Once you’ve graduated from law school, you need to pass one last hurdle before you can officially practice law: The bar exam.
The bar exam is composed of multiple sections administered throughout the year. Bar exam requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Where should I take the bar exam?
Generally, you should take the bar in the state where you will reside and practice law. Depending on the firm that employs you, there may be additional considerations (e.g., Is your firm a national or international company? Will you practice in the District of Columbia?).
Where can I get an application for the bar exam?
Contact your State Board of Bar (or Law) Examiners to request one. The application is lengthy and time-consuming with specific deadlines: Allow plenty of time to complete.
Components of the Bar Exam
Multistate
Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
- Two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice exam.
- Measures your knowledge of the ethical standards in the legal profession.
- Required in all states except Maryland, Washington, and Wisconsin.
- Administered in November, March, and August.
Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)
- Six-hour, 200-question multiple-choice exam.
- Covers contracts, torts, constitutional law, criminal law, evidence, and real property.
- Mandatory in all states except Louisiana and Washington.
- Administered on the last Wednesday of February
and July.
State Essay Exam (SEE)
- Questions and subject matter may vary by jurisdiction.
- Measures your knowledge of business organizations, conflict of laws, commercial transactions, family law, federal civil procedure and wills, trusts, and future interests.
- Administered on the Tuesday before the last Wednesday in February and July following the MBE.
Some states use the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) which is made up of six 30-minute essay questions. You may be required to apply both general and state law principles on the MEE.
Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
- Three 90-minute skills questions.
- Covering legal analysis, fact analysis, problem-solving, resolution of ethical dilemmas, organization and management of a lawyering task, and communication.
- Currently 32 states require this exam.
- Administered on the last Tuesday in February and July.
Bar Exam Scoring
Each section of the exam is assigned a value (MPRE is
scored separately).
How each piece of the exam rates
depends on the jurisdiction—most take your scaled
MBE score and average with your essay score and/or performance
test section of the bar exam.
Some states require
a minimum score on the MBE in order to pass the bar,
regardless of the average of your essay/performance
and MBE score.
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