To become a lawyer in Missouri, one must hold a degree from an accredited four-year university, receive a passing score on the LSAT exam, finish an accredited law school program, and complete the Missouri Bar with a passing score of 260 or higher. Missouri is one of many states that uses the UBE.
The Missouri Bar Exam uses the two-day Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) that consists of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), one Multistate Performance Test (MPT), and the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE). The first day of the exam is the essay portion of the test, which consists of six essay questions (MEE) created by the Bar Association of Missouri and the Multistate Performance Test. The second day consists of a 200 question, multiple-choice Multistate Bar Examination, which is split into two sections.
The Missouri Bar Exam weights the first-day essay portion of the test more heavily than the other parts combined. The MBE is weighted at 50%, the MEE is 30% and the MPT is 20% to create the total test weight.
The best way to prepare for the BAR exam in Missouri is through studying material on the most popular law areas. For the Missouri Bar Exam specifically, the essay questions are likely to cover agency, commercial transactions, family law, and other topics (see below). The MBE questions include family law, business and crime law, and more. Many find success through practice tests that closely resemble the content and test structure of the Missouri Bar Exam. You can find useful study material here at Test Max Prep.
The Missouri Bar Exam occurs twice a year, held at varying locations. To apply, applicants must complete the admission application and an original petition to take the bar exam in Missouri specifically. You can contact the Missouri Board of Examiners for more information about application requirements, test day expectations, and dates.
2021 Filing Deadlines & Fees
When is the MO Bar Exam in 2021?
| |
July 27-28, 2021 |
February 22-23, 2022 |
| Application Deadline: |
Mar 1, 2021 |
Oct 1, 2021 |
| Secondary Deadline |
Apr 1, 2021 |
Nov 1, 2021 |
| Late Deadline: |
May 1, 2021 |
Dec 1, 2021 |
| Final Deadline: |
May 31, 2021 |
Dec 31, 2021 |
How Much Does the MO Bar Exam Cost?
| Regular Application fee: |
$910 |
| Secondary Application fee: |
$1,035 |
| Late Application fee: |
$1,215 |
| Final Application fee: |
$1470 |
| Attorney Application fee: |
$1470 |
| Laptop Computer fee: |
$105 |
What is the MO Bar Exam Schedule Like?
The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is a 2-day exam administered twice a year, with the MBE given on the last Wednesday of February and July and the MEE and MPT given on the Tuesday prior to that.
| Day |
AM |
PM |
| Tue |
2 Performance Test (3 hours) |
6 Essays on any subject (3 hours) |
| Wed |
100 MBE Questions (3 hours) |
100 MBE Questions (3 hours) |
What Subjects Are Tested on The MO Bar Exam?
MBE Subjects
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
Essay Subjects
- Business Associations
- Civil Procedure
- Conflict of Laws
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Evidence
- Family Law
- Real Property
- Torts
- Trusts
- Wills (Decedents' Estates)
MO Bar Exam Grading & Scoring Process
NCBE scores the MBE component of the UBE. Jurisdictions grade the MEE and MPT components. The MEE and MPT scores are scaled to the MBE and UBE total scores are calculated by NCBE.
UBE total scores are reported on a 400-point scale and a passing score of 260 is required in Missouri.
- MBE: 50%
- MEE: 30%
- MPT: 20%
Missouri bar students are required to pass a conduct exam called the MPRE with a score of at least 80.
Results
Results for the February exam are typically released in April. Results for the July exam are typically released in September.
MO Bar Exam Reciprocity
UBE Transfer
Missouri will accept a UBE score earned in another UBE jurisdiction if the scaled total score is at least 260 and was attained on a UBE administered within the twenty-four months preceding the date the application to Missouri is properly submitted.
Admission on Motion
Missouri does allow for admission on motion for applicants who have been practicing law for at least 5 of the past 10 years. All requirements for admission on motion can be found here.
How do I Contact the MO Bar?
Missouri Board of Law Examiners
P.O. Box 104236
Jefferson City, MO 65110-4236
www.mble.org
mble@courts.mo.gov
Phone: 573-751-9814
Fax: 573-751-5335
