The Bar Exam

Associate Dean of Students Carin Crain

 Uniform Bar Examination (UBE)
| Administered in February & July

Tests knowledge and skills that every

lawyer should be able to demonstrate

The 3 Components of the UBE:

1. Multistate Bar Examination (50%)

2. Multistate Essay Examination

(30%),

3. Multistate Performance Test tasks

(20%), http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/ube
Maine
New
UBE!
UBE
Uniform Bar Examination

UBE
MBE MEE MPT

Weight given to each examination

MBE: 50%
MEE: 30%
MPT: 20%

http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/ube
 Multistate Bar Exam
(MBE)
Incorporates law from several legal subjects
into hypothetical problem-solving, multiple
choice questions
200 multiple-choice questions / 6 hours
Covers material relating to 7 legal practice
areas:

1. Civil Procedure 5. Evidence,

2. Contracts 6. Real Property
3. Constitutional Law 7. Torts
4. Criminal Law & Procedure
 Multistate Essay Exam
(MEE)
Largely Administering States Common Law
6 essay questions , 30 minutes for each question
Essay questions can cover any of the following areas:
Business associations (Agency, Partnership, LLCs)
Civil Procedure
Conflict of Laws
Constitutional Law
Contracts (including Article 2 of the UCCSales
Crim Law and Crim Pro
Evidence
Family Law
Real Property Torts
Trusts and Estates (Decedents Estates, Trusts, and Future Interests)
Article 9 of the UCCSecured Transactions

FULL LIST OF SUBJECTSNCBE Subject matter outline:

http://www.ncbex.org/pdfviewer/?file=%2Fdmsdocument%2F183

Shows your ability to communicate effectively through writing

 Multistate Performance
Test (MPT)
A written performance test measuring your
ability to use lawyering skills in realistic
situations
Complete 2 lawyerly tasks / 90 minutes for each
item

Jurisdictions may select one or both MPT

items to include as part of their bar
examinations
UBE states use both MPT items
 Multistate Professional
Responsibility Exam
(MPRE)
Designed to measure the knowledge and
understanding of established standards related to
a lawyer's professional conduct
60 multiple-choice questions/ 125 minutes

JURISDICTION REQUIREMENTS:
Required by all but 3 U.S. jurisdictions: WI, MD, and Puerto Rico
CT and NJ waive the MPRE for bar candidates who have earned a
C or better in a law school professional responsibility course
The Iowa Bar requires applicants to have a passing MPRE score on
file prior to sitting for the barapplicants must have taken the MPRE
the previous November or earlier.
If you have not taken the MPRE you must ask IAs Board of
Law Examiners for permission to post after the deadline
(instructions are online on the MPRE website and in 31.3(2) of
MPRE
Multistate Professional Responsibility
Examination

JURISIDICTIONS
NOT USING MPRE:
Maryland
Wisconsin

http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mpre/which-jurisdictions-
administer-the-mpre/
MPRE: Dates & Deadlines
 MPRE Prep

Barbri, Kaplan & Themis offer free MPRE

Practice materials
Visit their websites or speak to the Iowa Law
Representatives when they table in the lobby
NCBE also has an online MPRE practice exam
for $35 as well
Exam Prep: AdaptiBar
Exam Prep: Barbri

Iowa Bar
Review
School
Ofered
through
Barbri
Cost:
~$1,300
 Example of a Barbri
schedule
Typical bar prep day:

9am-1pm Class

Afternoon practice essays

(usually two hours) and two
practice multiple choice sets
(approximately two hours).

