Massachusetts Bar Exam (UBE) details

Day 1

• Two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test questions (MPT in the AM)
• Six 30-minute Multistate Essay Exam questions (MEE 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)

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)
• Conflict of Laws
• Family Law
• Trusts and Estates (Decedents' Estates; Trusts and Future Interests)
• Article 9 (Secured Transactions) of the Uniform Commercial Code
• Plus all MBE subjects

MPT

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

MPRE

• A scaled score of 85 on the MPRE is required for admission and must be achieved prior to the bar application.

Click here to learn more about the MPRE.

The MEE and MPT scores are scaled to the MBE.

• MBE weighted 50%
• MEE weighted 30%
• MPT weighted 20%

A total scaled score of 270 or higher is required to pass the Massachusetts Bar Exam.

Acceptance of MBE Score

Massachusetts does not accept an MBE score from an exam taken in another jurisdiction.

Admission on Motion

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

Admission by UBE Score Transfer

Applicants who have obtained a scaled score of at least 270 on a Uniform Bar Exam taken in another jurisdiction within the preceding three years may apply for admission based on that score. Additional requirements apply.

Massachusetts Law Component (MLC)

Every person filing a Petition for Admission to the Massachusetts Bar Exam is required to pass the Massachusetts Law Component (MLC) as a condition for admission.

The MLC is a 50-question multiple-choice exam on key distinctions and essential highlights of Massachusetts law and procedure. The exam questions are based on substantive outlines provided by the Board of Bar Examiners covering ten topic areas.

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 ›