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The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners and is administered by participating jurisdictions on the last Wednesday in February and the last Wednesday in July of each year. The purpose of the MBE is to assess the extent to which an examinee can apply fundamental legal principles and legal reasoning to analyze given fact patterns.
The MBE contains 200 multiple-choice questions, 190 of which are scored. The 10 unscored questions are being evaluated for future use; because these questions are indistinguishable from the scored questions, examinees should answer all 200 questions. The exam is divided into morning and afternoon testing sessions of three hours each, with 100 questions in each session. The 190 scored questions on the MBE are distributed as follows: Constitutional Law (31), Contracts (33), Criminal Law and Procedure (31), Evidence (31), Real Property (31), and Torts (33). Subject matter outlines are available by clicking on Which subjects are covered on the MBE?
Jurisdiction Information
A list of jurisdictions currently using the MBE is available by clicking on Which jurisdictions administer the MBE? Applicants should contact the bar admissions agency in the jurisdiction to which they seek admission to ascertain whether the MBE is part of the jurisdiction's examination. Contact information for jurisdictions can be found on the Bar Admission Services page.
The MBE is only one of a number of measures that a board of bar examiners may use in determining competence to practice. Each jurisdiction determines its own policy with regard to the relative weight given to the MBE and other scores. (The MBE is a component of the Uniform Bar Examination [UBE]. Jurisdictions administering the UBE weight the MBE 50%.) To obtain information about bar admission requirements or to apply for admission to the bar, applicants should contact the appropriate jurisdiction.
Taking the Test
Each of the questions on the MBE is followed by four possible answers. Examinees should choose the best answer from the four stated alternatives. Each question on the MBE is designed to be answered according to generally accepted fundamental legal principles, unless noted otherwise in the question. Examinees should mark only one answer for each question; multiple answers will be scored as incorrect. Since scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly, examinees are advised to answer every question. If a question seems too difficult, examinees are advised to go on to the next one and come back to the skipped question later. Each jurisdiction will provide specific instructions regarding the appropriate marking of answer sheets.
MBE Study Aids
MBE study aids, including the MBE Online Practice Exams (OPE), are available for purchase at the NCBE Online Store. To access an already purchased Online Practice Exam, please log in below.
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A series of retired questions that appeared on MBEs administered between 1972 and 1991 is available by accessing the file MBE Questions 1992. Note: these retired questions are not recommended as a study aid. See caveat inside.
MBE Information Booklet
MBE Score Services
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MBE FAQs
Which subjects are covered on the MBE?
Which jurisdictions administer the MBE?
What are common myths associated with the MBE?
MBE 2012 Test Dates
February 29, 2012
July 25, 2012