What subjects are tested on the MBE bar exam?

Asked by: Dr. Donavon Hickle  |  Last update: January 23, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (34 votes)

The 175 scored questions on the MBE are distributed evenly, with 25 questions from each of the seven subject areas: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.

What subjects are on the MBE bar exam?

Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) Bar Examination

This portion tests seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.

What is the most tested subject on the bar exam?

Civil Procedure

Jurisdiction and venue, pretrial processes, and motions are the most frequently tested subjects.

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 subjects are being removed from the bar?

However, according to a June 8, 2023 NCBE memorandum, the UBE is changing in 2026 to test the same subjects as the NextGen Bar Exam (Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts) and eliminating the other subjects (Conflict of Laws ...

Bar exam expert Keith Elkin explains best way to approach the MBE.mp4

24 related questions found

Is family law on the MBE?

As previously announced, starting in July 2026, conflict of laws, family law, trusts and estates, and secured transactions will not appear on the MEE component of the current bar exam but may still appear on the MPT.

What states can you pass the bar without a degree?

Currently, Washington, Vermont, California and Virginia are the only four states that allow this process. Wyoming, New York and Maine allow lawyers to practice without earning a J.D. degree, although they must have at least some law school experience.

Which state has the easiest bar exam?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?

Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!

Is bar exam harder than law school?

The LSAT tests logical reasoning and reading comprehension for law school admission, while the bar exam requires extensive legal knowledge and practical skills to obtain a license to practice law. The bar exam's broader scope and depth of material make it more challenging for most candidates.

Are MBE questions repeated?

Although many of the same topics, sub-topics, and rules (“topics”) have been repeated on past MBE questions, there is NO GUARANTEE that any future MBE will test the same or similar topics that have appeared on past exams.

What are the odds I passed the bar exam?

The bar exam pass rate is typically between 60-80% depending on your bar exam state. That means that 20-40% of people who sit for that bar exam do not pass.

Are remedies tested on the bar exam?

Remedies is regularly tested on the California Bar Exam and is often combined with other subjects. The California Bar Exam often tests Remedies in the same way. In fact, some Remedies essay questions are nearly identical to one another!

What are the hardest subjects on the bar exam?

So... the most tested MBE subjects & topics …
  • 1 - Civil Procedure. The most heavily tested Civil Procedure topics are: ...
  • 2 - Constitutional Law. The most heavily weighted topic in Constitutional Law is Individual Rights. ...
  • 3 - Contracts. ...
  • 4 - Criminal Law & Procedure. ...
  • 5 - Evidence. ...
  • 6 - Real Property. ...
  • 7 - Torts.

What MBE score do I need to pass?

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.

Who accepts the MBE?

As a component of the bar exam, prospective attorneys must pass the MBE in order to practice law in every US jurisdiction except Puerto Rico and Louisiana.

Does the baby bar make you a lawyer?

1. Does Passing the Baby Bar Make You a Lawyer? No, it doesn't. Passing the baby bar allows first-year law students to receive credit for the education they have completed and allows them to continue completing their JD.

How many times has Kim failed the bar?

Kim Kardashian

The American media personality, model, and businesswoman failed the California baby bar exam three times after she announced her dream of being a lawyer in 2019. She passed the California baby bar on her fourth attempt in 2021.

How many times can you take the bar exam?

There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California. While it may come as a relief to many students who are planning to take the bar exam in California that there are no limits, California's bar exam is known for being one of the hardest exams in the U.S.

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

Florida and California are the most challenging states to become a lawyer in terms of passing the bar exam. Their bar exams are considered the most difficult to pass. Those two states do not have reciprocity with other states regarding honoring those who have passed the bar exam in other states.

What is the hardest bar exam in the world?

The Toughest Bar Exams in the World
  • The South Korea Bar Exam. Passing Rate: 5% ...
  • The Japanese Bar Exam. Passing Rate: 2% but after 2006 it's at 33% ...
  • The New York State Bar Exam. Passing Rate: 70-75%, 78% in 2013. ...
  • The Philippine Bar Exam. Passing Rate: Between 20 to 30% but in 2012 it dipped to % (2nd lowest all time) ...
  • Insights.

Why is it called the bar exam?

The exam's name actually derives from this very idea of division by referencing the physical “bar” railing that would divide courtrooms. The outer side of the bar would be for public observation, while the inner side would contain the judge's bench where the actual court proceedings would occur.

Can you be a lawyer without going to law school suits?

If you meet the study requirements, you can skip law school and go straight to take the California bar exam.