Washington Bar Exam
(UBE) Details
Bar Exam Details
A typical Washington Exam is a day-and-a-half NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (UBE).
Day 1
- Three-hour question set
- Lunch break
- Three-hour question set
Day 2 - Half Day
- Three-hour question set
Subjects Tested
- Civil Procedure
- Contract Law
- Evidence
- Torts
- Business Associations
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Real Property
- Family Law: From July 2026 to February 2028, family law concepts will be featured in every NextGen exam as part of a performance task and may also appear in integrated question sets. During this transition period, these concepts will be assessed alongside provided legal resources. Beginning in July 2028, family law will be incorporated into the foundational concepts and principles examined in the NextGen UBE. At that point, it will be tested in the same manner as other core legal principles.
- Trusts and Estates: Starting in July 2026 and continuing through at least February 2028, trusts and estates topics will be featured on every NextGen exam. These concepts will be assessed within performance tasks and may also appear in integrated question sets. During this time, legal resources will be provided for all trusts and estates-related questions.
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Issue Spotting and Analysis
- Investigation and Evaluation
- Client Counseling and Advising
- Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
- Client Relationship and Management
- A passing score of 85 on the MPRE must be acquired no earlier than three years prior to, and no later than 40 months after, the date of the administration of the UBE in which the applicant achieves a passing score.
Click here to learn more about the MPRE.
Scoring
Standalone multiple-choice questions make up 49%, integrated question sets make up 21%, and performance tasks make up 30% of the overall exam score.
Official NextGen UBE scores will be reported as a single number on a scale from 500 to 750. Each jurisdiction will establish its own passing score in this range. Washington will require a total scaled score of 610 or higher to pass.
Reciprocity
- Washington does not accept an MBE score from an exam taken in another jurisdiction.
- A member in good standing of another U.S. state or territory may be admitted on motion in Washington if the applicant has engaged in the active practice of law for three of the five years preceding application. Additional requirements apply.
- Official NextGen UBE scores are designed to be portable to other jurisdictions. In most jurisdictions, qualifying scores from both the legacy UBE and the NextGen UBE will be accepted for transfer.
- Applicants who have obtained a scaled score of at least 260 on a Uniform Bar Exam taken in another jurisdiction within the preceding 40 months may apply for admission based on that score. Additional requirements apply.
Additional Information
- All applicants for admission as a lawyer must pass the Washington Law Component (WLC); the minimum passing score is 80% correct. The WLC is comprised of online materials and an online multiple-choice test based on areas or subjects of law that are specific to Washington State.
- The Board of Bar Examiners is responsible for the content of the WLC and shall publish the Washington state-specific materials for applicants.
BARBRI Bar Exam Digest
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.
Sample Schedule: Uniform Bar Exam Course Information
BARBRI Bar Review uses best-in-class learning design to help you master complex material quickly and improve retention for test day. Your course is tailored to your unique needs, and broken into three phases: Foundations, Deep Dive, and Final Review.
This overview does not list all assignments that will be available in your Personal Study Plan (PSP). Your PSP adjusts to your strengths, weaknesses, and schedule, offering a customizable calendar with recommended assignments to boost your chances of passing.
PSP access for Premium and Elite courses begins in mid-March for July exams and mid-October for February exams. Though your calendar is customizable, BARBRI’s default schedule begins at the same time Essentials courses open: Mid-May and Mid-December, respectively.
Covers multistate subjects
- “About” videos
- These short videos explain efficient and effective ways to navigate the exam and the course
- Short story-driven episodes on core concepts across each mbe subject.
- Skills workshops
- Knowledge checks and warm-up essays
Covers multistate and essay subjects
- Short-format lecture modules
- Taught by expert professors.
- Reading, practice, assessment and reinforcement through review
- Knowledge checks and practice essays additional essay and performance
- Test writing skills instruction
- Simulated Multistate Bar Exam
- Simulated Written Exam
- Crunch time with Mini Review lectures, the Conviser Mini Review book and multiple choice and essay practice
- Civil Procedure
- Torts
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Evidence
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Real Property
- Performance Test
- Wills
- Trusts
- Agency
- Partnership
- Corporations
- Secured Transactions
- Conflict of Laws
- Family Law