, we allow subscribers to download and/or print the essay question & answer files for personal use.
Q
I have the essay question and answer file open. How do I find the Issue?
A
When you open the file, the first page you’ll see is the essay question, followed by selected answers "A" and "B." You will often find the Issue underlined or used as a headnote, but not always. We recommend you read through the answers in full to see the Issue discussed in context. You may also use standard search functions (such as Ctrl+F) to search for keywords.
Q
The search box is returning no results for the Issue I'm looking for. What does this mean?
A
Keep in mind the Issue may not have been tested on a bar exam since 2001. Be sure to type complete words in the search box. Try searching one word rather than a phrase. Alternatively, you can view and select from a complete list of Issues in any subject from the Issues Database start page.
Q
Do you have a tutorial or instructional material?
A
Yes! All features of BarIssues.com are demonstrated with detailed instructions here in our How-To Video.

Database

Q
When and how often is your database updated?
A
Twice per year, after every new release of State Bar essay questions and selected answers. You will be notified via email and upon logging into your account when there has been an update to BarIssues.com
Q
Does the Issue search box cover all 15 subjects?
A
Yes! You only have to type in one word to get all Issues that contain that word, across all subjects. For example, if you type the word "liability" in the search box, your results will include "Product Liability" (Torts), "Accomplice Liability" (Criminal Law), and "Limited Liability Partnership" (Partnerships).
Q
Can I search for rule elements or sub-issues in the database?
A
Yes! Key elements and sub-issues are often discussed as Issues in an essay answer. When this occurs, we include them in our database, since they are worth points on the essay exam.
Q
If an Issue is shown to have been tested twice, does this mean 2 different essays, or twice because it was spotted in both the "A" and "B" answers?
A
It means the Issue is tested in 2 different essay exams. We do not count an Issue twice when it is in both the A and B answers. (But we do show you whether it can be found in answer A, B or both so you can locate it easily.)
Q
What are the Alternate Names for?
A
Some Issues are commonly known under more than one name. For example, in the subject of Civil Procedure, "Res Judicata" is also called "Claim Preclusion." In our database you will find this single Issue under either name. The essays may contain either or both names, depending on the writer. Thus, we provide these whenever possible to assist you in reviewing the answers.
Q
I found an Issue in an answer which isn’t listed in your database for that essay - why is that?
A
Most likely, this is because the Issue is only referenced briefly (e.g.: one sentence), so we did not include it because it lacked value for study purposes. However, if you feel the Issue discussion is substantive enough to be counted in the database, please drop us a note - we'll be happy to add it.
Q
Should I assume that the law is correct in the selected answers?
A
No. Although selected answers received high scores from the Bar examiners, they are not "perfect" or "model" answers. They were written under exam conditions and sometimes contain misstated rules of law. Remember, it is your responsibility to double check the law on all essays.
Q
I'm confused about the subject called Business Associations on the State Bar of California website because my law school tests this in 3 subjects. How do I find this in the database?
A
In 2007, the State Bar of California combined the subjects of Corporations, Agency, and Partnerships into one broad category called Business Associations. For study purposes, we have continued to use the terms “Corporations" and "Partnerships" for Business Associations exams, as applicable. (Agency is usually tested within Corporations and Partnerships.)

General

Q
Can I extend or renew my subscription?
A
Yes, you can extend your subscription prior to its expiration or you can even renew it after it has expired. We'll even give you a break on the price. Visit our Pricing section for complete details.
Q
I don't use PayPal - do you accept any other methods of payment?
A
Yes. Although we use PayPal for our payment processing, you still have the option to pay with your Visa, MasterCard, bank debit card, or PayPal.
Q
I have some questions about my account – how can I best reach you for help?
A
The best way to get in touch with us is through our Contact form or, if you prefer, send an email to support@barissues.com. We check messages daily and will reply quickly!
Q
Are there any features in development, and do you take suggestions?
A
Yes, and yes! We are considering some new features and tools to help our subscribers succeed on the bar exam. If you have any suggestions or comments about how you would like to use our service, please let us know!