Evening- read approximately 20-40

pages of outline for tomorrows
First three weeks
sample
Exam Prep: Kaplan
Exam Prep: Themis
Example of Themis
Schedule
Directed Study Schedule
Example Daily Task List:
Depending on the day, you
will do a mix of watching
lectures, completing practice
MBE question sets,
practice and graded essays,
practice exams and personal
review.
Between 6-8 hours
a day.
Example of First
Week With Themis

Key Features:
Segmented Lectures-short
15-20 minute lectures with
a fillable handout and an
assessment quiz after each.
2,500+ MBE Practice
Questions
Unlimited essay grading
and a personal attorney
grader that stays with you
for the entire course.
Checkpoint practice exams
and a full simulated bar
exam.
 CALIFORNIA Exam
Samples
C.A. Provides Past Exams & Model
Answers Through There Website

CA State Bar > Examinations > Past Exams

http://admissions.calbar.ca.gov/Examinati
ons/PastExams.aspx
CALIFORNIA Exam
Samples
IOWA: Law Student Registration Form
&
Bar Exam Application
 IOWA: Law Student Registration Form
&
Bar Exam Application

a re
s
fo r m P DF
o t h e i n
B a b l m e
a i l r e
a v S u p s ite
on t Web
o u r
C
IOWA: Intent to Practice
Iowa Court Rule 31.7

Rule 31.7 Affidavit of intent to practice.

31.7(1) All applicants for the Iowa bar examination

shall demonstrate a bona fide intention to practice
law in Iowa or another UBE jurisdiction. This showing
must be by affidavit made before an officer
authorized to administer oaths and having a seal (a
notary suffices).

31.7(2) The affidavit must include the applicants

designation of the clerk of the supreme court as the
applicants agent for service of process in Iowa for all
purposes.
 IOWA: References
Iowa Court Rule 31.2(4) states that registration shall be
accompanied by letters prepared by three persons not related
to applicant by consanguinity or affinity attesting to the
registrants good moral character. The letters must be signed
and shall include contact information for the reference provider. The
letters shall state how the reference knows the registrant, how long the
reference has known the registrant, and the basis for concluding the
applicant possesses good moral character.
a. How does the recommender know the applicant?
b. For how long?
c. Can the recommender attest to the good moral character of
the applicant examples preferred.
d. Email, phone and signature of the recommender required.

It does not matter whether the letter is typed or hand written. In

fact, the applicant may even draft the letter for the review and
signature of the recommender.
 IOWA: Fingerprints

Some jurisdictions, e.g. Iowa, require fingerprints along with your bar
application

Where can you get them done?

The University of Iowa Department of Public Safety
http://police.uiowa.edu/

Hours:
Mon Tues: 10:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
Wed Fri: 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

$10 for University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students

(cost covered for registered students of the Iowa Bar Review)

http://police.uiowa.edu/stay-informed/faq/
 ILLINOIS: Starting an application
with the Board

https://www.ilbaradmissions.org/home
 ILLINOIS: Bar Exam
Application

ps://www.ilbaradmissions.org/information-and-applications
 ILLINOIS:
For Those Previously Registered as

a Law Student

ps://www.ilbaradmissions.org/userhome.action, you have to first register

ILLINOIS: Applications ONLY Available
ONLINE
ILLINOIS: Forms & Progress
ILLINOIS: Photo Submission Form

No longer require applicants to

provide the Photo Submission
Form.

Applicants simply to upload a

photo for use as a photo badge
at the exam

Photos must be passport

quality with white background
and full face view

Noncomplying photos will be

rejected and applicant will not
 The NCBE Number
You must obtain an NCBE number from the NCBE
before you will be permitted to apply for bar exams.
TO OBTAIN AN NCBE NUMBER: NCBEX.ORG

If you have already taken the MPRE

you have an NCBE number. Access your
NCBE Dashboard to retrieve it.
 Notaries

Many of Iowa Laws staff members are

notaries, including:
Grace Tully
Rene Schilling-Arps
Becky Yoder
Craig Spitzer
Mishelle Eckland
Deb Paul
Non Standard Testing Accommodations

Any qualified applicant seeking nonstandard

testing accommodations on the basis of a
disability must file all properly completed
nonstandard testing accommodation request
forms simultaneously with the remaining paper
portion of his or her bar exam application.
Please see the jurisdictions website for those
instructions.
 Bar Applicants &
Accommodations
In an effort to assist bar applicants with disabilities, the
Commission on Mental and Physical Disability law has
complied a directory of bar information for applicants with
disabilities (BIAD) that provides relevant information from
state, territorial, and federal jurisdictions that grant licenses
to practice law.

