Rhode Island Bar Exam (UBE) details

A typical Rhode Island Bar Exam is a 2-day Uniform Bar Exam (UBE)

Rhode Island Bar Exam information is subject to change without notice. Please verify with the Supreme Court of Rhode Island.

Please also reference the NCBE Covid-19 updates page for NCBE updates and individual jurisdiction announcements.

Day 1

  • Two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test questions (MPT in the AM)
  • Six 30-minute Multistate Essay Exam questions (MEE in the PM)

Day 2

  • Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), a 200-question, multiple-choice exam (100 questions in the AM, 100 questions in the PM)

MBE

  • Constitutional Law
  • Contracts/Sales
  • Criminal Law/Procedure
  • Evidence
  • Federal Civil Procedure
  • Real Property
  • Torts

MEE

  • Business Associations (Agency and Partnership; Corporations; and Limited Liability Companies)
  • Conflict of Laws
  • Family Law
  • Trusts and Estates (Decedents' Estates; Trusts and Future Interests)
  • Article 9 (Secured Transactions) of the Uniform Commercial Code
  • Plus all MBE subjects

MPT

  • “Closed universe” practical questions using instructions, factual data, cases, statutes and other reference material supplied by examiners.

MPRE

  • A scaled score of 80 on the MPRE is required for admission within five years prior to applying for admission.

Click here to learn more about the MPRE

The MEE and MPT scores are scaled to the MBE.

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

A total scaled score of 270 or higher is required to pass the Rhode Island Bar Exam. 

Acceptance of MBE Score

Rhode Island does not accept an MBE score from an exam taken in another jurisdiction.

Admission on Motion

Rhode Island does not provide for admission on motion. Attorneys who have engaged in the active practice of law for five of the preceding ten years, and satisfy all other requirements, may apply for admission on examination under Article II, Rule 2(a), and will only be required to sit for the essay portion of the exam. A passing scaled score of 138 or higher on the essay portion is required for admission.

Admission by UBE Score Transfer

Applicants who have obtained a passing score on a Uniform Bar Exam taken in another jurisdiction within the preceding two years may apply for admission based on that score. The passing score required is 276 for exams taken prior to February 2021, and 270 for exams taken February 2021 or later. Additional requirements apply.

We compile all of the information that you need to know about the dates, format, subjects tested, deadlines, fees and more - for each U.S. state - in the free BARBRI Bar Exam Digest.

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Find the BARBRI bar prep course that’s built for you

Traditional Bar Review

Full-time course | 8-10 week

Study for any U.S. state exam, including the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE)
Best for:

Candidates with a J.D. from a U.S. law school looking for the quickest, most efficient & effective course to pass any U.S. state bar exam

Extended Bar Prep

Part-time course | 6- or 10-month 

Study for a UBE state, including New York or California
Best for:

Best for candidates without a J.D. from a U.S. law school looking for the most comprehensive bar prep or students who want more study time & flexibility

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