AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUTURE
NEW YORK UNIFORM BAR EXAM (UBE)
Effective July 2016
The UBE consists of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE),
Multistate Performance Test (MPT) and Multistate Essay
Examination (MEE). It is uniformly administered, graded and
scored by user jurisdictions and results in a portable score
that can be transferred to other jurisdictions if you have studied
law in the US. New York is the 16th state to date to adopt the
UBE. The following states have already adopted the UBE: AL,
AK, AZ, CO, ID, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, ND, UT, WA, and WY.
Passing Score: 266 on a scale of 400. This is lower than some
other UBE jurisdictions (which range from 260 to 280) but
equivalent to the passing score on the current New York bar
exam.
KEY BAR EXAM FORMAT CHANGES
Current New York Bar Exam
Day 1 (60%)
›› NY Essays (5 questions worth 40%)
›› MPT (1 task worth 10%)
›› NY Multiple-choice (50 questions worth 10%)
Day 2 (40%)
› In addition, for admission to New York you will need to
complete the online “New York Law Course”
›› MBE (200 multiple-choice questions worth 40%)
(NYLC). The NYLC consists of lectures
interspersed with questions to certify review and
completion.
›› The online “New York Law Exam” (NYLE). This openbook 50-question multiple choice test will be offered
four times annually. It can be taken up to a year prior
to the bar exam or within three years afterward. The
passing score is 30/50.
›› A passing score on the MPRE of 85 and
50 hours of pro-bono legal work.
New York UBE (July 2016)
Day 1 (50%)
›› MEE (6 questions worth 30%)
›› MPT (2 tasks worth 20%)
Day 2 (50%)
›› MBE (200 multiple-choice questions worth 50%)
AN OVERVIEW OF THE
NEW YORK UNIFORM BAR EXAM (UBE)
Effective July 2016
BARBRI has prepared students for every UBE and for
every MEE since its inception in 1995. BARBRI has prepared
students for the MBE since its inception in 1979 and will
continue to offer support to students for the new exam format
on which the MBE will represent 50% (compared to the
current 40%) of each student’s score.
The BARBRI Simulated MBE with Pass Predictor is even
more valuable now. This 200 question multiple-choice
practice exam provides the most predictive results of any
practice MBE and will continue to be a key part of your New
York bar course.
There is significant overlap in MBE subjects tested. The
MBE – used on both the current New York bar exam and
UBE – covers the same subjects: Constitutional Law,
Contracts (including Uniform Commercial Code [UCC]
Article 2), Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Federal
Civil Procedure, Real Property and Torts.
The MEE covers the same MBE topics, as well as Business
Relationships, Family Law, Trusts and Estates and UCC
Article 9. With the exception of Federal Civil Procedure, all
of these subjects are tested on the current New York bar
exam, through both essays and multiple choice questions.
There are three subjects that are tested on the current
New York essay and multiple choice questions that are not
covered on the UBE: New York Civil Practice and Procedure,
Administrative Law and Professional Responsibility.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Eligibility requirements for the New York bar exam remain unchanged.
BARBRI advises international students to proceed as planned to take the current New York bar exam.
BARBRI is reviewing all of its New York programs to align with the UBE. This includes the International
Program, LL.M. Extended Bar Review and standard state course. All BARBRI students will be expertly
prepared for the New York UBE in July 2016.
Licensure between UBE jurisdictions is not automatic. Each UBE jurisdiction independently decides who
may sit for the bar exam and who may be admitted to practice. Most UBE states require an applicant to be a
graduate of an ABA accredited law school. There is no indication that the other UBE jurisdictions will be open
to foreign-trained attorneys.
Achieving a certain UBE score does not guarantee admission in another jurisdiction. Each UBE state has its own
bar exam eligibility criteria, which includes how long to accept transferred UBE scores. UBE states may choose
to assess each applicant’s knowledge of jurisdiction-specific content through a test or course separate from the
UBE (i.e. the NYLC and the NYLE). For details, go to: ncbex.org/exams/ube/
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