What is the Multistate Bar Examination? The Ultimate Guide to the MBE 

 The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is a six-hour, 200-question, multiple-choice examination developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). In jurisdictions that administer the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), the MBE counts for 50% of an examinee’s total score. (The Multistate Essay Examination counts for 30%, and the Multistate Performance Test counts for the remaining 20%.) 

The MBE is intended to assess the extent to which an examinee can apply fundamental legal principles and legal reasoning to analyze given fact patterns. 
 
The MBE is divided into morning and afternoon testing sessions of three hours each, with 100 questions in each session. There are no scheduled breaks during either the morning or afternoon session, though test takers typically may be excused from the exam room during the test. Be sure to check on this with your jurisdiction, as the rules regarding leaving the exam room may vary.

 MBE States and Jurisdictions 

The MBE is administered in 49 out of 50 states as well as a handful of other jurisdictions. Louisiana and Puerto Rico are the only United States jurisdictions that do not administer the MBE. 

The states and jurisdictions that administer the MBE are: 

MBE Subjects 

Of the 200 questions on the MBE, 175 questions are scored. The remaining unscored 25 questions are used by the NCBE to test potential future MBE questions. The scored questions are distributed evenly, with 25 questions from each of the seven MBE subject areas: 

• Civil Procedure 
• Constitutional Law 
• Contracts 
• Criminal Law and Procedure 
• Evidence 
• Real Property 
• Torts 

The NCBE offers an MBE Subject Matter Outline with details for each tested area. 

Preparing for the MBE 

The MBE is an exam that requires preparation. Below are some of the most important things to keep in mind as you begin to prepare for the MBE. 
 

How Hard is the MBE? 

Many bar examinees consider the MBE to be the “easy” part of the bar exam. After spending a day writing essays, filling in circles seems like a breeze. But don’t be fooled!  

Although the physical requirements of the MBE may not be as demanding as those of the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) (or other, jurisdiction-specific essay components), the MBE might be the most mentally draining component of the bar exam. Every answer choice on every MBE question is designed to make you consider the relevant rules, exceptions, and exceptions to the exceptions. When taking the MBE, you have to think through every nuance of a question, and you have to do it 200 times.   

When Do I Need to Start Studying for the MBE? 

It’s generally recommended that you start studying at least nine weeks before the bar exam. If you’re graduating in May and sitting for the July bar exam, you should take about a week off post-graduation to unwind from the semester and then get right into studying. If you’re not able to study full time, you’ll likely need to start studying even sooner — likely before graduation. 

MBE Study Tips

Memorize the Law  

The MBE is a test of memorization. You need to put in the time necessary to drill specific definitions into your memory. BARBRI’s AdaptiBar bar prep supplements and Simulated MBE are excellent ways to make sure you’re learning, and remembering, what you need for the MBE. 

Practice, Practice, Practice  

The MBE will test your endurance almost as much as it tests your legal knowledge. Working through 200 MBE questions is no joke. That’s why it’s important that during your bar-exam prep you take full-length practice MBEs. Just like an athlete, you need to build up your endurance and prepare yourself physically and mentally for the task you’ll be performing. 

Print Out a Copy of the NCBE’s MBE Subject Matter Outline 

This outline lists every possible subject that might be tested on the MBE. Use it throughout your bar-prep course — when you feel comfortable with an area of law, check it off on the outline. BARBRI 2L/3L Exam Success outlines make an outstanding tool for filling in any holes in your knowledge. 

Build Stamina Over Time 

Each question on the MBE is followed by four possible answer options. Each answer choice is potentially a trap, and you should not expect to be able to immediately rule out answer choices. Passing the MBE requires both broad knowledge of the relevant legal rules and the stamina to maintain critical thinking over six hours of testing. 

Delete Social Media Apps from Your Phone 

This may seem like a drastic measure, but the bar exam is the most important test of your life. And you don’t want to have to take it twice. For the few months that you’re studying for the bar exam, you want to minimize all possible distractions. 

Take Breaks 

Generally, you should try to take a break at least every hour while studying to avoid getting burned out. Keep most of your breaks short — only a minute or two — to give your brain the break you need without getting off track. 

MBE Scores 

The MBE is scored on a scaled ranking from about 40 to 200. MBE scaled scores are calculated based on a process known as equating, in which MBE raw scores on the current examination are adjusted to account for differences in difficulty as compared with past examinations.  

Your MBE score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly, and points are not subtracted for incorrect answers. So, it’s in your best interest to answer every question on the MBE, even if you’re guessing. 

The vast majority of jurisdictions do not establish a minimum MBE score. Instead, the MBE is factored into examinees’ overall bar-exam score. As long as your combined score on all exam components meets the minimum threshold to pass the bar exam in your jurisdiction, you will pass, regardless of your stand-alone MBE score. Check out the free BARBRI Bar Exam Digest for jurisdiction-specific information regarding minimum MBE score requirements. 

For statistics regarding MBE scores, visit the NCBE website.

Pass the Bar Exam with BARBRI Bar Review 

BARBRI Bar Review is a proven, comprehensive program built to give you every advantage on exam day. From mastering the MBE to strengthening your confidence, we guide you step-by-step through the bar exam journey, so you can walk into the exam fully prepared.