A bar examination is an examination conducted at regular intervals to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction.

In Brazil there is a bar examination that occurs nationwide two to three times a year (usually in January, March and September). These exams are organized by the Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (Order of Lawyers of Brazil), the Brazilian Bar association. The exam is divided in two stages — the first consists of 80 multiple choice questions covering all the disciplines learned at the university, in which the candidate must score at least 40 questions correctly. Being approved, the candidate is allowed to the second part of the exam, consisting in four essay questions and the elaboration of a motion, opinion or claim document of a chosen discipline (Administrative Law, Civil Law, Commercial Law, Constitutional Law, Labour Law, Criminal Law, or Tax Law, and their respective procedures), with a pass mark of 25%.

Since the UK have a separated legal profession, Law graduates in England and Wales can either take examinations to qualify as a Barrister or a Solicitor by either undertaking the BPTC or the LPC respectively. These courses are the vocational part of the training required under the Bar Association and The Law Society rules and are undertaken on a full-time basis for one year. After successfully completing these courses, which generally include various examinations and practical ability tests, graduates must secure either a Training Contract (for those who have completed the LPC) or a Pupillage (for those who have completed the BPTC). These are akin to Articling positions in other jurisdictions and are the final Practical stage before being granted full admission to practice. The general timescale therefore to become fully qualified after entering Law School can range between 6-7 years (assuming no repeats are required).