It is the defining moment that transforms a law school student into a licensed attorney. But what exactly is this test that keeps law graduates awake at night?
Simply put, the bar exam is a standardized test designed to assess whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a specific jurisdiction. Without it, your Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is an academic achievement, but not a license to practice. State government bodies administer the bar exam to ensure public protection. Consequently, they must ensure that every licensed attorney possesses a minimum competency to think like a lawyer.
To be admitted to the bar in the United States, you will typically need to accomplish three things:
- Graduate from an accredited law school
- Be approved by a state’s board of bar examiners (this may require passing a “character and fitness” investigation)
- Pass accreditation exams, typically including the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) and a bar examination
There are some nuances to these requirements, however. A small number of states allow individuals to take the bar exam upon graduation from a law school approved by a state body but not accredited by the American Bar Association. An even smaller number of states permit an applicant who has not attended law school at all to take the bar exam after studying under a judge.
Components of the Bar Exam
The exact components of the bar exam vary by jurisdiction, depending on whether the jurisdiction/state has adopted the legacy Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) or NextGen UBE (beginning in July 2026). The National Conference of Bar Examiners website maintains an up-to-date list of what jurisdictions have adopted a particular exam.
Most bar exams consistent of three components:
- A multiple-choice question section (the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) for the UBE)
- An essay section (the Multistate Essay Examination for the UBE)
- A performance task section (the Multistate Performance Test for the UBE)
Scoring + Score Portability
The standardized test results in a portable score, meaning you can transfer your results to other UBE jurisdictions within a specific time frame (typically 3–5 years). UBE scoring is based on a 400-point scale with each jurisdiction setting its own minimum-passing score. Minimum-passing scores usually range between 260 and 280.
NextGen UBE scoring is based on a single number on a scale from 500 to 750. Here’s what to know about NextGen UBE scoring and score portability.
In states that have not adopted the UBE, applicants seeking to be admitted into states other than the state in which they initially took the bar exam typically must take that new state’s exam.
However, many states have reciprocity agreements with other states. These bar reciprocity agreements allow attorneys to gain admittance to a new state’s bar without having to take another bar exam. The requirements to gain admittance based on reciprocity vary by state. Typically, the attorney seeking admittance must have practiced law for a particular number of years.
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)
No conversation about the bar exam would be complete without mention of the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. Often called the “ethics exam,” the MPRE is separate from the bar exam itself, but it is also required for admission in all but two U.S. jurisdictions (Wisconsin and Puerto Rico). Plus, the Connecticut and New Jersey Bars accept the completion of a law-school course on professional responsibility in lieu of the MPRE.
- Purpose: Measures knowledge of established standards related to a lawyer's professional conduct
- Format: Two hours for 60 multiple-choice questions
- Timing: Offered three times a year (March, August, November)
The MPRE’s questions are largely based on the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct, but also cover relevant court decisions as well as procedural and evidentiary rules. Most students take the MPRE during their second or third year of law school.
Although the MPRE might seem like a walk in the park compared to other aspects of the bar exam, you don’t want a failed MPRE standing between you and a law license. BARBRI offers a free MPRE prep course that will give you everything you need to succeed on the MPRE.
Why Bar Exam Prep Matters
The bar exam is likely to be the most difficult test of your life. Statistics show that students fail the bar exam every year for three key reasons:
- Underestimating the workload: Passing requires around 400 recommended hours of study.
- Passive studying: Reading outlines isn't enough; practice is the way to active recall.
- Poor time management: Running out of time on the exam is a common mistake.
In order to pass the bar exam, you’ll want to approach it like a full-time job. If you study for the recommended minimum of 10 weeks, that means 40-50 hours per week. Of course, if you have other obligations such as a job or family, you may not be able to dedicate this much time to studying. If you plan to study part-time, you’ll likely want to start studying four to six months before the exam.
Regardless of how much time you’ll dedicate to studying for the bar exam, there are a few study tips that apply to everyone.
Commit to YOUR Study Schedule
This is easy to do with BARBRI Bar Review. Tools like the new half-day calendar customization built into our Personal Study Plan (PSP) give you the ultimate flexibility and personalization to stay on track when life happens or your energy wanes. Our half-day study blocks allow for more realistic bar prep planning compared to full-day study sessions,
Practice, Practice, Practice
You wouldn't run a marathon without training runs. Similarly, as mentioned earlier, you cannot pass the bar without taking full-length practice exams. You need to build the mental endurance to answer intense multiple-choice questions and write essays over the course of several days.
The BARBRI Simulated Exam puts you in the right mindset and gives you the discipline and practice to go the distance. You’ll experience real exam-day conditions and be able to make any needed adjustments before it’s too late.
Find Balance
While getting into a good study routine is essential, so is scheduling some time off. Far too many people make the mistake of spending every waking hour studying and end up burning out well before taking the bar exam.
When to Expect Bar Exam Results
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have to wait anywhere from one to three months to know whether you passed the bar. We encourage you to check out our Bar Exam Digest for your jurisdiction, where we link you to your state bar examiner’s official website. There, you’ll be able to find official details as to when you’ll receive your bar exam results.
The bar exam is waiting. With the right preparation, you will be ready for it. BARBRI is your definitive guide to both the legacy UBE and NextGen UBE.
For comprehensive bar exam information for each U.S. jurisdiction, including the typical bar exam format, subjects tested, bar exam and MPRE scoring, deadlines, fees, reciprocity, and more, download the free BARBRI Bar Exam Digest.
Interested in reading more? Fill out the form to read the full article.