MPRE FAQs

Which jurisdictions require the MPRE?

Who do I contact with questions about the MPRE?

Registration and Administration

Law School Admission Council
Phone: 215-504-3886*
Fax: 215-968-1277
E-mail: MPREinfo@lsac.org

*Telephone staff assist hearing-impaired registrants via relay calls.

MPRE Score Services**

National Conference of Bar Examiners
Phone: 608-280-8550
E-mail: score.services@ncbex.org
Website: www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mpre/mpre-score-services/

**Be prepared to provide examinee name, NCBE Number, birth date, and test date.

Testing Accommodations Inquiries

National Conference of Bar Examiners
Phone: 608-316-3070
Fax: 608-316-3119
TDD: 608-661-1275 (must call from a TDD)
E-mail: mpre.ada@ncbex.org
Website: www.ncbex.org/mpre-ada

What subjects are covered on the MPRE?

Subject Matter Outlines, an excerpt from the 2013 MPRE Information Booklet

How is the MPRE developed?

The MPRE is developed by a drafting committee composed of recognized experts in the area of professional responsibility. Before a test question is selected for inclusion in the MPRE, it undergoes a multistage review process that occurs over the course of several years. Besides intensive review by the drafting committee and testing specialists, each test question is reviewed by other experts. All test questions must successfully pass all reviews before they are included in the MPRE. After an MPRE is administered, the statistical performance of each test question is reviewed and evaluated by content and testing experts before the questions are included in the computation of examinees' scores. This final statistical review is conducted to ensure that each test question is accurate and psychometrically sound.

How is the MPRE scored?

The MPRE scaled score is a standard score. Standard scaled scores range from 50 (low) to 150 (high). The mean (average) scaled score was established at 100, based upon the performance of the examinees who took the MPRE in March 1999.

The conversion of raw scores to scaled scores involves a statistical process that adjusts for variations in the difficulty of different forms of the examination so that any particular scaled score will represent the same level of knowledge from test to test. For instance, if a test is more difficult than previous tests, then the scaled scores on that test will be adjusted upward to account for this difference. If a test is easier than previous tests, then the scaled scores on the test will be adjusted downward to account for this difference. The purpose of these adjustments is to help ensure that no examinee is unfairly penalized or rewarded for taking a more or less difficult form of the test.

What key words or phrases are included in MPRE questions?

Each question contained in the MPRE may include, among others, one of the following words or phrases:

1. "Subject to discipline" asks whether the conduct described in the question would subject the lawyer to discipline under the provisions of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. In the case of a judge, the test question asks whether the judge would be subject to discipline under the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct.
2. "May" or "proper" asks whether the conduct referred to or described in the question is professionally appropriate in that it
   a. would not subject the lawyer or judge to discipline; and
   b. is not inconsistent with the preamble, comments, or text of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct or the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct; and
   c. is not inconsistent with generally accepted principles of the law of lawyering.
3. "Subject to litigation sanction" asks whether the conduct described in the question would subject the lawyer or the lawyer’s law firm to sanction by a tribunal such as fine, fee forfeiture, disqualification, punishment for contempt, or other sanction.
4. "Subject to disqualification" asks whether the conduct described in the question would subject the lawyer or the lawyer’s law firm to disqualification as counsel in a civil or criminal matter.
5. "Subject to civil liability" asks whether the conduct described in the question would subject the lawyer or the lawyer’s law firm to civil liability, such as claims arising from malpractice, misrepresentation, or breach of fiduciary duty.
6. "Subject to criminal liability" asks whether the conduct described in the question would subject the lawyer to criminal liability for participation in or for aiding and abetting criminal acts, such as prosecution for insurance or tax fraud, destruction of evidence, or obstruction of justice.
7. When a question refers to discipline by the "bar," "state bar," or "state disciplinary authority," it refers to the appropriate agency in the jurisdiction with authority to administer the standards for admission to practice and for maintenance of professional competence and integrity. Whenever a lawyer is identified as a "certified specialist," that lawyer has been so certified by the appropriate agency in the jurisdiction in which the lawyer practices. The phrases "informed consent" and "consent after consultation" have the same meaning.

What happens if I am unable to test on the date for which I am registered?

If an applicant is unable to take the examination on the scheduled test date and wishes to reschedule, or does not attain a passing score on the MPRE and wishes to retake the exam, the applicant must complete the registration process for another scheduled examination and pay the full prescribed fee.