ILLINOIS: Nonstandard Testing Accommodation (NTA) is

the form of accommodations provided to applicants with
disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA)
A NTA accommodation may deviate from the standard testing
schedule.
NTA requests are reviewed by an outside consultant and require
specific documentation.
 Administrative
Accommodation (IL)
An Administrative Accommodation (AA) provides a
courtesy arrangement for applicants with certain health-
related issues in standard test rooms followingthe
standard testing schedule.

Common examples of AA requests:

MEDICAL DEVICE
SPECIAL SEATING
MEDICATION
BREAST PUMPING
 ILLINOIS Bar Exam will be administered
Tuesday, July 25 and Wednesday, July 26, 2017.

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017 WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017

Morning:
Illinois Essay Exam (IEE)
3 essay questions (90 mins)
Multistate Performance Test
(MPT)
a written assignment based
on a realistic situation (90
mins)
Afternoon:
Multistate Essay Exam (MEE)
6 essay questions (3 hours)
Topics(Administrative Law;
Agency; Commercial Paper;
Conflicts of Laws . . . )
Morning:
Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)
100 multiple-choice( 3 hours)
Afternoon:
MBE (cont.)
100 multiple-choice(3 hours)
Topics(Constitutional Law
(33); Contracts/Sales (34);
Criminal Law & Procedure
(33); Evidence (33); Real
Property (33); Torts (34))

http://www.jmls.edu/academic_achievement/il-bar-overview.php
 IOWA
Monday, July 24 - Wednesday July 26, 2017.

MONDAY, JULY 24 TUESDAY, JULY 25 WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

The written exams are
Wednesday is the
administered
Mandatory Multistate Bar Exam, or
Tuesday and will
registration and MBE.
consist of two 90
orientation will be 100 multiple choice
minute Multistate
in the afternoon. questions will be
Performance Test
administered with 3
(MPT) question in
hours to complete them
the morning.
in the morning.
Lunch Break
Lunch Break
Six 30 minute
Another 100 multiple
Multistate Essay
choice questions with 3
questions (MEE) are
hours to complete them
administered in the
in the afternoon.
afternoon.
 Missouri
Tuesday, July 25 & Wednesday July 26, 2017.
 ILLINOIS & MISSOURI:
Notice of Eligibility

Approximately 2 weeks prior to the exam,

a notice of eligibility will post to your
user homepage, this notice will include
your seat assignment.

You must print the notice and bring it

with you to the exam.

Once at the exam, you will also be asked

to present valid photo identification.
ILLINOIS: Laptop Registration

Additional and separate $105 registration fee to take the

written portion of the test on your laptop.
*Registration opens June 8 and closes June 22 (may
vary)

The Board will not entertain requests to be placed on

the laptop roll after the registration ends or if the
program is filled.

Please contact Thenrikson@ilbaradmissions.org with

any questions.
 ILLINOIS: Laptop
Announcement
Feb 2017 LAPTOP USERS:
IF YOUR MACBOOK HAS TOUCH BAR ENABLEDYOU
IMMEDIATELY FAIL AND ARE DISMISSED [uncertain whether
Touch Bar will still be a problem for July 2017 Bar.]

Due to security concerns, applicants will NOT be allowed to use

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar at the Iowa Bar Exam. Applicants who
bring one of these laptops to the exam, even with the touch bar disabled,
will not be permitted to use them and will have to handwrite the
examination. We expect ExamSoft will have a permanent fix in place for
future exams.

We are hoping that making this decision at this time will give any users
adequate time to secure another laptop for the test and re-download
the software. ExamSoft representatives have indicated they will waive
the re-download fee for those with MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. We
are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
https://www.ilbaradmissions.org/notice.action
IOWA: Laptop
Registration
Additional and separate registration fee will apply if you wish
to take the written portion of the test on your laptop.

