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New York Bar Exam Information


Get Detailed Information About The New York Bar Exam Including Schedules, Grading, Reciprocity, Fees, Common Questions & More.

Multistate Essay Exam (MEE)
Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)

Multistate Essay Exam (MEE)

The Multistate Essay Examination (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 purpose of the MEE is to test the examinee's ability to (1) identify legal issues raised by a hypothetical factual situation; (2) separate material which is relevant from that which is not; (3) present a reasoned analysis of the relevant issues in a clear, concise, and well-organized composition; and (4) demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental legal principles relevant to the probable solution of the issues raised by the factual situation. The primary distinction between the MEE and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is that the MEE requires the examinee to demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Areas of law that may be covered on the MEE include the following: Business Associations (Agency and Partnership; Corporations and Limited Liability Companies), Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Real Property, Torts, Trusts and Estates (Decedents' Estates; Trusts and Future Interests), and Uniform Commercial Code (Secured Transactions). Some questions may include issues in more than one area of law. The particular areas covered vary from exam to exam.

Multistate Performance Test (MPT)

The Multistate Performance Test (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.

The MPT is designed to test an examinee's ability to use fundamental lawyering skills in a realistic situation and complete a task that a beginning lawyer should be able to accomplish. The MPT is not a test of substantive knowledge. Rather, it is designed to evaluate certain fundamental skills lawyers are expected to demonstrate regardless of the area of law in which the skills arise.

Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)

The MBE, which is administered on Wednesday, is developed and graded by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).

This portion of the examination is an objective 6-hour examination containing 200 multiple-choice questions, which is divided into two 3-hour sessions during which 100 questions are administered.

The MBE tests 7 subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.

Jurisdiction-Specific Component = Yes

Applicants must complete an online course in New York-specific law, known as the New York Law Course (NYLC) and take and pass an online examination, known as the New York Law Exam (NYLE).

2023 Filing Deadlines & Fees

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When is the NY Bar Exam in 2023 & 2024?

February 21-22, 2023 July 25-26, 2023 February 27-28, 2024 Jul 30-31, 2024
Timely Filing: Apr 30, 2022 November 30, 2022 TBD TBD

Feb 21-22, 2023

Timely Filing: Nov 1-30, 2022

Jul 25-26, 2023

Timely Filing: Apr 1-30, 2023

Feb 27-28, 2024

Timely Filing: TBD

Jul 30-31, 2024

Timely Filing: TBD

How Much Does the NY Bar Exam Cost?

Exam fee: $250 / $750
Attorney Exam fee: $250 / $750
Laptop Computer fee: $100

What is the NY Bar Exam Schedule Like?

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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 NY Bar Exam?

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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)

NY Bar Exam Grading & Scoring Process

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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 266 is required in New York.

  • MBE: 50%
  • MEE: 30%
  • MPT: 20%

Required MPRE Score: 85

NY Bar Exam Reciprocity

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UBE Transfer

New York will accept the transfer of a score of 266 or greater from a qualified UBE exam within three years of the date of application.

Admission on Motion

New York permits admission on motion, without examination, for applicants who have practiced for five of the preceding seven years, are admitted to practice in at least one reciprocal jurisdiction, and have graduated from an American Bar Association approved law school. All requirements for admission on motion can be found here.

How do I Contact the NY Bar?

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New York State Board of Law Examiners
Corporate Plaza, Building #3
254 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, NY 12203

http://www.nybarexam.org/
Phone: 518-453-5990
Fax: 518-452-5729

BarMax UBE Course Structure & Features

  • Comprehensive & Concise

    BarMax UBE includes the 14 major exam topics, corresponding to the topics tested on the exam. We then divide each topic into 7-8 subtopics to make the study material easier to absorb.

  • Superior Content

    Each subtopic includes an in-depth outline, an audio lecture from a Harvard-educated law professor, and when appropriate, numerous flashcards and multiple-choice MBE questions from previous exams. You will also receive the outines in printed hardcopy format.

  • Instant Access

    When you enroll in BarMax UBE your study materials are available instantly so you can start immediately and study at your pace. Plus, there are no additional fees to access the full course after the exam.

  • Essay Grading

    You will also receive 10 free writing critiques (performance tests or essays). Additional critiques can be purchased a la carte. Our former bar graders ensure you receive accurate and effective criticism.

NY UBE Course Study Materials

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practice essays icon 130+ Real Practice Essays
performance tests icon 75+ Real Perf Tests
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welcome packet icon Digital Welcome Packet
• Manageable study calendar sample
• Past essays & MPTs
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BarMax NY Pass Rates / State Rates (%)

82/70 82/70 75/61
first time ABA first time overall

I used BarMax for the UBE and I got a 318, when passing is a 270. I loved BarMax for it’s flexibility and effectiveness.

Jeremiah Styles

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Common Questions About the NY Bar Exam.

What is the difference between the NY Bar Exam, and the new NY Uniform Bar Exam?

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The New York Bar Exam includes questions about New York State Law while the New York Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) covers general, "multistate" legal principles.

The New York Bar Exam was the standard bar exam used in New York state prior to the July 2016 administration of the bar exam. The New York Uniform Bar Exam is now standard.

The New York Bar Exam included a five-essay state essay section, 200-question multistate multiple choice section, a 50-question state multiple choice section, and the "multistate performance test".

The New York Uniform Bar Exam includes a six-essay multistate essay section, two multistate "performance tests", and a 200-question multistate multiple choice section (the "multistate bar examination").

Note that, in order to be admitted to the bar in New York, applicants must also take and pass the New York Law Exam (NYLE), which is a separate multiple choice test covering only New York state law.

How do I apply for the New York Uniform Bar Exam?

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One may register for the New York Uniform Bar Exam by creating an account through the New York Board of Law Examiners (NY BOLE) website at https://www.nybarexam.org, completing a profile on the BOLE website, and filling out an exam application through the website during the applicable filing period.

What's the best way to prepare for the NY UBE?

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A formal bar preparation course, preferably taken through BarMax, is the best way to prepare for the NY UBE.

You also want to make sure that you are only preparing with real questions from previous bar exams. Not only for the MBE multiple-choice questions but also for the essays (MEE) and the performance tests (MPT).

Where are the New York UBE testing locations?

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In general, the New York UBE is administered in Manhattan or White Plains to in-state test takers and in Albany, Saratoga Springs, and Buffalo to out-of-state test takers.

When can I expect my bar exam results?

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Bar exam results are generally available within three to four months of the test date. That is, February test takers can expect to receive their results in May or June, while July test takers can expect to receive their results in October or November.

What are the NY UBE passage rates / state rate?

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The required passing score on the Uniform Bar Exam is 266 in New York.

The overall passage rate in 2017 (i.e. February & July administrations) for NY UBE test takers was 61 percent. The passage rate for first time takers was 76 percent.

When can I expect my bar exam results?

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Results for the February exam are typically released in May.

Results for the July exam are typically released in late October.