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Reviewed: 04/25/24
The MPRE exam is one of several tests law students must complete for bar admission. Read on to learn more about this exam to begin preparing for it!
Aspiring lawyers must complete various exams to work in the field. These are called the bar exams and are made up of multiple tests. One of these tests is the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
Whether this is the first time you have heard about the MPRE exam or you have questions about the test, this guide will tell you everything you need to know, how to study for the MPRE, and when it’s offered.
The MPRE is a two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice exam that tests knowledge of ethical standards and professional conduct for lawyers. It is required for bar admission in most U.S. jurisdictions except Wisconsin and Puerto Rico.
Your most pressing question about the MPRE is how to study for it. Luckily, there are various resources available to help you ace this exam!
Many students opt to take a professional responsibility course in law school to help prepare them for this exam, as this course focuses on many of the same content that will be seen on the MPRE.
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), the administrators of the MPRE, have created a comprehensive list of the major subject matter that will be tested on the exam. This list can be your basic starting guide for focusing your studies so you don’t waste valuable time studying unnecessary material.
Since the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct will mainly be tested, you should thoroughly review these rules to prepare for the exam.
Like with anything else, practice makes perfect. An excellent way to study is to complete sample questions and exams, which can be purchased through NCBE. You can also review the free sample questions NCBE offers to begin dipping your toes in the water.
But the best method to excel on your MPRE is to work smarter, not harder! Juris can offer you the resources to maximize your chances of success while minimizing stress.
You can get personalized support from MPRE tutors who have completed and aced the exam. These tutors can give you the best insights and increase your chances of passing three times!
The MPRE exam is two hours long and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. Students have around two minutes to complete each question; however, some may take less or more time.
While there are 60 questions on the MPRE, only 50 are scored, and the remaining 10 are unscored pretest questions. However, you won’t be able to distinguish which questions are unscored, so you should treat them all like they’re being scored. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers.
MPRE scores are graded on a scale from 50 to 150. The required passing score depends on your jurisdiction.
Considering this range, you might be wondering how the MPRE is scored. Scores are calculated using a method known as equating. This process adjusts your raw scores by comparing the differences in difficulty in previous examinations.
Scores are released around five weeks after the examination date and will be posted on your NCBE account.
To register for the MPRE exam, follow these steps:
Create an account with NCBE.
Apply for accommodations if required.
Log into your account, choose MPRE registration, fill in the required information, and request your authorization to test.
Within 24 hours, you should receive authorization to test in your email.
You must schedule an appointment to test and pay the test fee within 48 hours of receiving your authorization to test.
Much like the LSAT, the MPRE is offered a limited number of times yearly. The following chart will detail the three exam dates, accommodation, and payment deadlines. Regardless of when you write your exam, the registration fee is $160.
Source: NCBE
Many students choose to write the August exam so they don’t have to worry about studying while still in school.
Most students take the MPRE in March or August between their 2L and 3L years. Before taking the MPRE, most students will have completed their Professional Responsibility course.
It’s a good idea to take the MPRE as close as possible to the end of your PR course. Don’t take it before you’ve taken PR.
The MPRE tests your knowledge of the laws surrounding the professional conduct of lawyers and judges. You’ll need to know the disciplinary rules of conduct according to the ABA and principles and rules regarding law discipline.
The NCBE provides a subject matter outline for the MPRE, which contains the following topics:
The most important thing to bring to the MPRE is your identification. You’ll need two forms of original, unexpired ID: government-issued primary and secondary ID. Ensure that the name on your ID matches the name you used to register.
Your primary ID must include a recent photo, signature, and first and last name. Primary ID forms include:
Your secondary ID must include your first and last name and a signature or recent photo. Secondary ID forms include:
You won’t be allowed any personal items in the testing room except for certain permitted comfort aids, such as bandages, casts, EpiPens, eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc.
You can bring personal items with you, but they must be stored outside the testing room. You may bring a sweater in case of cold temperatures, but you may be asked to roll up your sleeves.
While there is no scheduled break during the exam, you should also bring water or food for when you finish.
The MPRE is a difficult exam, but here are some tips to help you get through it!
If you still have questions about the exam, here are the answers to frequently asked questions about the MPRE.
MPRE stands for Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination.
Many students take the MPRE exam during their second or third year of law school. Taking the summer examination is a good idea to ensure you have enough time and energy to focus on studying.
No, the bar exam is generally more complex. The MPRE is only two hours long, whereas the bar exam spans two days. The bar exam also tests more subjects and consists of several exams.
Most students study for the MPRE for at least a month, dedicating 8-10 hours per week to studying.
Some students find the MPRE exam difficult, but it’s not the most challenging test. It covers precise information that can generally be studied within a few weeks but requires focus and good memorization skills.
You should dedicate enough time to studying, build a good schedule, complete practice questions, and enlist the help of trusted experts.
To achieve a passing score of 85 on the MPRE, you need to answer approximately 60% of the scored questions correctly, which translates to about 30 out of the 50 questions that are actually counted toward your score.
You can take the MPRE at Pearson VUE testing centers across the country. However, there is no guarantee that you can take the exam in the same state where you reside, as you’re assigned a testing center once you register.
You can, however, choose to report your score to any jurisdiction, no matter where you sit to take the exam.
Now that you’ve been prepped on everything you need to know about the MPRE exam, you should begin creating the perfect study plan. With Juris, you’ll have less stress and hassle and the empowerment to crack the MPRE and realize your dreams!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
