Pennsylvania Bar Exam
(UBE) Details

All law students are required to create an NCBE Account that comes with a unique NCBE Number for identification purposes. You will need this number to be able to take the MPRE (see below) and the MBE (Multistate Bar Exam), which are developed by the NCBE (National Conference of Bar Examiners). The MBE is administered on day two of the Pennsylvania bar exam.

Most students create an NCBE account when registering for the MPRE. Register with the NCBE at: ncbex.org/exams/mbe/registration

You will then need to create an account with the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners (BOLE). Register and submit your application at: pabarapplication.org

The Pennsylvania BOLE provides a helpful guide to walk you through the online application, as well as a checklist for the supplemental documentation you will need to submit after you apply for the bar exam. See the sample bar exam checklist at: pabarexam.org/online_file_info/checklist.htm

We recommend taking the MPRE any time during 2L year or as early in your 3L year as possible. A scaled score of 75 on the MPRE  is required for admission to the Pennsylvania bar. Applicants must provide verification of their MPRE score for admission to the bar  of Pennsylvania.

The MPRE is a two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice exam developed by the NCBE and administered in the spring, summer, and fall. When registering for the MPRE, students can select one of two dates offered at a time (see chart below) on a first come, first served basis.

MPRE Dates (Registration Deadline / *Accommodation Registration Deadline):

• March 24 or 25, 2026 (January 22, 2025 / *November 20, 2025)
• August 11 or 12, 2026 (June 11, 2026 / *April 23, 2026)
• November 12 or 13, 2026 (September 17, 2026 / *July 30, 2026)

Registration for 2026 exams will open on December 16, 2025. The 2026 exam fee is $185.

The online, on-demand BARBRI MPRE Review course allows you to watch specific lecture segments that correspond with a particular topic module. The course is accompanied by an outline book (hard copy and/or digital), lecture handout, multiple practice exams, and BARBRI’s exclusive multiple-choice questions. You can register for the free BARBRI MPRE Review Course here: barbri.com/mpre

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Enroll early and gain immediate access to 2L/3L Exam Success and early access to Early Start Bar Review. Enroll at: barbri.com/pricing.

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To take the Pennsylvania Bar Exam, you’ll need to complete your application online and pay your filing fee. Meeting earlier deadlines will help you save – the application filing fee goes up sharply the longer you wait.

Filing fees and deadlines: 

February (Winter) Exam Fees* / Due Date
Timely fee: $650 / Oct 30
First late fee: $800 / Nov 15
Second late fee: $1,100 / Nov 30
Final late fee: $1,500 / Dec 15

July (Summer) Exam Fees* / Due Date
Timely fee: $650 / April 15
First late fee: $800 / April 30
Second late fee: $1,100 / May 15
Final late fee: $1,500 / May 30

* Fingerprint & laptop fees additional 

Make sure to budget for the cost of an MBE score transfer and Computer Based Testing (CBT), which allows you to use a laptop to answer essay questions.  

Be sure to print and save copies of the sample bar exam checklist and application when available. You’ll use them as guides in gathering any supplemental documentation, which is needed later for when your character and fitness investigation begins.

For steps on how to complete an online application, go here: pabarexam.org/online_file_info/online_info.htm

For more information and exam details, download the free BARBRI Bar Exam Digest at: www.barbri.com/bar-exam-digest

The Multistate Essay Exam questions and Multistate Performance Tests on the Pennsylvania Bar Exam are delivered in booklet format (not electronic); however, you have the option to use a laptop to type out your answers for these written components. This method of test-taking is known as Computer Based Testing (CBT).

Indicate on your bar exam application that you wish to use CBT. The $115 laptop fee ($165 if late) will be added to your total application cost.

Look for a Pennsylvania BOLE email regarding how to download and register the Examplify (Exam360) software. Follow these instructions to complete the process. Students should anticipate having to make time to complete these mock exams (the first  is usually due about a month before the exam, the second is usually due about a week before the exam). Do not ignore mock  exam submission deadlines - submitting both mock exams are required to use your laptop on exam day. For more details,  please visit: pabarexam.org/bemenuitems.htm

Pennsylvania uses the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and requires a passing score of 270 out of a total of 400 points. Some UBE jurisdictions require applicants to complete a separate state law-specific component, usually in the form of a separate exam or course. Pennsylvania currently does not include a state-specific component as part of the licensure process.

UBE scores are based on:

• 20% – Two Multistate Performance Test (MPT) questions on day one (morning session)  
• 30% – Six Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) questions on day one (afternoon session)  
• 50% – 200-question, multiple-choice Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) on day two (morning and afternoon sessions)

MPT format: “Closed universe” practical question using instructions, factual data, cases, statutes, and other reference material supplied by examiners

MEE essay subjects: 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

*Effective with the July 2026 bar exam, the following subjects will no longer be tested on the MEE: Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts and Estates, and Secured Transactions.

MBE subjects tested: Constitutional Law, Contracts/Sales, Criminal Law/Procedure, Evidence, Federal Civil Procedure, Real Property, Torts. Please note: Pennsylvania does not accept an MBE score from an exam taken in another jurisdiction.

Helpful tip: Remember to bring an extension cord in case your laptop charger does not reach the provided outlet.

As part of the bar exam online application process, you’ll provide background information that helps the Pennsylvania BOLE conduct a character and fitness investigation.

Pennsylvania requires five years of information on where you’ve worked and where you’ve lived, and will ask for it in reverse chronological order. You will be asked to disclose details about your personal, academic, work and financial histories, as well as criminal record and civil proceedings. Candor is key. You will also need to include information such as income tax returns, military service, driving records and citizenship. And as part of the character and fitness review, all applicants must submit fingerprints for the purpose of the Board verifying the identity of the applicant and obtaining a current record of any criminal history.

After you’ve passed the bar exam, the board will make a determination on your character and fitness. The review process can take a few weeks up to more than a year depending on the nature of the investigation.

Find a list of character and fitness questions and instructions to help prepare for the online process at: pabarexam.org/c_and_f/oba/default.htm

A notarized A&R provides character and fitness analysts the authority to perform a full background check on you. If you are directed by your character and fitness investigator to submit this document, you can do so after completing your online application. You’ll print the form and sign it in the presence of a notary.  

Here’s a sample A&R form with instructions: http://pabarexam.org/online_file_info/arinfo.htm