Massachusetts Bar Exam Information
Get Detailed Information About The Massachusetts Bar Exam Including Schedules, Grading, Reciprocity, Fees, Common Questions & More.
Massachusetts Bar Exam Overview
To become a lawyer in Massachusetts, one must hold a degree from an accredited four-year university, make a passing score on the LSAT exam and complete an accredited law school program, and finally, complete the BAR exam with a UBE total of 270 or greater.
The Massachusetts Bar Exam uses the two-day Uniform Bar Exam(UBE) which is administered twice a year. The first day consists of the Multistate Perfornamce Test (MPT) and the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE). Day 2 consists of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). The MBE is objective in nature and tests various subjects such as Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, and much more.
The Massachusetts Bar Exam weights the day one portion of the test evenly with the second day. Both make up 50% of the overall grade. You need a 270/400 to pass in the state of Massachusetts
The best way to prepare for the BAR exam in Massachusetts is through studying material on the most common law subjects. For the Massachusetts Bar Exam specifically, the essay questions are likely to cover access to justice, federal rules of civil procedure, and other topics(see below).
The MBE questions include civil law, evidence, and more. Many find success through practice tests that closely resemble the content and test structure of the Maryland Bar Exam. You can find extremely helpful study material here at Test Max Prep.
The Massachusetts Bar Exam takes place twice a year, held at differing locations.. You can contact the Massachusetts Board of Examiners for more information about application requirements, test day expectations, and dates.
2020 Filing Deadlines & Fees
When is the MA Bar Exam in 2020?
| February 25-26, 2020 | July 28-29, 2020 | February 23-24, 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline: | Dec 6, 2019 | TBD | TBD |
How Much Does the MA Bar Exam Cost?
| Regular Application fee: | $815 |
| Laptop Computer fee: | $75 |
What is the MA Bar Exam Schedule Like?
The Massachusetts Bar Exam is a 2-day exam administered twice a year.
| Day | AM | PM |
|---|---|---|
| Wed | 100 MBE Questions (3 hours) | 100 MBE Questions (3 hours) |
| Thurs | 5 Essays on any subject (3 hours) | 5 Essays on any subject (3 hours) |
What Subjects Are Tested On The MA Bar Exam?
MBE Subjects
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
Essay Subjects
- Access to Justice
- Agency
- Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
- Business Organizations
- Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law/li>
- Professional Responsibility
- Contracts
- Real Property (inc. Mortgages)
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Torts
- Descent & Distribution of Estates
- Trusts
- Domestic Relations
- Unfair or Deceptive Practices (G.L c. 93A)
- Evidence (including Federal Rules)
- Uniform Commercial Code (Articles 1-9)
- Federal Jurisdiction
- Wills
MA Bar Exam Grading & Scoring Process
NCBE scores the MBE component of the exam.
Massachusetts total scores are reported on a 400-point scale and a passing score of 270 is required in Massachusetts.
- MBE: 50%
- ESSAYS: 50%
Required MPRE Score: 85
Results
Results for the February exam are typically released in late-April.
Results for the July exam are typically released in late-October.
MA Bar Exam Reciprocity
Massachusetts does not have reciprocity with any jurisdiction
Acceptance of MBE Score
Massachusetts does allow for transfer of actual raw MBE score form another jurisdiction only if from a concurrent exam.
Admission on Motion
Massachusetts does allow for admission on motion.
Application for Admission on Motion fee: $1,150
File Applications with:
Maura S. Doyle, Clerk
Supreme Judicial Court for The County of Suffolk
John Adams Courthouse, 1st floor
One Pemberton Square, Suite 1300
Boston, MA 02108-1707
How do I Contact the MA Bar?
http://www.mass.gov/courts/
info@bbe.state.ma.us
Phone: 617-482-4466
Fax: 617-542-5943
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