What is considered a high MBE score?

Asked by: Thomas Reinger Jr.  |  Last update: October 21, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (66 votes)

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 a good score on the MBE?

Each year, scores are further modified by the NCBE to account for test difficulty across MBE administration. Therefore, an average score on the MBE is between 140-145, but a scaled score of 150 or higher is considered a good MBE score. A “perfect” score on the MBE would be the top score of 200.

Is 66% on MBE good?

The short answer:

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%. If you are aiming for an MBE score of 144 (which is considered passing in California), you should aim for about 67%.

Is 155 a good MBE score?

Your percentile for the MBE Score is as follows:

A 160 is about 90th percentile. A 155 is about 82nd percentile. A 150 is about 72nd percentile. A 145 is about 62nd percentile.

Is 295 a good bar score?

In order to pass the Uniform Bar Exam, examinees must earn a score of at least 260 on the MBE and MEE. However, a score of 280 is generally considered to be a good score, and a score of 300 to 330 (highest score on bar exam) is considered to be excellent.

What does my MBE score mean?

34 related questions found

Is 300 a good bar exam score?

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.

Is 292 a good bar exam score?

Your overall score

Uniform Bar Exam states require a score between 260 and 280 to pass the Uniform Bar Exam. So, if your score was above 280, you technically received a score that is considered passing in every Uniform Bar Exam state. Congratulations if that is the case.

Is a 135 on the MBE good?

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!

What is a 165 on the MBE?

You can see if you scored a 165, you are in the 98th percentile (meaning you scored higher than 98% of examinees.) If you scored a 110, you are in the 7th percentile (meaning you scored higher than 7% of examinees – so you need to work on your MBE score!)

What is the average MBE score in July 2024?

MADISON, WISCONSIN, August 29, 2024—The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) announced today that the national mean scaled score for the July 2024 Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) was 141.8, an increase of about 1.3 points compared to the July 2023 mean of 140.5 and the highest July MBE mean since 2013, ...

Is the MBE getting harder?

We don't think the MBE is getting harder, but that doesn't mean you don't have to adequately prepare. The MBE tests Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts & Sales, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. These subjects are divided equally among the 200 MBE questions.

How can I improve my MBE score?

How to Improve Your MBE Score 20 or More Points
  1. Make sure you have good outlines. ...
  2. Make sure you understand the law. ...
  3. Memorize the law. ...
  4. Apply the law methodically. ...
  5. When you answer an MBE question incorrectly, write it down! ...
  6. Bonus Tip: Make sure you are using real MBE Questions!

What is the highest MBE score reddit?

For 2023, the highest across both February and July was 190.6. In 2022, it was 191.2. In 2018, 188.3. So it doesn't seem like anyone has gotten a perfect score on the MBE, at least as far back as statistics are freely available online.

Is 60% enough to pass MBE?

These are the approximate scores you want to aim for in order to have a passing MBE score: If you are aiming for a MBE converted score of 131-135 (which is a passing score in most 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.

How good is an MBE?

The MBE is the third esteemed tier within the order, recognising individuals for significant achievements or service. The MBE is awarded to those who make substantial contributions at the local or regional level.

What is a good simulated MBE score?

A raw score of 120 – 125 (63% – 66%) score should put you in a relatively “safe” zone. *If you are getting around this number on your practice MBE's (and I hope you are using real MBE questions, not some Barbri test) you should be in good shape!

What is the average 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.

What does MBE honor mean?

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

The Order of the British Empire was established by King George V in 1917 to honour those who had served in a non-combative role and expanded the Order to reward contributions to the Arts, Sciences, Charitable work and Public Service.

What is the highest possible MBE score?

The performance information provided for the MBE is a scaled score which can range from about 40 (low) to 200 (high).

Can you fail the MBE and still pass the bar?

The answer, in most states, is yes. In most states, as long as you make up for any lost points on the essay portion of the exam, you can fail the MBE and still pass the bar exam. For example, in New York, you need a 266 out of 400 potential points to pass the bar exam.

How do I read my MBE score?

The MBE is scored on a scale that can range from 40 (low) to 200 (high). Raw MBE scores (i.e., the number you actually got correct out of the 175 scored MBE questions) are scaled using a statistical process called equating which is supposed to account for the difference in difficulty between exams.

What is the hardest bar exam to pass?

Is The California Bar Exam Hard? Yes, the California bar exam is widely considered to be the most difficult of all state bar exams in the US. The California bar exam has a pass rate of 34%.

What is the top 1% score on the bar exam?

A 300 is in about the 90th percentile, and 330 is in the top 1% of all scores. Keep in mind that out of the 200 points that make up the MPT and the MEE, only 175 of them are actually scored, and the remainder are considered to be 'pretest' questions that do not count towards your overall score.

How many MBE questions to pass?

We'll say you should aim for a raw score of about 115. This raw score is the number correct that an examinee got out of 190. So, do the math: 115/190 = 60.52%. That is the approximate percentage of questions that you need to answer correctly to “pass” the MBE in a state that requires a 133 as a passing MBE score.