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July 2026 and February 2027 Bar Exam Details

Day 1

  • Five 30-minute Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) questions

  • One 30-minute Indian Law Essay Exam question (MEE/ILEE 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, South 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 Subjects

  • 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.

Indian Law

  • Basic principles of Federal Indian Law, including but not limited to Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction, the Indian Civil Rights Act, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Tribal laws or customary laws are not tested.

Multistate Performance Test

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

Scoring

Applicants must pass each portion of the examination. An average of 75% or higher on the combined MPT, MEE, and Indian Law portion is required; and a scaled score of at least 133 on the MBE portion is required.

An applicant may receive additional points on their MBE score, not to exceed three additional points, based on their score on the combined MPT, MEE and Indian Law portion of the examination as follows:

  • 80 to 84 percent – one point

  • 85 to 89 percent – two points

  • 90 percent or more – three points

These additional points may not be transferred to a future exam.

An applicant who has failed only one portion of the exam may reapply to sit for only the failed portion. However, a passing score on one portion of the exam is only valid for two years.

Reciprocity

Acceptance by MBE Score

  • Applicants may transfer an MBE scaled score of at least 135 achieved in another jurisdiction if taken within two years prior to the next scheduled exam, provided the applicant passed the entire bar examination in the other jurisdiction.

Admission on Motion

  • A member in good standing of a reciprocating jurisdiction may be admitted on motion in South Dakota if the applicant has engaged in the active practice of law for three of the five years preceding application. 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. A previous MPRE score is accepted if within 28 months prior to next scheduled exam.

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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