Multistate Bar Exam Questions and Answers

     The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is a six-hour, 200-question multiple-choice exam that was created by NCBE and given on the final Wednesdays in February and July by user jurisdictions as part of the bar examination. The MBE’s objective is to evaluate the extent to which a test taker can analyze presented fact patterns using basic legal principles and legal reasoning.

     Except for Louisiana and Puerto Rico, which have civil law systems considerably distinct from those in other states, the MBE is administered throughout all the states and territories of the United States.

     Maryland has established itself as a leader in promoting MBE contracting possibilities as a result of the State’s progressive MBE laws, regulations, and solid administrative support. The sole state to gather information on payments made to MBEs in uniform reporting. Maryland administers the two-day Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which is made up of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), which consists of two MPT essay questions and six MEE questions.

For exams in February and July, results are made public in early April and early September, respectively.

     The District of Columbia is a UBE jurisdiction. The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and two Multistate Performance Test (MPT) activities make up the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which is coordinated by NCBE (MBE). It is consistently administered, assessed, and scored by participating jurisdictions, yielding a portable score that may be shared throughout UBE jurisdictions. In addition to passing the UBE, jurisdictions that use it may also demand that applicants finish a component of education particular to that jurisdiction or pass a test on that country’s legal system. No such rules apply in the District of Columbia.

• The National Conference of Bar Examiners created and delivers the Multistate Bar Exam, or “MBE,” a multiple-choice test (NCBE).
  
• There are 200 multiple-choice questions in it. On the final Wednesday of every February and July, it is given twice a year.
  
• Each test taker has six hours to finish the 200 questions. There are two sections of the test, each with 100 questions.
• Examinees have three hours to respond to the 100 questions that are presented to them in the morning.
• Examinees get three hours to complete the additional 100 questions, which are given in the afternoon.
  
• Out of the 200 multiple-choice questions, only 175 are scored. Twenty-five of the questions are ungraded “test” questions.

     An estimated scaled score for the MBE’s performance is given, and it can vary from 40 (poor) to 200. (high). On the basis of equating, a statistical technique frequently employed on standardized tests, NCBE determines MBE scaled scores. In order to account for variations in difficulty between the present exam and previous exams, raw marks on the current exam are adjusted statistically. Equating allows scaled scores to be compared between test administrations because each scaled score will always represent the same level of skill or performance. Equating makes sure that nobody is unfairly rewarded or punished for taking a test that is more or less difficult. It is impossible to know ahead of time how many questions an examinee must correctly answer in order to receive a given scaled score because the adjustment of scores during equating is examination-specific (i.e., based on the difficulty of the current examination as compared to previous examinations).

     On the MBE, there are four different viable answers for each question. As has already established, the MBE differs from the majority of other multiple-choice tests you’ve taken. Every possible solution is a trap, therefore you shouldn’t count on being able to eliminate answers right away. Both a thorough understanding of the pertinent legal principles and the capacity to retain critical thinking throughout the six-hour test are necessary to pass the MBE.

Generally speaking, you should begin your studies at least nine weeks before the bar exam.  The following are some of the best study strategies for the MBE: 

1. Remember the law. The MBE doesn’t give you points for general knowledge. It is a test of logical, thorough memory. You must invest the time required to commit precise definitions to memory. 
   
2. Develop your skills through practicing. Your endurance will be put to the test almost as much as your legal knowledge will be in the MBE. Working through 200 MBE questions is no joke; Take full-length practice MBEs as part of your bar exam preparation because of this. You must increase your endurance and get physically and mentally ready for the task at hand.
   
3. Print a copy of the MBE Subject Matter Outline provided by the NCBE. Each potential subject that could be assessed on the MBE is listed in this outline. Use the outline during your bar preparation course and mark items off as you become familiar with them. 
   
4. Get rid of the social networking apps on your phone. The bar exam is the most significant test of your life, thus this advice could appear extreme to some. Additionally, you don’t want to take it again. You want to avoid any distractions when you’re studying for the bar test for a few months.
   
5. Take pauses. In general, while studying, try to take a break at least once an hour. If you spend the entire day studying, you’ll soon become exhausted. To give your brain the break it needs without pulling you off task, keep the majority of your breaks brief—only a minute or two.

     Candidates must pass both the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination and the California Bar Examination in order to practice law in California (MPRE).

     Yes, you can access online courses that provide updated Multistate Bar Exam Practice Exams by enrolling and taking the MBE free trial practice test.

You will have six hours to complete 200 multiple-choice questions on the Multistate Bar Exam segment. The following seven topics are covered by the MBE and are equally tested with 25 multiple-choice questions each:

1. Criminal Law and Procedure
   
2. Constitutional Law
   
3. Contracts and Sales
   
4. Civil Procedure
   
5. Torts
   
6. Real Property
   
7. Evidence

     The standardized testing procedure utilized on the MBE is known as Scantron. On the MBE, students mark their answer choices on Scantron sheets, which are scannable response sheets.

     A statistical method was devised by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE®) to guarantee that a scaled score on one examination is identical to a score on any other examination. Aim for a scaled score between 140 and 145. (which is the average score). It is advised to achieve a scaled score of 150 or better.

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Pros and Cons at a Glance

Sample Multistate Bar Exam Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free Multistate Bar Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. A negative easement prevents a servient estate owner from doing something on their land. Which of the following is a recognized traditional negative easement?

   • A. Preventing the servient owner from playing loud music
   • B. Blocking a neighbor's view of a scenic mountain
   • C. Obstructing light and air reaching the dominant estate
   • D. Parking vehicles on a shared driveway

   Answer: C. Obstructing light and air reaching the dominant estate

   Traditional negative easements include light, air, support, and streamflow — courts historically refused to expand this list to include view easements.

2. During trial, the plaintiff calls an expert witness who testifies about the cause of the plaintiff's injuries. The defendant challenges the expert's methodology. Under Daubert, the trial court acts as:

   • A. A passive gatekeeper that defers to the jury on expert credibility
   • B. A gatekeeper who must assess whether the expert's testimony is based on sufficient facts, reliable methodology, and reliably applied to the facts
   • C. An arbiter who must exclude any testimony not accepted by a majority of scientists in the field
   • D. A reviewer limited to examining the expert's qualifications only

   Answer: B. A gatekeeper who must assess whether the expert's testimony is based on sufficient facts, reliable methodology, and reliably applied to the facts

   Under Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, the trial judge serves as a gatekeeper, examining whether expert testimony rests on sufficient facts, a reliable methodology, and reliable application of that methodology to the facts.

3. Plaintiff and Defendant are involved in federal litigation. Plaintiff serves Defendant with interrogatories. Under FRCP 33, Defendant must respond within:

   • A. 14 days
   • B. 21 days
   • C. 30 days
   • D. 45 days

   Answer: C. 30 days

   Under FRCP 33(b)(2), the responding party must serve answers and any objections to interrogatories within 30 days after being served, unless the court orders otherwise.

4. A witness called to testify has previously been convicted of perjury five years ago. Under FRE 609, this conviction:

   • A. Is inadmissible because more than two years have passed
   • B. Is admissible to attack credibility regardless of the time passed
   • C. Is admissible only if the probative value outweighs prejudice
   • D. Is inadmissible because perjury is not a felony

   Answer: C. Is admissible only if the probative value outweighs prejudice

   Under FRE 609(b), convictions more than 10 years old face a higher standard, but convictions within 10 years are admissible if probative value outweighs prejudicial effect.

Take the full Multistate Bar Exam practice test