Overview
The Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) is a U.S. bar exam prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). It is made up of three parts: the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). NCBE's jurisdiction table marks 35 of the 56 U.S. states, territories and districts it lists as having adopted the UBE. A UBE score is portable, so it can be transferred to seek admission in another UBE jurisdiction.
The UBE is changing. NCBE states that most jurisdictions will move from the current (legacy) UBE to the NextGen UBE between July 2026 and July 2028, and that the legacy UBE continues through February 2028.
Who can apply
Candidates apply through the bar admission agency of the jurisdiction where they want to be admitted, not through NCBE. Eligibility rules are set by that jurisdiction. NCBE's table shows some jurisdictions, including California and Florida, as not having adopted the UBE.
Exam pattern
The legacy UBE is held over two days. Each part is weighted as shown below.
| Part | Format | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| MBE | 200 multiple-choice questions in two 3-hour sessions of 100 questions; 175 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest questions | 50% |
| MEE | 6 essay questions, 30 minutes each (3 hours) | 30% |
| MPT | 2 tasks, 90 minutes each | 20% |
The MBE has no scheduled breaks within its sessions, and pretest questions look the same as scored ones, so every question should be answered.
Syllabus
The MEE may test business associations (agency, partnership, corporations and limited liability companies), civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts (including UCC Article 2 on sales), criminal law and procedure, evidence, real property and torts. A question can involve more than one area, and the areas used vary from one exam to the next.
The MPT tests practical lawyering skills rather than memorised law. Each task gives a file of source documents holding the facts, plus a memorandum from a supervising attorney setting out the assignment. The file can include items such as interview transcripts, pleadings, correspondence, contracts, police reports and lawyer's notes.
Marking and results
UBE total scores are reported on a 400-point scale. NCBE scores the MBE. Jurisdictions grade the MEE and MPT, and NCBE then calculates the final scores. Each jurisdiction sets its own passing score and its own maximum age for transferred scores.
NextGen UBE
The NextGen UBE tests foundational lawyering skills using multiple-choice questions, integrated question sets and performance tasks. It is also held over two days and its scores are reported on a 500 to 750 scale, equated across administrations. Jurisdictions set their own passing thresholds, and scores can be transferred between jurisdictions as with the legacy exam.
NCBE states that the first NextGen administration, in July 2026, covers ten jurisdictions: Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, the Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Palau, the Virgin Islands and Washington. Arkansas, Louisiana, Nevada and Puerto Rico had not announced adoption plans on NCBE's page. NCBE also notes that the July 2026 Washington NextGen administration was cancelled and a make-up exam was held on September 1 and 2.
Important dates
The exam is given twice a year, with the MBE on the last Wednesday of February and July. NCBE lists these upcoming administrations:
February 23 to 24, 2027
July 27 to 28, 2027
February 22 to 23, 2028
How to apply
Register with the bar admission agency of your chosen jurisdiction. NCBE's pages do not state fees or application deadlines, so check them with that agency.
What are the parts of the UBE and how are they weighted?
The MBE counts for 50%, the MEE for 30% and the MPT for 20%.
Can I use my UBE score in another state?
Yes, in other UBE jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction sets its own passing score and how old a transferred score may be.
Is the UBE being replaced?
NCBE says most jurisdictions will move to the NextGen UBE between July 2026 and July 2028, and the legacy UBE continues through February 2028.