What is the Bar Exam?

Learn about the Bar Exam and the requirements to become a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Prepare effectively for this crucial exam.

Bar ExamMar 14, 202637 min read

What is the Bar Exam?

Essay questions
- Basically, all jurisdiction administers a number of these questions that measure knowledge of general legal principles and might also assess knowledge of the law of the state. For this purpose, some jurisdiction has chosen to use the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) which has been established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) since 1988. Some may create their own questions with this in mind, while some jurisdictions may both create their own questions and use the MEE.
Multistate standardized exams

Bar Exam Civil Procedure

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Bar Exam Contracts & Sales

Bar Exam exam practice questions on contracts & sales. Test your knowledge and boost your confidence.

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Bar Exam Criminal Law & Procedure

Practice Bar Exam questions focusing on criminal law & procedure. Essential review for your certification exam.

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Bar Exam Evidence

Bar Exam test prep covering evidence. Master key concepts and improve your exam readiness.

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Bar Exam Family Law

Review family law with this Bar Exam practice quiz. Strengthen your understanding before exam day.

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Bar Exam Professional Responsibility & Ethics

Bar Exam sample questions on professional responsibility & ethics. Build your skills and prepare effectively for the exam.

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FREE Bar Exam MBE (Business Associations) Questions and Answers

Free Bar Exam practice test covering free bar exam mbe (business associations) questions and answers. Prepare for the exam with targeted practice questions.

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FREE Bar Exam MBE (Constitutional Law I) Questions and Answers

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FREE Bar Exam MBE (Constitutional Law II) Questions and Answers

Practice Bar Exam questions focusing on free bar exam mbe (constitutional law ii) questions and answers. Essential review for your certification exam.

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FREE Bar Exam MBE (Constitutional Law III) Questions and Answers

Bar Exam test prep covering free bar exam mbe (constitutional law iii) questions and answers. Master key concepts and improve your exam readiness.

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FREE Bar Exam MBE (Real Property) Questions and Answers

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FREE Bar Exam MBE (Torts) Questions and Answers

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Getting Started With The Bar Exam

State/Jurisdiction

Pass Rate

Took/moPassed

Oklahoma

81.00%

421/mo341

Missouri

79.07%

946/mo748

Iowa

78.46%

260/mo204

New Mexico

76.95%

308/mo237

Montana

76.51%

149/mo114

Utah

76.07%

397/mo302

Oregon

75.26%

667/mo502

Kansas

75.00%

176/mo132

Idaho

74.48%

192/mo143

Nebraska

74.19%

217/mo161

Colorado

69.17%

1103/mo763

Wisconsin

68.81%

218/mo150

Illinois

68.80%

2740/mo1885

Delaware

68.54%

213/mo146

Louisiana

68.47%

815/mo558

New Hampshire

68.38%

234/mo160

Minnesota

68.36%

825/mo564

Pennsylvania

67.72%

1865/mo1263

Washington

67.68%

1120/mo758

Hawaii

67.52%

274/mo185

Virginia

66.15%

1226/mo811

South Carolina

65.25%

682/mo445

Texas

64.88%

4208/mo2730

Ohio

64.72%

1372/mo888

West Virginia

64.58%

240/mo155

Connecticut

64.34%

544/mo350

District of Columbia

64.20%

1606/mo1031

Michigan

63.99%

1094/mo700

Massachusetts

63.94%

1872/mo1197

Wyoming

63.33%

90/mo57

Arkansas

63.19%

345/mo218

Maine

63.13%

160/mo101

Indiana

61.24%

792/mo485

New York

61.19%

14094/mo8624

Kentucky

60.61%

495/mo300

Tennessee

60.30%

1068/mo644

Vermont

58.56%

111/mo65

Nevada

58.51%

523/mo306

Georgia

58.27%

1718/mo1001

South Dakota

58.26%

115/mo67

New Jersey

57.59%

1351/mo778

Rhode Island

57.58%

165/mo95

Florida

55.40%

4415/mo2446

Maryland

55.33%

1605/mo888

North Dakota

53.98%

113/mo61

Alaska

53.00%

100/mo53

North Carolina

52.35%

1639/mo858

Mississippi

52.29%

262/mo137

Alabama

51.83%

766/mo397

Arizona

49.85%

971/mo484

California

44.42%

12985/mo5768

First filing deadline

Late filing deadline

Bar exam fee for first-time takers (non-attorneys)/moBar exam fee for attorneys

Alabama

Oct. 1

—/mo$575

Alaska

Dec. 1

Jan. 15/mo$800

Arizona

Aug. 15

Nov. 30/mo$880

Arkansas

Nov. 15

—/mo$500

California

Nov. 1

Jan. 15/mo$1,228

Colorado

Nov. 1

Dec. 1/mo$710

Connecticut

Oct. 31

Nov. 30/mo$800

Delaware

No February Exams

$700 / $1,400/mo$800 / $1,600

District of Columbia

Dec. 15

Dec. 30/mo$100 + $45 (MEE + MPT)+ $60 (MBE)

