New York Bar Exam Format for 2024
New York Bar Exam Overview - Structure
The New York bar exam format splits the exam into several components or sections. The exam consists of the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), and the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). These exam components make up the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). You must pass the exam in order to be admitted by exam (although you do not need to pass each section individually). Additionally, in order to be admitted to practice law in New York, you must also pass the separate Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE).
Sections - Parts - Components
Duration - How Long is the New York Bar Exam?
The New York bar exam is a two-day exam. The exam is given on the last Wednesday, and preceding Tuesday, of every February and July. Each of the two bar exam days has a morning session, a lunch break, and an afternoon session.
What is the New York Bar Exam Schedule Breakdown?
Day One: MPT and MEE
The morning session of the first day of the New York bar exam occurs from 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M., and the afternoon session occurs from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. The New York bar exam format for the first day consists of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) and the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE). The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBEX) provide the MPT and the MEE.
During the morning session, the New York bar examiners administer two MPT questions. You have three hours to answer both questions. Although you can use this time as you choose, the New York bar examiners estimate using 90 minutes for each MPT item.
During the afternoon session, the New York bar exam format consists of six MEE essay questions. You have three hours to answer all six questions. Although you can use this time as you choose, the New York bar examiners estimate using 30 minutes per essay question.
Day Two: MBE
The morning session of the second day of the New York bar exam occurs from 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M., and the afternoon session occurs from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. During each of the 3-hour sessions, you must answer 100 mixed-subject multiple-choice questions on the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), which is drafted by the NCBEX.