Is the MBE curved?

Asked by: Kacey Marks  |  Last update: October 26, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (12 votes)

In most states, anywhere between 130 and 140 should be a passing score on the MBE. Keep in mind that the MBE is curved. For example, you scored a 125 and needed a 135 to pass.

Is MBE score curved?

MBE score results consistently follow a bell curve pattern for every single bar exam administration. A few students have a very high MBE scaled score and some have a very low scaled score. Most bar takers fall right in the middle, within a few points of each other.

What is the format for the MBE exam?

Test Format

The MBE consists of 200 multiple-choice questions: 175 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions. The pretest questions are indistinguishable from those that are scored, so examinees should answer all questions.

Is the MBE out of 200 or 175?

Each MBE question is worth one point, with a maximum score of 175 points. This unscaled score is then normalized to a range from 0 to 200. Scores are modified to account for changes in test difficulty across the administration of the MBE.

How hard is it to pass the MBE?

This means you should get 60-62 questions correct on a 100-question practice test or 120-124 questions correct on a full MBE exam. If you are aiming for an MBE score of 136-140 (which is a passing MBE score in jurisdictions that require a 272-280 to pass) you should aim for 62%-65%.

How the UBE Bar Exam is Scaled (simplified)

28 related questions found

Is 60% on the MBE good?

If you are answering about 60-66% correct on the MBE, you are likely in the “safe zone.” A higher score than that is, of course, even better! If you are scoring lower than that, see below for tips. But also, make sure that you work on the written portion of the exam.

What is the hardest section on MBE?

Nevertheless, many future attorneys who have taken or are currently preparing for the bar exam seem to agree that the following three subjects are the most challenging:
  1. Real Property. ...
  2. Contracts. ...
  3. Civil Procedure.

What MBE score is 99th percentile?

Your percentile for the MBE Score is as follows:

A 180 is 99th percentile. A 170 is 98th percentile.

What is a perfect MBE score?

MBE Scores

The performance information provided for the MBE is a scaled score which can range from about 40 (low) to 200 (high). MBE scaled scores are calculated by NCBE based on a statistical process known as equating that is commonly used on standardized examinations.

What is the average raw MBE score?

You want to aim for a scaled score of at least 140-145 (which is the average score). Ideally, you should want a 150+ scaled score to have confidence to pass the exam.

How to memorize law for MBE?

Use Context-Based Memorization

You want to make sure when you've got a rule memorized, you're able to think about how that rule works in concept. A great way to do this is to think of a hypothetical MBE question or essay issue that could involve what you've memorized.

Is the MBE easy?

2) The MBE is hard

Most people regard the MBE as the hardest portion of the bar exam. The questions are rarely easy or straightforward. They can be tricky, and sometimes worded in a way that guides you to the wrong answer. The only upside of the MBE is, again, that you know ahead of time what subjects will be tested.

How many questions can you get wrong on the MBE?

That means you'll need to get 115 questions correct out of 190 — or that you can miss up to 75 questions and still pass the MBE!

Is the MBE easier than Barbri?

The Barbri invented questions are harder than the real MBE questions. (Real MBE questions are still difficult though.) The Barbri MBE compares you to how others score on the Barbri simulated MBE.

What is the lowest score to pass the MBE?

Well... in most states you really only need a score of 131-135 to pass the MBE®. Scoring higher than needed on the MBE exam is actually very beneficial, because in most states, any number over passing will be added to MEE score, which will give you a better chance of passing the exam!

How hard is it to get a 280 on the Ube?

A 300 is approximately the 90th percentile. A 280 is approximately the 73rd percentile. A 270 is approximately the 58th percentile. A 260 is approximately the 44th percentile.

What are the hardest MBE subjects?

What Are The Most Highly Tested MBE Topics?
  • Torts: (25 questions)
  • Evidence: (25 questions)
  • Real Property: (25 questions)
  • Contracts and Sales: (25 questions)
  • Civil Procedure (25 questions)
  • Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure: (25 questions)
  • Constitutional Law: (25 questions)

What percentage of MBE questions do you need to get right?

The short answer:

If you are aiming for a MBE score of 131-135 (which is a passing score in jurisdictions that require scores of 262-270 to pass), you should aim for 58%-62%. We suggest aiming for at least 60% to be safe.

Are bar essays curved?

Keep in mind that the MBE is curved. For example, you scored a 125 and needed a 135 to pass. A 10-point difference may seem small, but the percentile difference is much bigger, so you may need more preparation than you think to earn a passing score. The written portion of the UBE consists of the MEE and MPT.

What is a 125 score on the MBE?

In the case of the MBE, a raw score of 125 indicates that the candidate got more than half of the questions correct.

Is 99th percentile rare or common?

Only a small minority of students are in the 99th percentile, and its important to keep in mind other percentile ranges to understand where you potentially stand.

Is the top 1% the 99th percentile?

Percentile means people behind you. If you are in the top 10%, your are in the 90th percentile. If you are in the top 1%, you are in the 99th percentile.

Does the MBE repeat questions?

Sometimes students take lots of multiple choice practice exams, get to the bar exam, and are thrown off by the MBE's question format. Avoid this by taking old MBE questions. The NCBE doesn't reuse old MBE questions, but you may come across questions that are very similar.

Why are my MBE scores going down?

Your MBE scores might be getting worse if you dive right into timing practice with 100 question sets. This is a very overwhelming exercise and it takes a lot of skill to be able to complete one of these, let alone complete it with a high score. You need to build up to 100 questions by starting smaller.

Can you pass the bar with a low MBE score?

While it would be great to ace every potion of your bar exam, you don't necessarily need to get a passing MBE score to pass the bar. Often, students are able to balance out lower MBE scores with higher essays scores. In UBE states, the MBE and essays are weighted equally.