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Please use the section below to access basic details about Bar Success skills sessions and other info about Bar success or MPRE that test-takers need to know.
This info is provided for your convenience. You are encouraged to get the most updated info for specific state bars through the links provided.
Course Selection
You should consider taking courses that are tested on the bar exam of the state in which you plan to apply for a license to practice law. See the following two documents to help you decide on courses.
We encourage you to complete these two exercises so that you know how you are situated to sit for your Bar Exam. You may make in individual one-on-one appointment to discuss your completed exercises.
All states, outside of Wisconsin, require you to sit for their Bar Exam to practice law in that state. Each state tests differently, so make sure to check with your state to see how you will be tested. A list of requirements by state is below.
Bar Requirements by State: This info is provided for your convenience. You are encouraged to get the most updated info for specific state bars through the links provided.
Types of Tests Offered by State (PDF): This info is provided for your convenience. You are encouraged to get the most updated info for specific state bars through the links provided.
Bar Success Skills Sessions
Bar Success Skills Sessions
Bar Success Skills Sessions are offered each Fall and Spring semester. Please check back for session details closer to the fall semester.
Dates
Time
TBD
TBD
Goals:
Bar Success Skills Sessions builds on analytical, writing, and organizational skills that students use during their law school years with the goal of enhancing students' ability to prepare for the bar exam. Although most intensive preparation for the bar will occur in the six to eight weeks before the bar exam, this class will give students a foundational jump-start by introducting them to:
The format and components of the bar exam
The scope of preparing for the 3 tests on the Bar Exam
Test-specific strategies for the MPT, Essay Writing, and MBE
Bar Success specific study and organiztional skills
This class is not intended to replace commercial bar preparation courses. They complement such courses well and will enhance critical reading, thinking, and writing skills to maximize the chances of success on the bar exam.
Scope of the Sessions:
This class focuses on 3 aspects of the bar exams: the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), Essay Exam (the MEE/ State essay), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). Focus will be devoted to components of each test so that students konw what to expect and strategies to adopt for successful performance on each test. Students will:
Learn review methods for tested areas of law;
Complete practice essay, multiple-choice and performance test questions;
Engage in small-group learning during class, and
Receive individual feedback on written answers.
What you should know about Bar Success Skills Sessions:
It is free
It is not graded
It is not for credit
Why should you take the class?
To get a head-start on preparing for the Bar Exam by becoming familiar with the expectations and scope of the exam.
To learn HOW (skills) to answer questions on each of the 3 tests.
Is this different from the commercial prep courses like BarBri, Themis, Kaplan, etc.?
Yes, the commercial courses focus a lot more on the "what" (contents) of the subjects tested on the bar exam. The prep class emphasizes the "how".
It is well established that test-takers need to master both the how and the what to do well on the Bar Exam. Please respond to indicate your interest in taking any of these classes and/or if you have questions.
Bar Exams: Test Information
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE)
The Bar Exam is composed of 3 tests and the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) develops and adminsters them:
See below for more information about the MBE, MEE, and MPT. Note that not all States use the MEE for essay-testing--- use the links below to view state-specific essay questions for states not using the MEE.
Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is a 200-question multiple choice exam administered over two 3-hour sessions. The goal of the MBE is to assess the extent to which the test taker can apply fundemantal legal principles and legal reasoning to analyze given fact patterns.
Many state bar examiners release essay and performance test questions used on prior Bar Exams. In addition, some states release sample answers to these exam questions. If you intent to take a certain state's bar exam, review the past questions and answers as part of your Bar Exam preparation. Links to many state's released questions are listed below.
The Multistate Performance Test is a 90-minute test designed to test the ability of the test-taker to complete assigned routine tasks that a new attorney is expected to perform in the practice of law. It is intended to test a test-taker’s ability to use fundamental lawyering skills in a realistic situation.
According to the NCBE, the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is a two-hour, 60 multiple-choice examination that is administered three times per year.
It is required for admission to the bars of all but two US jurisdictions (Wisconsin and Puerto Rico).
Note: Connecticut and New Jersey accept successful completion of a law school course on professional responsibility in lieu of a passing score on the MPRE.
Special note for LLM students: Wisconsin requires MPRE to get licensed to practice law.
Becasue MPRE requirements vary from one jurisdiction to another, candidates are advised to check with the bar admission agency in the jurisdiction to which they seek admission before registering for the MPRE.
Passing scores are established by each jurisdiction.
