Overview

• Most states’ Bar Exams are given over a Two-Day period consisting of
  • Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
  • Essays specific to each state’s laws - some states use the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)
• Some states (like California and Texas) examine candidates over a Three-Day period.
• The Multistate Performance Test (MPT) is tested in some states.
• Most states require prospective attorneys to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
• For specific information regarding your state please visit National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE)

Essay Day  

• The essay day normally precedes the MBE and is generally given on a Tuesday
• The number of essays and subjects tested vary by jurisdiction
• In some states (e.g. Texas) the essay day follows the Multistate Day
• In California there are two essay days; a candidate will be given:
  • Three essays on the morning of the day before the Multistate Examination Day.
  • Three essays on the on the morning after the Multistate Examination Day.
• Some states use the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) and/or the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) , generally tested on the essay day
  

Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) Day

• This examination is a 200-question (10 of which are test questions and are not counted)multiple choice exam  given in 48 states on the same day:
  • The last Wednesday in February
  • The last Wednesday in July
• The MBE is the same examination given in all (48) states
• The subjects tested are:
  • Contracts/Sales - 33 questions
  • Torts - 33 questions
  • Real Property - 31 questions
  • Evidence - 31 questions
  • Constitutional Law - 31 questions
  • Criminal Law and Procedure - 31 questions
• Two states do not use the examination:
  • Louisiana
  • Washington.
• Four U.S. territories require it:
  • Guam
  • Northern Marinara Islands
  • Palau
  • U.S. Virgin Islands 
• For a comprehensive outline of the subjects on the MBE see MBE Information (NCBE)
• For specific information regarding your state please see National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE)

All states differ somewhat in their testing requirements

• Most states require candidates to write essays on the day preceding the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) in state-specific subjects.
• Some states will test on general majority rule subjects.
• Several states have now adopted the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) and/or the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) - tests also prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).
• Some states require a third day of testing, e.g., Texas and California.
• For a comprehensive outline of the subjects on the MBE see MBE Subject Overview (NCBE)
• Recently, some states have adopted the Uniform Bar Exam UBE - see UBE Jurisdictions