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July 2026 and February 2027 Bar Exam Details

Day 1

  • Six 30-minute Multistate Essay Exam questions (MEE in the AM)

  • Two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test questions (MPT 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).

Effective with the July 2027 exam, North Dakota will administer the NextGen UBE. Find out what the NextGen UBE means for you.

 

Subjects Tested

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)

  • Plus all MBE subjects

While not tested on the MEE, Family Law and Wills & Trusts can be tested during the MPT portion of the bar exam.

MPT

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

Scoring

The MEE and MPT scores are scaled to the MBE.

  • MBE weighted 50%

  • MEE weighted 30%

  • MPT weighted 20%

A total scaled score of 260 or higher is required to pass the North Dakota Bar Exam.

Reciprocity

Acceptance by MBE Score

  • Applicants may be eligible to apply for admission based on an MBE scaled score of at least 150 if taken as a part of and at the same time as the essay or other written bar examination given by another jurisdiction that did not use the UBE on the date of the applicant's examination. Also, having been admitted to the bar of the jurisdiction in which the MBE examination was written. Scores are accepted for up to two years from the original administration. Additional requirements apply.

  • North Dakota does not accept transferred MBE scores from an exam taken in another jurisdiction in order to sit for only the essay portion of the exam.

Admission on Motion

  • A member in good standing of another U.S. state or territory may be admitted on motion in North Dakota if the applicant has engaged in the active practice of law for four of the five years preceding application. Additional requirements apply.

Admission by UBE Score Transfer

  • Applicants who have obtained a scaled score of at least 260 on a Uniform Bar Exam taken in another jurisdiction within the preceding two years may apply for admission based on that score. Additional requirements apply.

NextGen UBE Details

Day 1

  • Three-hour question set  

  • Lunch break  

  • Three-hour question set 

Day 2 — Half Day  

  • Three-hour question set 

Subjects Tested

Foundational Concepts and Principles  

  • 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. 

Foundational Lawyering Skills  

  • Legal Research  

  • Legal Writing  

  • Issue Spotting and Analysis  

  • Investigation and Evaluation  

  • Client Counseling and Advising  

  • Negotiation and Dispute Resolution  

  • Client Relationship and Management 

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.  

Reciprocity

  • Please refer to your stateʼs bar examiner for more information.

State-Specific Licensure & Additional Information

MPRE

  • A scaled score of 85 is required for admission to the bar. Passing score must be achieved no more than five years prior to or two years after receipt of application for admission. 

Click here to learn more about the MPRE.

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.

Download the 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.

Pie chart of the three phases of the UBE Course Schedule

Foundations 15%

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

Deep Dive 65%

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

Final Review 20%

  • Crunch time with Mini Review lectures, the Conviser Mini Review book and multiple choice and essay practice

Subject Sequence

  • Civil Procedure 

  • Torts

  • Criminal Law 

  • Criminal Procedure 

  • Performance Test

  • Evidence

  • Constitutional Law 

  • Contracts

  • Real Property

  • Family Law

  • Trusts & Estates 

  • Agency

  • Partnership

  • Corporations

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