Reviewed by:
David Merson
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 4/3/24
If you’re curious about what the Uniform Bar Exam is, keep reading. We’ll walk through its structure, content, and where you can take it.
Since 2011, the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) has steadily gained ground across the US. Over time, more and more states are adopting the UBE as a means to streamline the process of attorney licensure. It's designed to make sure that everyone who passes meets the same high standards of legal know-how, no matter where they plan to practice.
In this guide, we'll cover the basics of the UBE, including its components, the states and jurisdictions where it's accepted, how it's graded, the subjects it covers, the exam schedule, and the portability of UBE scores. Whether you're thinking about taking the exam or just want to understand what it's all about, this overview has got you covered.
What Is the Uniform Bar Exam?
The Uniform Bar Exam is a standardized test conducted by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). Its main aim is to assess the essential knowledge and skills needed for practicing law effectively.
This exam includes multiple-choice questions, essays, and performance tests covering various legal topics like constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, and evidence.
What sets the UBE apart is its portability; once you've taken it, you can use your scores to apply for admission to the bar in different jurisdictions that accept the UBE. This saves you the hassle of taking separate bar exams for each place you want to practice law.
UBE Components
The UBE is made up of three main sections:
- The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
- The Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)
- The Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
The MBE is the first step in the UBE. It tests whether candidates understand important legal principles and can analyze legal situations.
This section consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering a range of legal topics, such as civil procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, and Evidence. It is split into morning and afternoon sessions, each lasting three hours. Candidates face both scored and unscored pretest questions.
The MBE contributes 50% to the total UBE score, so it plays a significant role in determining candidates' readiness for the legal profession.
Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)
Following the MBE is the MEE, which focuses on assessing candidates' writing and analytical skills. Through six essay questions spanning subjects such as Business Associations, Torts, and Trusts and Estates, candidates must provide clear and concise responses within a 30-minute timeframe per question.
Graded by individual jurisdictions, the MEE constitutes 30% of the overall UBE score, offering valuable insights into candidates' ability to articulate legal concepts effectively.
Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
The MPT evaluates candidates' practical application of legal knowledge and skills. With two 90-minute tasks, candidates are presented with case materials, including a File containing relevant facts and a Library with reference materials.
From drafting legal documents to analyzing case materials, candidates demonstrate their legal research, analysis, and writing abilities. Accounting for 20% of the UBE score, the MPT provides an opportunity for candidates to showcase their readiness for the challenges of legal practice.
UBE States and Jurisdictions
Below is a breakdown of the UBE states and jurisdictions that have embraced the UBE, along with when they first introduced it.
Jurisdictions That Have Adopted the UBE
| State | First Administration Date |
|---|---|
| Alabama | July 2011 |
| Alaska | July 2014 |
| Arizona | July 2012 |
| Arkansas | February 2020 |
| Colorado | February 2012 |
| Connecticut | February 2017 |
| District of Columbia | July 2016 |
| Idaho | February 2012 |
| Illinois | July 2019 |
| Indiana | July 2021 |
| Iowa | February 2016 |
| Kansas | February 2016 |
| Kentucky | February 2021 |
| Maine | July 2017 |
| Maryland | July 2019 |
| Massachusetts | July 2018 |
| Michigan | February 2023 |
| Minnesota | February 2014 |
| Missouri | February 2011 |
| Montana | July 2013 |
| State | First Administration Date |
|---|---|
| Nebraska | February 2013 |
| New Hampshire | February 2014 |
| New Jersey | February 2017 |
| New Mexico | February 2016 |
| New York | July 2016 |
| North Carolina | February 2019 |
| North Dakota | February 2011 |
| Ohio | February 2021 |
| Oklahoma | July 2021 |
| Oregon | July 2017 |
| Pennsylvania | July 2022 |
| Rhode Island | February 2019 |
| South Carolina | February 2017 |
| Tennessee | February 2019 |
| Texas | February 2021 |
| Utah | February 2013 |
| Vermont | July 2016 |
| Washington | July 2013 |
| West Virginia | July 2017 |
| Wyoming | July 2013 |
| Virgin Islands | July 2017 |
States and Jurisdictions That Have Not Adopted the UBE
The following states and jurisdictions have not adopted the UBE:
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Additionally, the following territories and jurisdictions have not adopted the UBE:
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Palau
- Puerto Rico
Source: NCBE
Grading of the UBE
The UBE is graded through a combination of scoring by the NCBE for the MBE component, while the MEE and the MPT components are graded by individual jurisdictions.
After grading, the scores from the MEE and MPT are scaled to align with the MBE scores, and the UBE total scores are calculated by the NCBE. These total scores are reported on a 400-point scale, with the MBE weighted at 50%, the MEE at 30%, and the MPT at 20%.
Each jurisdiction sets its own minimum passing score for the UBE, and NCBE automatically reports UBE scores to jurisdictions, which then report the scores to examinees. If a jurisdiction does not report scores to examinees, individuals may request their scores from NCBE via UBE Score Services.
UBE Bar Exam Subjects
The Uniform Bar Exam covers key legal subjects like Contracts, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, Torts, and Civil Procedure.
Additionally, the MEE includes topics such as Business Associations, Conflict of Laws, Family Law, UCC Art. 9 (Secured Transactions), and Trusts & Estates. This broad range of subjects ensures that candidates have a well-rounded understanding of essential legal principles needed for the practice of law.
UBE Schedule
To prepare for the UBE, candidates typically put in around 35-40 hours of study time per week for nine to 10 weeks, totaling about 300-400 hours.
The strategy is to take things one step at a time. Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, candidates focus on mastering one part of the exam before moving on to the next.
Your first aim should be to learn the material. This involves listening to lectures, going through practice questions, and getting to grips with the nuts and bolts of each section. Once that's done, it's all about practice, practice, practice.
By breaking it down and building a study schedule, candidates can dig deep into each component of the exam. This approach not only builds up knowledge but also helps develop those all-important test-taking strategies. So when exam day rolls around, candidates are ready to handle anything that comes their way.
UBE Score Portability
Score portability on the UBE allows candidates who pass the exam in one jurisdiction to transfer their scores for admission to other UBE jurisdictions. This simplifies the process for lawyers who want to practice in multiple states by providing a standardized measure of their legal competence across different jurisdictions.
However, it's important to check the specific requirements of the jurisdiction where admission is sought, as procedures may vary slightly.
Final Thoughts
To wrap it up, understanding what the Uniform Bar Exam is key. It provides a standardized way for future lawyers to prove their skills, making it easier to practice across different states.
And when it comes to acing the UBE, look no further than our customized Uniform Bar Exam tutoring. Our skilled tutors provide customized online sessions designed to target your areas for improvement, guiding you toward reaching your full potential.