The exam requires a bar-specific version of ExamSoft.

Iowa does not allow testing on tablets [at this time].

For more information on fees, registration, and deadlines,

visit:
http://www.iowacourts.gov/For_Attorneys/Bar_Inform
ation__Admissions/Bar_Exam_Schedule_Fees__Applic
ations/
IOWA: Laptop
Requirements
The exam requires a bar-specific version of ExamSoft.

Go to: http://go.examsoft.com/barexamsystemrequirements
MISSOURI: Laptop
Registration
Additional and separate registration fee will apply if you wish
to take the written portion of the test on your laptop.

The exam requires a bar-specific version of ILG Bar Exam360

For more information on fees, registration, and deadlines,

visit: https://www.mble.org/laptop-program-for-
barexam
NO WEAPONS

Weapons, including but not limited to

guns and knives, are prohibited at
the exam site, even if you have a
permit to carry them.

ILLINOIS: Electronic devices and other
exam day rules
NO CELLULAR OR
MOBILE TELEPHONES
OR COMMUNICATION
DEVICES OF ANY
KIND at the exam site
or during an exam
session.
NO WEAPONS,
including guns and
knives, even if you have
a permit to carry.
ps://www.ilbaradmissions.org/two-day-examination-instructions
scratch paper or
papers of any kind,
study materials,
backpacks, hats,
bandanas, coats,
purses or handbags,
calculators, fitness
trackers, weapons,
headphones, rulers, ear
muffs, ear plugs, gum,
mints, lip balm, food or
beverages, cellular or
mobile phones,
scanners, calculators,
iPods, iPads, iPad minis,
and other electronic
devices will not be
allowed in the exam
room
 MISSOURI: Permitted
Day 2 Items
Government-issued photo ID

At least two wooden Soft-lead (No.
2 or HD) pencils with erasers and a
manual pencil sharpener (no
Day 1 mechanical pencils or other
Government-issued photo ID writing instruments allowed)
Laptop computer (any external Clear quart-size plastic bag that
keyboard or mouse MUST be wired - no can contain ONLY your hotel room
wireless or Bluetooth enabled key, car keys, credit/debit card,
keyboard/mouse allowed). cash, feminine hygiene products
Clear quart-size plastic bag that can and/or eyeglasses (no cases). [You
contain ONLY your hotel room key, car must complete a Health-related or
keys, credit/debit card, cash, feminine Medical Condition Notice Form to
hygiene products and/or eyeglasses have any other health-related or
(no cases). [You must complete a medical items pre-approved.]
Health-related or Medical Condition Light sweater or jacket.
Notice Form to have any other health- Only #2 pencils may be used
related or medical items pre-approved.] duringWednesdaysMBE
Light sweater or jacket. sessions.
Only pencils, pens, and All personal items must remain
highlighters/markers may be under your chair during the testing
used on Tuesday. Use only sessions and are subject to
inspection by examination personnel.
black ink pens.
All personal items must remain under
your chair during the testing sessions
and are subject to inspection by
examination personnel.
ps://www.ilbaradmissions.org/two-day-examination-instructions
 Full Disclosure
Your answer to each question on your bar
application must be forthcoming and candid.

Disclose, disclose, disclose! If there are

inconsistencies there are going to be questions
about that . . you can explain virtually anything
that went wrong; you can never explain a cover-
up.
C.A. State Bar Deputy Executive Director.

.
 IOWA: Disclosure
Non-academic

E. Personal History
1. Have you ever (either as an adult or juvenile) been cited or
arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any violation of the
law? (You must disclose each instance; even if you were
granted any type of pretrial diversion; even if filed charges
were dismissed; even if such charges resulted in a deferred
adjudication; even if you were acquitted of such charges; or
even if such charges resulted in a conviction that was reversed,
set aside, vacated, or expunged. You need not, however,
disclose speeding or parking violations.)
--quoted from The University of Iowa College of Law application
2. The Iowa Exam Application also requires disclosure of
speeding tickets.
READ YOUR STATES DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!
 Academic Disclosure

E. Personal History
2. Have you ever been dismissed or placed on probation
by any school or college for either academic or
disciplinary reasons?
--quoted from The University of Iowa College of Law application
 Tickets
Common Traffic Violations
 Where to get information on
citations?

