The bar exam can seem like a massive undertaking when you begin studying. Bar prep becomes easier when you break the exam down into its three component parts. These are:
These sections make up the entirety of the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). The UBE is administered in many states, as well as the District of Columbia (D.C.) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The exam is identical across all UBE jurisdictions, and scores received in one state or territory are transferable to other UBE jurisdictions under certain conditions.
However, not all states choose to administer the UBE. While the MBE is administered by all states and territories except Louisiana and Puerto Rico, many jurisdictions replace the MPT, the MEE, or both with state- or territory-specific test materials. Check the website of the jurisdiction you plan to test in before beginning prep so you know what to expect while studying.
The MBE is the longest portion of the bar exam. It consists of a six-hour, 200-question multiple choice examination covering core doctrinal subjects. These include:
Answering MBE questions correctly and efficiently is a skill that takes practice, and different methods work best for different people. UWorld Legal suggests a few key aspects of practicing MBE questions during bar prep that can help you develop both your mastery of the MBE process.
Estimates of how many total MBE questions you should expect to practice while studying for the bar can vary substantially. Above the Law suggests aiming for 3,000 total answers, but that students should be satisfied if they manage to reach 2,500. This gives you a significant buffer zone in terms of practicing on as many aspects of a given MBE subject as possible.
You can complete questions untimed at the beginning of your studies to hone your knowledge of the material, but timed MBE practice is a must given the limited amount of time you have to answer questions. The NCBE offers further information about preparing to take the MBE on its website.
The MPT consists of two 90-minute tests designed to test your ability to function as an attorney in a realistic legal situation. Each section comes with an assignment from a fictional legal supervisor, such as a memo or persuasive brief; the relevant case file; and a library of legal reference material for applicants to base their writing upon.
Rather than testing on specific fields of doctrinal law, the MPT tests fundamental skills that are necessary to effectively practice law. These include:
Succeeding on the MPT is largely a matter of organization and time management. Give yourself adequate time to read and assess the assignment, the file, and the library provided while still completing the assignment in a thorough fashion. It's important to make sure your writing covers all relevant issues while still adhering to the conventions of the requested document (e.g., proper memo format) and providing a solid conclusion.
The NCBE provides more information on preparing for the MPT on its website.
The MEE is the essay portion of the UBE, consisting of six 30-minute short-answer questions. Rather than covering a single set of doctrinal topics, the subject matter of the MEE is drawn from a broad list of possible topics which change every year. These are:
The NCBE offers a PDF breaking down these subjects into all possible subtopics on its website.
There is no way to know in advance which topics will be tested on the MEE. MEE questions also commonly address more than one legal topic at once. It's critical to have a strong understanding of all potential MEE topics to be equally prepared for any combination of subjects on the exam. UWorld Legal suggests organizing answers in IRAC format, focusing on straightforward rule application, and practicing time management to boost your chances of success on the MEE.
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) will begin rolling out the NextGen Bar Exam in many jurisdictions in July 2026. For more information, check out Emory's NextGen Bar Exam Library Guide.
