Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) | Complete, Ultimate Guide | 2024 (2024)

Your complete guide to UBE prep.

Jurisdictions · Pass Rates · Bar Review Courses · Format · Essay Topics · Schedule · Dates ·What to Bring · · FAQ

*Updated January 2024

Basic Information

The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is a standardized exam that has been adopted in 40 (and counting) jurisdictions. The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) administers the exam. It has three parts: the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). The Uniform Bar Exam allows you to transfer scores within a certain amount of time from one UBE jurisdiction to another.

Which jurisdictions use the UBE?

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the Virgin Islands.

For the most updated information regarding which jurisdictions have adopted the UBE, check the NCBE’s official map.

The following are not UBE jurisdictions:

California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, *Hawaii, *Mississippi, Nevada, *South Dakota, Virginia, *Wisconsin, *Guam, *Northern Mariana Islands, *Palau, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico.

*These jurisdictions are not considered UBE jurisdictions, because part of their bar exam is jurisdiction specific. However, they do test all parts of the UBE (the MBE, MEE, and MPT) on their bar exam.

Uniform Bar Exam Pass Rates

Overall Pass Rate: 64%

First-Time Pass Rate: 77%

Repeat Pass Rate: 22%

View detailed statistics

Overall Pass Rate: 71%

First-Time Pass Rate: 80%

Repeat Pass Rate: 39%

View detailed statistics

Overall Pass Rate: 48%

First-Time Pass Rate: 63%

Repeat Pass Rate: 34%

View detailed statistics

Overall Pass Rate: 41%

First-Time Pass Rate: 58%

Repeat Pass Rate: 29%

View detailed statistics

Uniform Bar Review Courses

Compare top UBE courses from Crushendo, Barbri, Themis, Kaplan, AmeriBar, and BarMax.

	Crushendo	Barbri	Themis	Kaplan	AmeriBar	BarMax
*Cost	$970	$1,999-4,199	$2,695	$2,199-3,999	$1,299-2,599	$1,895
Facebook Rating	5.0	Disabled	4.8	Disabled	Disabled	4.3
Google Rating	5.0	N/A	2.8	3.2	N/A	N/A
MBE
MEE
MPT
NCBE Questions	1,750+	100+	1,350+	1,200+	1,400+	1,700+
Audio Flashcards
250+ Mnemonics
Access Period	Lifetime	8-10 weeks	4 months	4 months	Up to 3 years	Lifetime
Financing			3 payments	$250 registration
Founded	2017	1974	2008	1938	1999	2010
Phone	(385) 482-1776	(888) 322-7274	(888) 843-6476	(626) 390-7170	(877) 942-2763	(800) 529-2651

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Last updated: 1/7/23

*Cost ignores promotions and live tutoring.

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UBE Format

What’s the format of the UBE?

The UBE is administered twice each year (in February and July). The examination is administered over two days, in four, three-hour sessions. The UBE has three parts: the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).

MBE

The MBE is a six hour test and consists of 200 multiple choice questions that test your understanding across seven subjects. Your MBE score comprises 50% of your overall UBE score.

Crushendo offers affordable, comprehensive written and audio outlines for MBE subjects (in addition to MEE and MPRE subjects).

Watch Crushendo’s free MBE tips video.

MEE

The MEE consists of six 30-minute legal essays. The MEE makes up 30% of your score.

Essay topics may include the following: Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Property, Secured Transactions, Torts, Trusts, Unincorporated Business Entities, Wills and Estates, etc.

Crushendo offers the most recent MEE questions and includes the point sheets that the graders used. Watch Crushendo’s free MEE tips video.

MPT

The MPT consists of two 90-minute tasks where you analyze and apply laws to specific scenarios. The MPT makes up 20% of your score. Crushendo offers the most recent MPT questions and includes the point sheets that the graders used. Watch Crushendo’s free MPT tips video.

Schedule

Dates

• July 30-31, 2024
• February 25-26, 2025

Uniform Bar Exam: What to Bring

What to bring

• Your current driver’s license.
• Your Bar Examination Identification & Certification Card that has your photo, NCBE number, and examinee number.

Important notes

• You need to have these items with you for each of the four testing sessions.
• Pens and pencils are provided to examinees.
• Laptop testers should not bring their laptop in a case or bag.

Prohibited items

• Any item that can connect to the internet
• Any item that can record audio or video
• Backpacks
• Books
• Briefcases
• Calculators
• Cameras
• Notes
• Phones
• Food or drink
• Purses
• Radios
• Rulers
• Scratch papers
• Study materials

Uniform Bar Exam Scores and Grading

Scores of the three tests comprising the UBE are weighted as follows:

• MBE = 50% of your total UBE score
• MEE = 30%
• MPT = 20%

Individual jurisdictions determine their own passing score. Alaska requires the highest passing score (280). Alabama, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, and North Dakota require the lowest passing scores (260).

FAQ

Do you have to go to law school to take the UBE?

Almost always. Vermont and Washington are the only jurisdictions that allow the UBE to be taken without attending law school. Aspiring lawyers within these jurisdictions are given the option to apprentice with a practicing attorney or judge for a specified amount of time rather than enrolling in law school. Unsurprisingly, your odds at passing are higher if you attend law school.

How much does it cost to take the UBE?

You can expect to pay between $100 to $1400 to register depending on your jurisdiction.

How do you register for the UBE?

First, create anNCBE account, which will create a unique NCBE Number allowing you to then register with the state board of bar examiners. Applicants with qualifying disabilities can apply for accommodations. Each jurisdiction sets its own registrations deadlines, so make sure to check your state board’s website for deadlines.

How do you transfer your UBE score to another jurisdiction?

To transfer UBE scores, you must first submit application forms and pay the required fees by that jurisdiction. Then, you should contact the NCBE to request that your official UBE transcript be sent to that jurisdiction. Finally, you should fulfill any additional jurisdiction-specific requirements.

UBE scores are only transferable from one UBE jurisdiction to another. If a jurisdiction administers the MBE, MEE, and MPT but has not adopted the UBE, your UBE score is not transferable to that jurisdiction. Your score must meet or exceed the minimum passing score of the jurisdiction to which you are applying. Just because you pass in your jurisdiction doesn’t mean you’ll be admitted in another. This also means that if you fail in a state with a high minimum score, you can still apply to transfer your score to a jurisdiction where your score would be considered passing.

When do UBE scores expire? What’s the time limit for transferring your UBE score to another UBE jurisdiction?

*UBE scores are accepted if earned within the first period (2 or 3 years). If submitting scores older than that, UBE scores earned within the second period (5 years) are accepted if accompanied by proof of actively practicing law. Check with the applicable bar admission agency for jurisdiction-specific rules.
**TX has not yet announced its time limit for accepting transferred UBE scores.

How many times can you take the bar exam without receiving special permission to retake?

*Includes attempts in other jurisdictions.
†Exception if special permission from South Dakota Supreme Court.

All other jurisdictions haveno publishedlimit on the number of times the bar exam can be taken.

How long do you have to wait to get your UBE score back?

Anywhere from 5 to 16 weeks, depending on your jurisdiction and whether you take the exam in July or February.

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