To obtain citation information you may

contact one or all of the following and
request your record

1. County Police
2. City Police
3. State Police
4. Auto Insurance Company
5. Department of Motor Vehicles
6. Iowacourts.gov always check the online
court records before filling out an application.
ILLINOIS: Character and
Fitness
Character References
Six personal references and two law school professor
references areGrequested
- Question 26, & question 27, H of IL Character & Fitness Questionnaire for Bar App

Employment
All non-legal employment within the last ten
years (may exclude if less than 6 months)
and all legal employment you have ever held
(may exclude all unpaid internships).
-Question 24, E & question 25, F of IL Character
& Fitness Questionnaire for Bar Application
ILLINOIS: TRAFFIC

Serious Traffic
Have you EVER been charged with a traffic violation involving
- Question
felonious conduct or the use or possession of 49, J of IL or
alcohol Character
drugs &orFitness
Questionnaire for Bar Application
which resulted in time spent in custody, a fine of $350 or more,
or the revocation or suspension of your drivers license?
Traffic questions pertains to ALL violations even if pled
down, dismissed, expunged or sealed!
 ILLINOIS: Criminal
Matters
During last 25 years, including when you were a juvenile
been formally or informally detained, restrained, cited,
summoned into court, taken into custody, arrested,
accused, charged, convicted, placed on probation, placed
on supervision, or forfeited collateral in connection with
ANY offense against the law or an ordinance, or accused of
committing a delinquent act, other than traffic offenses?
 ILLINOIS: Debt
Questions regarding financial
irresponsibility include but are
not limited to :

Late payments to creditors

Credit accounts revoked, involuntarily

closed or canceled,
referred to collection or charged off

Defaulted student loans

Bankruptcy
 ILLINOIS: As a general
rule
Overdue credit obligations must be
paid in full or the applicant must
have undertaken substantial
repayment in accordance with terms
agreeable to the creditor before the
Committee will recommend
certification.
ILLINOIS: Character and Fitness
Approval Process (+IOWA)

Once background investigations are

complete, files are either granted in-
house approval or, in cases of
significant matter(s) of concern, are
referred to a member of the
Committee on Character and Fitness.
 The Board of Law Examiners

All are local attorneys and/or judges.

All are licensed in Illinois and appointed

by the Illinois Supreme Court.
 ILLIOIS: Referral Guidelines
Files may be referred to the Character and Fitness Committee on
the basis of disclosed or discovered information including but
not limited to:
Felony conviction,
Serious misdemeanor,
Pattern of disregard for the law in general including multiple
traffic violations,
Academic misconduct,
Evidence of conduct indicating instability or impaired judgment,
Misconduct in employment,
History of alcohol, drug or gambling abuse, and

ANY NON DISCLOSURE or LACK OF CANDOR to the Board

or on any law school application
including making false statements, plagiarism, bankruptcy or
negative credit history showing financial irresponsibility.
 ILLINOIS: Continuing
Duty
Until you are sworn in to the bar of Illinois, you
have a continuing duty to report any changes or
additions to the information provided in your
application
Electronically
In a reasonable amount of time
Applies after the application materials are
filed
 MISSOURI
DOES NOT require applicants to disclose
traffic citations unless the citation resulted in
the revocation of the license.
DOES require copy of their driver's license transcript
from each jurisdiction where a license was held within
the past 5 years.
Only 3 personal reference are required. They must
have known the applicant well within the past five
years
cannot be a relative, reference listed elsewhere
such as an employer, or a fellow law student.
Read the questions carefully because they might have
different disclosure requirements than other states.
When in doubt, disclose!
 NEW YORK

