West Virginia Bar Exam (UBE) Details
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, West Virginia will administer the NextGen UBE. Find out what the NextGen UBE means for you.
Subjects Tested
-
Constitutional Law
-
Contracts/Sales
-
Criminal Law/Procedure
-
Evidence
-
Federal Civil Procedure
-
Real Property
-
Torts
-
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.
-
“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 270 or higher is required to pass the West Virginia Bar Exam.
Reciprocity
-
Applicants may transfer any MBE scaled score achieved in another jurisdiction if taken within 13 months of the current exam. Provided the applicant successfully completed the entire bar examination in the other jurisdiction.
-
Applicants may be admitted without an exam from jurisdictions with admission standards substantially equivalent to those of West Virginia. Applicant must have engaged in the active practice of law for five of the seven years immediately preceding application. Additional requirements apply.
-
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.
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
-
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.
-
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
-
A passing scaled score of 80 is required on the MPRE within 25 months of successful completion of bar examination.
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.
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.
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
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
-
Crunch time with Mini Review lectures, the Conviser Mini Review book and multiple choice and essay practice
-
Civil Procedure
-
Torts
-
Criminal Law
-
Criminal Procedure
-
Performance Test
-
Evidence
-
Constitutional Law
-
Contracts
-
Real Property
-
Family Law
-
Trusts & Estates
-
Agency
-
Partnership
-
Corporations