MPRE Score Requirements by State 2026 — Bar Admission Guide
MPRE score requirements by state 2026: minimum passing scores for bar admission in all 50 states, how the MPRE is scored, what 85 means on the MPRE, and registration deadlines.
MPRE Passing Score Requirements by State
Every US jurisdiction that requires the MPRE sets its own minimum passing score. Most states require a scaled score between 75 and 86. Below are the requirements for major jurisdictions:
- California: Minimum scaled score of 86 — the highest requirement in the country
- New York: Minimum scaled score of 85
- Texas: Minimum scaled score of 85
- Florida: Minimum scaled score of 80
- Illinois: Minimum scaled score of 80
- Pennsylvania: Minimum scaled score of 75
- Ohio: Minimum scaled score of 85
- Virginia: Minimum scaled score of 85
- Most remaining states: Minimum scaled score between 75 and 85
Always verify your state's current requirement on the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) website or your state bar's official admissions page, as requirements change. Wisconsin does not require the MPRE; Puerto Rico accepts the UBE score instead.
How the MPRE Is Scored
The MPRE uses a scaled score system, not a percentage. Here is how raw scores become scaled scores:
- Raw score: You answer 60 questions total, but only 50 are scored (10 are unscored pretest items). Each correct answer earns 1 point. There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
- Equating: Because each MPRE administration has a slightly different difficulty level, raw scores are statistically equated so that a scaled score of 80 means the same level of performance across all test dates.
- Scaled score: The final score reported on a scale of approximately 50–150, with most test-takers scoring between 60 and 130. The passing score varies by state (75–86).
Score report timeline: Scores are released approximately 5 weeks after the exam date through your NCBE account. MPRE scores are valid for bar admission for at least 3 years in most jurisdictions (some extend this to 5 years).
MPRE Score Requirements at a Glance
- Scale range: Approximately 50–150 (scaled)
- Lowest state requirement: 75 (Pennsylvania, most remaining states)
- Highest state requirement: 86 (California)
- National median: Approximately 95–100 for first-time takers
- Total questions: 60 multiple-choice (50 scored + 10 pretest)
- Time allowed: 2 hours (approximately 2 minutes per question)
- Subjects tested: ABA Model Rules, Code of Judicial Conduct, professional responsibility
- Format: 4-option multiple-choice, computer-based at Prometric centers
- California (highest): Scaled score of 86 required
- New York, Texas, Ohio, Virginia: Scaled score of 85 required
- Florida, Illinois: Scaled score of 80 required
- Not required: Wisconsin only (waived for in-state law school graduates)
- Exam dates: March, August, November each year
- Registration deadline: Approximately 5 weeks before exam date
- Fee: $95 per administration
- Score validity: 3–5 years depending on jurisdiction (verify with state bar)
What MPRE Score Should You Target?
Your target MPRE score depends on which state bar you are applying to. Here is a practical approach:
- If applying to California: Target a score of 95 or higher to have a comfortable buffer above the 86 minimum. The MPRE is retakable, but bar admission schedules are not flexible — missing the deadline by one retake cycle can delay your admission by months.
- If applying to New York or Texas (85 required): Aim for 90+. A score of 85 passes, but law students who score near the minimum often report feeling underprepared on the Professional Responsibility sections of the bar exam itself.
- If applying to a 75-minimum state: Aim for 85+ to allow for timing flexibility and to ensure your score transfers if you later apply to a higher-requirement state.
- Multiple jurisdiction applicants: If you plan to practice in more than one state, prepare for the highest requirement in your target states (usually 85 or 86).
Score transfers: MPRE scores transfer between jurisdictions directly through NCBE. You do not need to retake the MPRE if you later seek admission in another state — as long as your score is still within that state's validity window.
MPRE Registration, Retakes, and Score Transfers
The MPRE is administered three times per year — in March, August, and November. Each administration has a registration deadline approximately 5 weeks before the test date. Register through your NCBE account at ncbex.org.
Retake policy: There is no limit to the number of times you may take the MPRE. The fee is $95 per attempt. Most jurisdictions count each administration score separately — the highest passing score is used for bar admission purposes, and most states do not require you to report failed attempts.
Strategic timing: Most law students take the MPRE during their second year of law school after completing a Professional Responsibility course. This timing allows a retake if needed before bar exam registration deadlines in the third year.
Score transfer process: Once you pass, your score is retained in the NCBE database. To transfer your score to a new jurisdiction, submit a Score Transfer Request through ncbex.org. Most transfers are processed within 1 business day. The fee for a score transfer is $20 per jurisdiction.