Became UBE state in 2016 (July)

Accepts UBE from other UBE states as of
11/2016
Passing Score: 266
Other requirements?
New York Law Course (NYLC)
New York Law Exam (NYLE)
50 Hours Pro Bono
MPRE
Character and Fitness
 NEW YORK

NYLC and NYLE

Available as of Spring 2016
Can take NYLC and NYLE up to one year
before and three years after the
applicant first sits for the UBE
Passing NYLE score expires 3 years after
the date on which it was earned
 NEW YORK
50Hours Pro Bono Requirement
Hours must be:
completed on or after 5/1/2012,
law-related, and
under supervision of an attorney
Pro Bono work could be done anywhere
(different states & countries)
Applicant can receive academic credit or
payment
Legal research for a Professors pro bono legal
services could qualify
 Registration

States that require registration of law students

Alabama
California
Iowa
Louisiana
Mississippi
NCBE/ABA Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements 2010,
North Dakota
Chart I, pg. 3

Ohio
 Addresses
Application for the Iowa Bar Examination
18. Previous Residence Addresses

List in chronological order every residence

address you have had since age 18 other than
your current one. Give the dates you lived at
each address, paying careful attention not to
include any gaps in time.
From MO/YR to MO/YR STREET AND NUMBER CITY AND STATE

Check Lexis Advances Public Records which allows

you to look up your past addresses.
 Bar Result Dates

Texas:
First week in NOVEMBER
Illinois:
First two weeks of OCTOBER
Missouri:
Mid-SEPTEMBER
Minnesota:
Early OCTOBER
Iowa:
Mid-SEPTEMBER
California:
Early NOVEMBER
New York:
Mid-NOVEMBER
Colorado:
Early OCTOBER
Wisconsin:
Early SEPTEMBER
Arizona:
Early OCTOBER
 Bar Passage Rates
Iowa Law Graduates first time bar passage rate

2014
Iowa: 91% (69/76)
California: 50% (5/10)
Illinois: 95% (20/21)
Minnesota: 100% (9/9)
Missouri: 100% (8/8)
New York: 69% (9/13)
Wisconsin: 100% (1/1)
Other Jurisdictions with 100% pass rate: AK, AR, FL, GA, MD, MA, MI,
MT, NE, OK, SD, UT, and WA.

2015 (July)
Iowa: 98% (51/52)
Illinois:75% (12/16)
 Waiving in
Based on MBE score
Minnesota MBE score of 145
Minnesota Rules for Admission to the Bar, Rule 7(B)

North Dakota MBE score of 150

North Dakota Supreme Court Rules, Rule 7(B)

Washington, D.C. MBE score of 133

Rules of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, Rule 46(c)(3)(ii)

See also NCBE/ABA Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements 2010, Chart V, pg.
17

Based on passing an equivalent examination

Nebraska
Nebraska Supreme Court Rules, 3-105(A)(1)(c)
 Waiving in
Based on UBE score

Alabama (July 2011) 260 25 months

Alaska (July 2014) 280 5 years
Arizona (July 2012)
273 5 years
Colorado (February 2012)
276 3 years / 5 years
Idaho (February 2012)

280 37 months
Iowa (February 2016)

266 2 years / 5 years

Kansas (February 2016)
266 36 months
Minnesota (February 2014)
260 36 months
Missouri (February 2011)
260 24 months
Montana (July 2013)
 Limited License to
Practice Law
A number of jurisdictions will issue, without examination, a
limited license to practice law to attorneys already
admitted to another jurisdiction under specified conditions.

The most common limited licenses are legal service attorneys (e.g.
legal aid or public defender) and in-house counsel.

Illinois allows admission of both house counsel (Illinois Supreme

Court Rules, Rule 716) and legal service program lawyers (Illinois
Supreme Court Rules, Rule 717).

Minnesota also allows admission of both house counsel (Rule 9)

and legal services program lawyers (Rule 8).

READ YOUR STATES RULES CAREFULLY!