What is the Bar Exam?
The bar exam is a test administered twice a year to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiciton. The exam varies from state to state but is typically tested over two days and includes the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) which consists of 200 multiple choice questions. It also includes a written component which may draw from the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) and may also include one to two multistate performance tests (MPT). Select your exam state above to learn specific info for that state.
The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
The MBE is a six-hour, 200-question multiple-choice examination developed by NCBE and administered by user jurisdictions as part of the bar examination on the last Wednesday in February and the last Wednesday in July of each year. All states use the MBE with the exception of Louisiana.
MBE topics:
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
The Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)
The MEE is developed by NCBE and consists of six 30-minute questions. It is administered by user jurisdictions as part of the bar examination on the Tuesday before the last Wednesday in February and July of each year.
The Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
The MPT is developed by NCBE and consists of two 90-minute items. It is administered by user jurisdictions as part of the bar examination on the Tuesday before the last Wednesday in February and July of each year. User jurisdictions may select one or both MPT items to include as part of their bar examinations. Jurisdictions that administer the Uniform Bar Examination use both MPT items.
What is the UBE?
The Uniform Bar Exam is coordinated by the NCBE and consists of three parts: The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). It is administered, graded, and scored by user jurisdictions. Scores may be transferred to other UBE jurisdictions. The following states use the UBE:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan (February 2023)
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Virgin Islands
