Multistate Bar Exam Bar Exam Information

The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is a 6-hour, 200-question multiple-choice examination developed and graded by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). It is administered as part of the bar examination in nearly every U.S. jurisdiction.

The MBE is administered on the second day of the Uniform Bar Examination and most state-specific bar exams. It consists of two 3-hour sessions (100 questions in the morning, 100 in the afternoon) for 200 total multiple-choice questions. In UBE jurisdictions, the MBE is weighted at 50% of the total UBE score.

MBE Subjects Tested

The MBE tests seven subjects:

• Civil Procedure
• Constitutional Law
• Contracts (including UCC Article 2 Sales)
• Criminal Law and Procedure
• Evidence
• Real Property
• Torts

MBE Scoring

The MBE is reported on a 200-point scaled score. Of the 200 questions on each administration, 25 are unscored pretested items; the remaining 175 are scored. Raw scores are converted to scaled scores using equating to ensure fairness across administrations.

In UBE jurisdictions, the MBE scaled score is combined with the written component (MEE and MPT) scaled scores to produce a total UBE score on a 400-point scale. Common UBE passing scores range from 260 (Alabama, Minnesota, Missouri, etc.) to 280 (Alaska).

MBE Score Transfer

Several jurisdictions accept transferred MBE scores from another jurisdiction (typically within 13–37 months of the current exam, depending on the jurisdiction). UBE jurisdictions accept transferred UBE scores rather than MBE scores in isolation. Non-UBE jurisdictions that accept MBE transfers include West Virginia, Virginia, and several others.

NextGen UBE Transition

NCBE will discontinue the MBE after February 2028. From July 2026 through February 2028, the MBE will gradually be replaced by the NextGen UBE, which integrates multiple-choice questions with integrated question sets and performance tasks. The NextGen exam emphasizes practical lawyering skills and tests approximately 49% standalone multiple-choice questions, 21% integrated question sets, and 30% performance tasks.

The first-wave NextGen jurisdictions (July 2026) are: Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Palau, US Virgin Islands, and Washington. Additional jurisdictions adopt in July 2027 and July 2028.