Taking the ND Bar after failing in another state — how different is it really
Failed the California bar twice before moving to North Dakota for family reasons. I know the ND bar is generally considered less competitive and has a higher pass rate, but I'm trying to not let that make me complacent. The MBE is the same everywhere — that's where I struggled most in CA, specifically the evidence and contracts questions.
What I'm unclear on is how much the ND-specific essay components will require me to basically relearn state law, and whether the nd bar multistate bar practice material translates directly or if North Dakota has enough idiosyncratic rules that I need a state-specific resource.
Sitting in July. Have about 14 weeks. Planning to use an MBE course for the multistate portion and find ND-specific materials for the essays. Does that approach sound right to people who've been through it?
Your approach is right. MBE prep is MBE prep regardless of state. For ND essays, the North Dakota bar examiners publish past essay questions — that's probably your most valuable state-specific resource. The examiners are also approachable if you email asking about what subjects tend to be tested.
ND has some civil procedure nuances and a strong community property influence in family law questions that's worth knowing. If you bombed CA on evidence and contracts, double down on those MBE subjects first — ND essays don't fully compensate for a weak MBE score.
Higher pass rate doesn't mean easier if you're already a strong test-taker who just didn't crack CA. The ND rate is higher partly because the applicant pool is smaller and more local. Still requires real prep.
14 weeks is enough. When I prepped I split it roughly: 60% MBE focused, 30% ND essay subjects (property, domestic, civ pro were all tested when I sat), 10% MPT. That ratio worked for me.
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