Florida

Nov. 15

Dec. 15/ Jan. 15/mo$1,000

Georgia

Jan. 2

Feb. 1/mo$350 + $64 (MBE)+ $28 (MPT)

Hawaii

Nov. 1

—/mo$500

Idaho

Oct. 1

Nov. 15/mo$600

Illinois

Sept. 15

Nov. 1/ Dec. 15/mo$950 – $1,450

Indiana

Nov. 15

Nov. 30/mo$250

Iowa

Nov. 1

—/mo$550

Kansas

Oct. 1

Nov. 1/mo$700

Kentucky

Oct. 1

Dec. 1/mo$875

Louisiana

Nov. 1

Dec. 15/mo$750 / $875

Maine

Dec. 20

Dec. 27/ Jan. 3/mo$600

Maryland

Dec. 20

—/mo$750

Massachusetts

75 days

—/mo$815

Michigan

Nov. 1

Dec. 15/mo$775

Minnesota

Oct. 15

Dec. 2/mo$500

Mississippi

Sept. 1

Nov. 1/mo$525 / $825

Missouri

Oct. 1

Nov. 1/ Dec. 31/mo$485 / $910

Montana

Oct. 1

—/mo$620

Nebraska

Nov. 1

Dec. 1/mo$490

Nevada

Oct. 1

Dec. 1/mo$700

New Hampshire

Dec. 1

—/mo$725

New Jersey

Oct. 31

Nov. 15/ Nov. 30/mo$675

New Mexico

Sept. 20

Dec. 2/mo$500 / $1,000

New York

Nov. 30

—/mo$250 / $750

North Carolina

Oct. 1

Nov. 5/mo$850

North Dakota

Nov. 1

Dec. 1/mo$150

Ohio

Nov. 1

Dec. 10/mo$358

Oklahoma

Sept. 1

Oct. 2/ Nov. 1/mo$400

Oregon

Nov. 15

Dec. 15/mo$750

Pennsylvania

Oct. 30

Nov. 15/ Nov. 30/ Dec. 15/mo$650

Rhode Island

Sept. 1/ Dec. 1

—/mo$975

South Carolina

Aug. 31

Sep. 30/mo$1,000 / $1,500

South Dakota

Nov. 1

—/mo$300

Tennessee

Dec. 1

Dec. 20/mo$575

Texas

Sep. 1

Nov. 1/ Dec. 1/mo$300 / $490 / $1,140

Utah

Oct. 1

Nov. 1/mo$550

Vermont

Dec. 1

—/mo$300

Virginia

Dec. 17

—/mo$950

Washington

Oct. 5

Nov. 6/mo$585

West Virginia

Nov. 1

Dec. 1/mo$500

Wisconsin

Dec. 1

Jan. 1/mo$450 / $850

Wyoming

Nov. 15

—/mo$600

Guam

Dec. 1

Jan. 1/mo$800

Northern Mariana Islands

Dec. 20

Jan. 3/mo$500

Palau

No February Exams

$300/mo$300

Puerto Rico

TBA

—/mo$250

Virgin Islands

Dec. 1

Jan. 2/mo$1,100

Frequently Asked Questions

California
Delaware
Louisiana
Nevada
Virginia

Bar Exam Sample Questions

Yes, because the law bears a rational relationship to a legitimate government end.
Yes, because Congress has the power to regulate drug offenses under the Commerce Clause.
No, because the Congressional scheme violates the Tenth Amendment and related concepts of federalism.
No, because federal legislation has occupied the field such that the state laws would be preempted by the federal scheme.

Yes, because there is diversity of citizenship and the case meets the amount in controversy requirement.
Yes, because Patrick has availed himself of the forum state by receiving medical care in Nevada hospitals.
No, because the case does not present a federal question.
No, because David lives in Nevada.

Strict liability.
Respondeat superior.
Willful ignorance.
Negligence.