UBE/NYLE/MPRE Frequently Asked Questions - Bar Exam (UBE) - NYLE - MPRE

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Riley

Frequently Asked Questions for the CUNY School of Law Spring 2016 bar-prep process explain when the New York bar exam is administered and how it is divided across two days with morning and afternoon sessions. The FAQ details the NY Bar Examination structure using UBE (with UBE portable scoring), NYLE, and the MPRE, including components, time, question counts, weighting, and passing scores (UBE 266/400; NYLE 30/50; MPRE 85). It also outlines transferrable UBE scores, what each exam tests, and retake rules for failing UBE or NYLE.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Bar exam administration

When the exam is administered

How the exam days are divided

UBE (Uniform Bar Examination)

Composition and weighting

Portable scores and transfer

Passing score in New York

Test subjects for UBE (MBE and MEE)

NYLE (New York Law Exam)

Composition and delivery

Passing score in New York

What NYLE tests

MPRE (Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam)

Composition

What MPRE covers

Passing score and administration

UBE/NYLE/MPRE Frequently Asked Questions CUNY School of Law Spring 2016 Q: When is the bar exam administered? A: The last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July. [http://www.nybarexam.org/](http://www.nybarexam.org/) Q: What is the composition of the NY Bar Examination? A: As of July 2016 the NY Bar Exam will be composed of the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and the New York Law Exam (NYLE). Candidates need to achieve a passing score on each of these exams in order to be certified for admission. In addition, unchanged is the requirement that candidates for admission to the bar pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE), administered on separate dates (see below) . Q: What is the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE)? A: It is a uniformly administered bar examination that results in a PORTABLE SCORE that can be transferred to other UBE jurisdictions. It will be graded in NY. Q: What does it mean to say that UBE scores are transferrable? A: Right now, 17 states accept the UBE. It is expected that this number will increase in the near future. Jurisdictions vary on the time limit for accepting transferred scores. The variation right now is two years to five years. The passing score in NY will be 266. Passing scores in other states vary from 260 to 280. Q: Who prepares the UBE? A: The UBE is prepared and coordinated by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. [http://www.ncbex.org](http://www.ncbex.org) Q: What are the components of the UBE and how are they weighted? A: It is composed of the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), two Multistate Performance Tests (MPT) tasks, and the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) . The MBE will be weighted 50%, the MEE 30%, and the MPT 20% . Q: What is the MBE? A: The MBE consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. According to the NCBE,“The purpose of the MBE is to assess the extent to which an examinee can apply fundamental legal principles and legal reasoning to analyze given fact patterns.” Q: What is the MEE? A: The MEE includes six 30-minute essay questions testing a candidate’s ability to apply rules of law to fact scenarios and reach a conclusion. They are to be answered using general principles of law. Q: What are the two MPTs? A: Each of the two MPTs is a 90-minute simulated client exercise in which students are given a case file, and a library of cases and statutes. Students are instructed to complete a task, which is usually to draft a memo, brief, or letter to a supervisor or client. According to the NCBE,“The MPT is designed to test an examinee’s ability to use fundamental lawyering skills in a realistic situation. Each test evaluates an examinee’s ability to complete a task that a beginning lawyer should be able to accomplish.” Q: What will NY require as a passing score on the UBE? A: New York will require a score of 266 out of 400 to pass the UBE Q: What is the New York Law Exam (NYLE)? A: The NYLE is a 50 item, two-hour multiple-choice test to be administered online four times per year. It will be written by the New York Board of Law Examiners (BOLE) . Applicants will be required to complete a web course prior to sitting for the exam. The web course is projected to take 12- 15 hours to complete. Q: What will the NYLE Test? A: It will test NY distinctions and important NY rules (see information about content below) . Q: What will be a passing score on the NYLE? A: A passing score on the NYLE would be 30 out of 50 questions (60%) . Q: What if I pass the UBE but do not pass the NYLE, or vice versa? A: A candidate who fails the NYLE but passes the UBE could re-take the NYLE. A candidate who passes the NYLE but fails the UBE would only need to retake the UBE. A candidate who fails both the UBE and the NYLE would re-take the NYLE with the next administration of the UBE. Q: How are the days of the bar exam divided up? A: The bar exam is administered over 2 days, with a morning and afternoon session each day. • Day 1: 6 hours o Morning

FAQs

When is the New York bar exam administered?

The bar exam is administered on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July.

How is the UBE composed, weighted, and scored for portability?

As of July 2016, the UBE includes the MEE, two MPT tasks, and the MBE, weighted 30% (MEE), 20% (MPT), and 50% (MBE). It produces a portable score that can be transferred to other UBE jurisdictions.

What are the passing scores for the UBE, NYLE, and MPRE in New York?

New York requires 266 out of 400 to pass the UBE, 30 out of 50 (60%) for the NYLE, and 85 to pass the MPRE.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Riley