The MPRE (Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination) is required for bar admission in 54 jurisdictions and stands between law students and their law license. It's not the bar exam — it's a two-hour, 60-question test on professional conduct rules — but it trips up a surprising number of students who underestimate it. Whether you're looking for a formal MPRE training program, a tutor, or just an efficient self-study plan, this guide covers your options.
Let's be honest first: the MPRE is not the bar exam. Most law students pass it on their first attempt with 2–4 weeks of focused study. A $1,000 tutoring package is probably overkill unless you've already failed the exam once or are particularly anxious about the material.
That said, choosing the right prep resource matters. The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct — which the MPRE is based on — are nuanced, and the exam tests them in specific ways that benefit from targeted preparation. Here's what's actually available:
If you're already enrolled in a full bar prep course, you almost certainly have MPRE prep included or available as an add-on:
Barbri MPRE Review: A widely used MPRE-specific course. Includes a video lecture series covering all tested topics, a written outline, and a bank of practice questions. Barbri's MPRE content is solid — it's focused, efficient, and developed by people who understand how the NCBE tests the rules. Typically included with full Barbri bar prep or available separately for $100–$200.
Themis MPRE Review: Shorter than Barbri's but structured similarly — lectures, outlines, practice questions. Themis is generally considered strong for bar prep and their MPRE content is comparable. Often included with full Themis enrollment.
Kaplan MPRE: Available as part of Kaplan's bar prep package. Practice-question heavy; useful if you're a student who learns best through volume drilling rather than lecture review.
Many students pass the MPRE using free or near-free resources:
NCBE Official Practice Exams: The NCBE releases free released exams — actual prior MPRE exams with answer keys. These are the most valuable prep resource available, and they're free at ncbex.org. If you do nothing else, work through the official released exams. They're the gold standard for understanding how questions are framed and what level of detail is tested.
AdaptiBar MPRE: Primarily known for MBE prep, AdaptiBar also has an MPRE module with adaptive question drills. Useful if you want software-based tracking of your weak areas. Modest cost ($50–$100).
Quimbee MPRE Review: Video lecture review course available through Quimbee. Clean, concise, and well-organized. Accessible to law students who already use Quimbee for case briefs. Free trial available.
Law school outlines and materials: Your Professional Responsibility course outline is actually excellent MPRE prep material — the exam tests exactly what's covered in most PR courses. If your school had a good PR professor, your class notes and outline cover most of the substantive content you need.
Private MPRE tutoring is available, typically from:
If you're using a tutor, be specific about what you need: work through official practice questions together, have the tutor explain the Model Rules nuances that keep tripping you up, and do a mock exam under timed conditions in your final session.
Understanding the exam's content distribution helps you allocate study time effectively. The MPRE tests:
Conflicts of Interest and Client Confidentiality consistently produce the most questions and the most mistakes. These two areas alone justify spending disproportionate study time.
Most students don't need more than 3 weeks for the MPRE. Here's how to structure it:
Week 1 — Content Review:
Week 2 — Practice Questions:
Week 3 — Full Mocks and Targeted Review:
Passing scores vary by jurisdiction. The scaled score range is roughly 50–150, with most jurisdictions requiring between 75 and 86:
Targeting an 85 gives you a safe margin regardless of jurisdiction. In practice, the scaled score of 85 corresponds to roughly 66–70% of the 50 scored questions answered correctly — a solid but manageable target with proper preparation.
MPRE scores are valid for 5 years in most jurisdictions and must be transferred directly from NCBE to the state bar during your bar application. You don't submit a score report yourself — NCBE transfers scores electronically. Make sure you request the score transfer to your target jurisdiction through your NCBE account when you apply for bar admission.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Structured MPRE training builds a solid foundation of skills | Training programs can be time-intensive (weeks to months) |
| Multiple training formats available: online, in-person, and hybrid | Quality varies significantly between training providers |
| Hands-on practice prepares you for real-world job scenarios | Costs for comprehensive programs can be substantial |
| Training programs often include job placement assistance | Hands-on components may require travel or in-person attendance |
| Continuing education keeps your skills current with industry changes | Self-paced learning requires strong discipline and motivation |
Try these questions from our free MPRE practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
A plaintiff's attorney is negotiating directly with a pro se defendant who lacks legal training. During negotiations the attorney tells the defendant, 'Courts almost never rule for defendants in cases like this — you should just settle.' This statement is:
Answer: B. Impermissible if it is materially misleading to the unrepresented party
Rule 4.3 prohibits a lawyer from stating or implying disinterest and bars making materially misleading statements to unrepresented persons; overstatements of weakness in a pro se opponent's position can violate this rule.
An attorney is appointed by the court to represent a defendant in a capital case. The attorney has never handled a capital case and lacks training in capital defense. Under Rule 6.2 and the competence obligations, the attorney should:
Answer: B. Seek to decline the appointment or move for associate counsel with capital experience.
Lack of competence to handle a specialized matter like capital defense can constitute good cause under Rule 6.2(c) and implicates the duty of competence under Rule 1.1.
An attorney who previously practiced family law begins accepting criminal defense cases without taking any additional training or associating with criminal law experts. The first client receives a longer sentence due to the attorney's failure to request a mandatory suppression hearing. What is most accurate?
Answer: B. The attorney violated Rule 1.1 by undertaking representation without the requisite legal knowledge and skill
Undertaking criminal defense without adequate preparation or association with competent counsel when lacking experience violates the competence requirement of Rule 1.1.
A lawyer participates in a 'Lawyers in the Classroom' program, teaching high school students about constitutional rights. This is best characterized as:
Answer: B. A form of public service consistent with Rule 6.1 commentary.
Civic education activities such as teaching students about the law are recognized in the commentary to Rule 6.1 as forms of public service.