Candidates seeking admission to the bar in Massachusetts take the Massachusetts Bar Exam. This page provides free practice questions across core examination subjects, including MA Bar Civil Procedure and MA Bar Contracts. You can review worked answers, check the 270 total scaled score standard, and reference verified filing requirements from the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners.

MA Bar Exam at a Glance

What changed for MA Bar in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Retake policy changed to No deferral; withdrawal or no-show requires a new petition and fees (previously Petitions cannot be deferred; a no-show must refile and pay again).^[2]
• Oct 25, 2026: Score release changed to April (February exam); October (July exam) (previously Late April (February exam); late October (July exam)).^[4]
• Oct 25, 2026: Delivery changed to In person (Boston), paper booklets; essays typed or handwritten (previously In person (Boston and Springfield), paper booklets, essays typed or handwritten).^[4]

What the MA Bar is and how it works

According to Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners, “Two three-hour test sessions to respond to 200 multiple-choice questions”^[1]

The Massachusetts Bar Exam evaluates applicants seeking legal licensing in Massachusetts. Administration occurs in person in Boston using hard-copy paper booklets for test questions. Examinees have the option to type or handwrite responses to the written portions. The test includes 200 MBE questions, 6 MEE essays, and 2 MPT items.

To qualify for admission, petitioners must submit a law school certificate, complete the MLC, and obtain an MPRE scaled score of 85 or higher. Passing requires a total scaled score of 270 or greater. Massachusetts also accepts a transferred UBE score of 270 or higher earned within 36 months in an eligible jurisdiction. Score release occurs in April for the February exam and in October for the July exam.

Initial filing costs include an $815 court filing fee, a $75 technology fee, and a $22 e-filing fee. For the February 2027 examination, registration opens Nov 2, 2026, and closes Dec 11, 2026. The February 2027 exam takes place Feb 23-24, 2027, and the July 2027 exam takes place Jul 27-28, 2027. Retake candidates pay the same $815 court filing fee, $75 technology fee, and $22 e-filing fee. Deferrals are not permitted; withdrawal or failing to appear requires submitting a new petition and paying new fees. Specific filing rules can vary by individual petitioner background, so consult the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners for official guidance.

Worked examples: how to reason through MA Bar questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: Under the Massachusetts Homestead Act (M.G.L. c. 188), a declared homestead protects a primary residence from creditors up to:

1. $125,000
2. $250,000
3. $500,000
4. An unlimited amount

Answer: C. $500,000

Explanation:

Option C is correct because filing a written declaration under M.G.L. c. 188 secures protection for an owner's primary residence up to $500,000 against execution and forced sale by most creditors. Option A is incorrect because $125,000 represents the automatic statutory protection provided to homeowners who have not recorded an explicit declaration. Option B is incorrect because $250,000 does not reflect any statutory threshold under the act. Option D is incorrect because Massachusetts homestead statutes do not provide an unlimited exemption amount. The general rule to remember is that recording a formal declaration expands residential equity protection from the automatic baseline of $125,000 up to the statutory cap of $500,000.

Example 2

Question: Under strict liability for abnormally dangerous activities, which factor is NOT relevant?

1. Whether the activity is common usage in the community
2. Whether there is a high risk of serious harm
3. Whether the defendant exercised due care
4. Whether the risk cannot be eliminated with reasonable care

Answer: C. Whether the defendant exercised due care

Explanation:

Option C is correct because strict liability applies regardless of fault, making the defendant's exercise of reasonable precautions or due care legally irrelevant. Option A is incorrect because whether the activity is not of common usage in the locality is an established factor evaluated by courts. Option B is incorrect because the existence of a high degree of risk of serious harm is an explicit consideration in determining whether an activity is abnormally dangerous. Option D is incorrect because the inability to eliminate the danger by exercising reasonable care is a central factor supporting strict liability rather than ordinary negligence. The general rule to remember is that strict liability focuses on the inherent nature of the abnormally dangerous hazard, imposing responsibility even when the actor exercises utmost care.

Example 3

Question: Under FRE 404(b), evidence of prior bad acts may be admissible for purposes such as:

1. Showing the defendant's propensity to commit crimes
2. Proving motive, opportunity, intent, knowledge, or identity
3. Impeaching the credibility of any witness
4. Proving the defendant's character generally

Answer: B. Proving motive, opportunity, intent, knowledge, or identity

Explanation:

Option B is correct because FRE 404(b) permits prior bad acts or crimes for non-character purposes, including showing motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or lack of accident. Option A is incorrect because FRE 404(b) strictly prohibits using uncharged misconduct to demonstrate criminal propensity or action in conformity therewith. Option C is incorrect because general witness credibility impeachment is governed by other evidentiary provisions rather than FRE 404(b). Option D is incorrect because evidence of prior wrongs cannot be offered to prove general character traits to suggest conduct in accordance with that character. The general rule to remember is that under FRE 404(b), prior bad acts are excluded when offered to prove character propensity, but remain admissible for specific non-propensity purposes.

How to use these practice tests

Begin your preparation by establishing familiarity with multiple-choice questions across core subjects. Work through dedicated practice sets for MA Bar Contracts, MA Bar Torts, MA Bar Civil Procedure, and MA Bar Evidence. Focus on reading fact patterns closely and analyzing why incorrect choices fail under legal doctrine.

Next, integrate practice for the written components. Practice drafting answers for the 6 MEE essays and the 2 MPT items under timed conditions. Because Massachusetts provides questions in hard-copy paper booklets while giving examinees the option to type or handwrite written responses, rehearse working from printed materials while typing or handwriting your arguments.

Review additional subjects including MA Bar Property, MA Bar Criminal Law, MA Bar Business Associations, and MA Bar Trusts and Estates. Combine practice question review with full-length simulations reflecting the 200 MBE questions to build pacing toward the required 270 total scaled score. Consult official guidelines from the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners to verify all administrative filing steps.

Sources & last verified

1. Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners — number of questions, passing score, validity (official source). “Two three-hour test sessions to respond to 200 multiple-choice questions” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 25, 2026.
2. Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners — exam fee, retake policy, eligibility, registration opens (official source). “The $815 fee paid by a petitioner is comprised of an $800 statutory civil case filing fee (GL c. 221, §37) and a $15 statutory…” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 25, 2026.
3. Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners — retake fee (official source). “The $815 fee paid by a petitioner is comprised of an $800 statutory civil case filing fee (GL c. 221, §37) and a $15 statutory…” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 25, 2026.
4. Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners — delivery, score release, next exam date (official source). “The questions for all portions of the exam will be provided in hard-copy paper booklets. Examinees will have the option to either handwrite or type…” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 25, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.