What percentage of the bar is MBE?
Asked by: Maymie Schimmel III | Last update: March 29, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (64 votes)
The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) typically makes up 50% of the total Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) score in most states, with the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and Multistate Performance Test (MPT) forming the other 50% (30% MEE, 20% MPT). However, in non-UBE states, the weighting varies, with the MBE sometimes being 40% to 50% or even less (e.g., Virginia at 33%). To pass the MBE itself, you generally need to answer around 60-65% of the questions correctly, depending on the jurisdiction's specific passing score, with aiming for 65-70% being a good strategy.
What is a 67% on the MBE?
We suggest aiming for at least 60% to be safe. 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 60% on MBE good?
Apprently 60% is right around passing in most jurisdictions Take . 6x175= 103 raw. It then makes sense to add about 25-37points to the raw score for an MBE scaled score of 128-140.
What's 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.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What does my MBE score mean?
Is a 318 on the bar exam good?
A good score is anything above your state's passing requirement, but a 280 or higher is strong in any UBE state and allows for easy score transfer. What is the average bar exam score? Most MBE scaled scores fall between 130 and 140. Total UBE scores tend to average just below the common passing score of 270.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
Is CPA harder than the bar?
While both are notoriously difficult, many people who've taken both find the CPA exam harder due to its marathon nature (four parts over 18 months) and broad technical scope, compared to the Bar's sprint (one multi-day test) focusing on legal application, though difficulty is subjective and depends on individual strengths in accounting vs. law. The CPA often has lower overall pass rates and requires passing four distinct sections, whereas the Bar tests a single, comprehensive body of legal knowledge, making the CPA feel more like a prolonged, demanding endurance test.
How many times did JFK Jr. fail the bar?
John F. Kennedy Jr. failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third attempt in July 1990, after first failing in November 1989 and February 1990. He had to pass on his third try to keep his job as a prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office.
What is the lowest score to pass the MBE?
In most states, a passing score is 131-125 for the MBE (Multistate Bar Exam). 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 Bar exam.
Is the MBE getting harder?
No, the MBE is not getting harder. The MBE scaled score is adjusted to take any differences in question difficulty into account. As a result, when the average score decreases from July to the next February or from one February to the next February, we can assume that the examinees were less proficient.
Is a 269 on the bar exam good?
A 269 on the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is a strong score that passes in most states but might be just shy of the highest-scoring jurisdictions (which often require 270+), making it a very solid, passing score that opens many doors, though some states like New York (270) or Massachusetts (270) are just out of reach without a few more points, but it's still a great result that qualifies you to practice law in a majority of U.S. jurisdictions.
Is 67% failing?
A 67% is generally not failing in the US, usually a low 'D' (passing) but sometimes considered unsatisfactory, varying by school, course (especially for core subjects like engineering), and country; in some systems (like the UK), it's a strong 'B' or '2:1', while in others (like primary/secondary in the US), it might be a low 'C' or even a fail if C is the minimum pass, so always check your specific grading scale.
What percentile is 160 on the MBE?
If you scored a 160, you were in the 88th percentile, which means you scored higher than 88 percent of examinees taking the MBE.
What is a 170 on the MBE?
Your percentile for the MBE Score is as follows:
A 170 is 98th percentile. A 165 if about 95th percentile. A 160 is about 90th percentile. A 155 is about 82nd percentile.
What is the hardest exam in the US?
Top 10 Toughest Exams in the United States
- USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) ...
- Uniform Bar Examination/ California Bar. ...
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam. ...
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Exam. ...
- NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) ...
- GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
Do lawyers or CPAs make more money?
Key Takeaways
Lawyers typically earn more than accountants, especially right out of school. Both professions offer opportunities in public and private sectors. Becoming a CPA involves specialized study and a state exam, but it's not always required.
How many people pass all four CPA exams first try?
While there's no official statistic, estimates suggest around 13% to 20% of candidates pass all four CPA exams on their first attempt, with individual section pass rates usually hovering around 40-50% (like FAR at ~40%, REG at ~60%), making consecutive first-time passes challenging. The overall difficulty means most candidates take multiple tries or the full 18-month window to pass all sections, not all at once.
How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?
Michelle Obama took the Illinois Bar Exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a common experience even for successful lawyers. She initially failed the bar, which was devastating, but she persevered and passed, later working as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady.
Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?
As of late 2025, Kim Kardashian is generally reported to be richer than Taylor Swift, with her net worth boosted significantly by her SKIMS brand, pushing her fortune to around $1.9 billion, while Swift's wealth is estimated at $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. Kardashian's business ventures, especially SKIMS' high valuation, have recently placed her ahead, though these figures fluctuate.
How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?
She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.
Has anyone ever gotten a perfect score on the bar exam?
It has probably happened before, but very rarely. Also, the “300 is the top 1%” is an oft-repeated falsehood. That statistic came from a single administration of a February exam.
What is the 90th percentile 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.
What is the average MBE score for July 2025?
National mean scaled MBE score for July 2025 rose to 142.4, highest since 2013. 46,959 examinees sat for the exam, a 6% drop from July 2024. Performance gains were driven by first-time test takers, according to NCBE.