As you make your way through your bar exam checklist, one key to-do will surely be the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). To help you prepare, both mentally and academically, we’ve compiled a few of the most frequently asked questions and tips on how to study for the MPRE. Whether you have questions about what’s tested on the MPRE or how much time to devote to your studies, we have you covered.
What is the MPRE?
The MPRE is one of the requirements for bar admission in every U.S. state and jurisdiction except Wisconsin and Puerto Rico. Note that if you reside in Connecticut or New Jersey, you can successfully complete a Professional Responsibility law school course in lieu of a passing MPRE score. If you have questions on state-specific requirements, be sure to check out the BARBRI Bar Exam Digest, which compiles all the information you need for each U.S. state.
The MPRE is a 60-question, multiple-choice exam developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). The 2-hour exam is administered online three times per year by the NCBE’s test contractor, Pearson VUE.
Learn more about the MPRE and what you’ll be tested on in this short video:
How much study time should I devote to the MPRE?
We’re often asked about how much study time is really needed for the MPRE. Some students have heard that it’s an “easy” test, while others have said the test was much harder than they were expecting.
Every student is different in their learning needs. However, a good benchmark is to devote three weeks or 25-30 hours of study time. Most students find that 25-30 hours is sufficient for full preparation with lectures, outlines, practice questions and four full practice exams with analysis. Of course, we’ll always encourage that if you have more time to devote to your studies, use it! The good news is that BARBRI offers a free MPRE Review course that has everything you need to prepare.
When to begin your studies will depend on your personal schedule and how much time you can dedicate each day to studying. Your learning preferences, such as wanting a longer learning curve, are also important. If you know leading up to the MPRE that you won’t be able to dedicate about 8-10 hours per week for studying, you may want to start earlier than the mentioned three weeks prior (think four or five weeks or more depending on your schedule).
Whatever you determine, rest assured that the BARBRI MPRE Review course is designed to be flexible and work within your schedule. It’s best to plan ahead, make a specific schedule and stick with it. When in doubt, start your studies earlier; you can always slow down, add breaks or get in the extra review later.
How should I study for the MPRE?
The BARBRI MPRE Review provides 12 substantive modules, four practice exams, the MPRE Maximizer (“cram packet”) and optional extra practice questions for the most comprehensive prep.
Substantive modules
The substantive modules are generally between 60 to 90 minutes. (Note that the first module is a bit longer than the others, so plan accordingly.) Each module includes one to two lectures on varying topics that are normally up to 30 minutes in length, an outline review and practice questions to help you hone your learning.
Practice exams
The practice exams each contain 60 questions (as does the real exam). We strongly recommend that you limit yourself to two hours per exam, so you’ll be prepared for the time constraints on the actual test day. After your exams, you’ll want to spend time reviewing the answers and explanations. Remember, it’s always good to not only review the questions you got wrong, but also the questions you got correct to further your learning and retention. It’s also a good strategy to jot down topics or areas in which you are struggling as you review your exams. You can then refine your knowledge in these topics.
MPRE Maximizer
The MPRE Maximizer is an optional quick-study guide that helps you understand and retain the MPRE concepts. Use this handy tool throughout your course or as a last-minute refresher as you head into the final days of study.
Extra practice questions
The extra practice questions provided are a great resource if you want additional practice.
If you find that you have additional time before the exam and want more resources, you can also check out a short selection of practice questions offered by the NCBE.
Get a walkthrough of how to use the BARBRI MPRE Review:
What’s the best advice for the MPRE?
Create a study plan, start studying a little earlier than you think you need to, and commit to your studies. You never know what can come up, so give yourself buffer room to adjust as life comes at you. That way you can feel fully prepared and confident going into the exam.
Know what to expect on the actual exam day. Watch this quick clip to learn more:
Learn about what’s tested on the MPRE, exam day protocols and more. Good luck with your MPRE!