The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is a bar exam developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners and uniformly administered to all UBE jurisdictions.
The UBE is composed of three sections:
The benefit of the UBE is that examinees can earn a portable score that can be used to apply for admission in other UBE jurisdictions. Please note that each UBE jurisdiction sets its own admission standards, including minimum passing scores and maximum score age. Some UBE jurisdictions have additional requirements, such as a local component.
You can learn which jurisdictions have adopted the UBE and find additional information about each jurisdiction’s admission requirements here.
The Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) is a six-hour, 200 question multiple-choice examination developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).
The MBE covers the following subjects:
Civil Procedure
Constitutional Law
Contracts
Criminal Law
Criminal Procedure
Evidence
Property
Torts.
You can view the MBE Subject Matter Outline for more information about the specific topics covered on the MBE. You can also get a feel for the type of questions asked by completing some Sample MBE Questions.
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The Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) is a three-hour, 6-question essay exam created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).
The MEE covers the following subjects:
Business Associations
Civil Procedure
Conflict of Laws*
Constitutional Law
Contracts
Criminal Law
Criminal Procedure
Evidence
Family Law*
Property
Torts
UCC Article 9 – Secured Transactions*
Wills, Trusts and Estates*
*Starting with the July 2026 Bar Exam, the MEE will no longer test these subjects.
You can view the MEE Subject Matter Outline for more information about the specific topics covered on the MEE. You can also get a feel for the type of questions asked by completing some of the questions from prior administrations:
The Multistate Performance Test (MPT) consists of two 90-minute tasks developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). The MPT is a closed-universe, practical skills exam designed to evaluate an examinee’s ability to complete a task that a beginning lawyer should be able to accomplish.
You can view the MPT Skills Tested for more information about the specific skills tested on the MPT. You can also get a feel for the type of tasks tested by completing some of the questions from prior administrations:
To be barred in two UBE jurisdictions “right away,” you would need to file an application for admission by examination in your primary jurisdiction and a concurrent application for admission by transferred UBE score in your secondary jurisdiction. Only certain UBE jurisdictions allow concurrent application for admission by transferred UBE score (i.e., only certain UBE jurisdictions allow you to apply for admission by transferred UBE score before your UBE score has been earned). Consult this chart to see if your jurisdiction(s) of interest accepts concurrent applications. If your jurisdiction does not allow for concurrent applications, you will have to wait until you receive your UBE score before you can apply for admission by score transfer in your secondary jurisdiction.