The MPRE - Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam
Q: What does MPRE stand for, and what is it?
A: The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is a one hundred twenty five (125) minute, sixty (60) question, multiple-choice examination designed to measure the knowledge and understanding of established standards related to a lawyer's professional conduct. It is developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. It is a prerequisite or co-requisite to the bar examination for admission as an attorney in 47 of the 50 states of the United States. It is offered three times a year.
Q: When can I take it?
A: You must first finish your first year and, therefore, cannot take the spring 2008 exam. If you are taking the CA Bar, you must take it and receive a passing score at least three months prior to the release of your results by the Bar Examination. The Law School strongly recommends that students take it before they sit for the Bar, so if you take a July Bar you should take it sometime in the next two years of law school.
Q: When are the upcoming dates I may choose to take it?
A: Test Date: Regular Registration Deadline Late Deadline
Aug. 8, 2008 July 1, 2008 July 17, 2008
Nov. 8, 2008 Sept. 30, 2008 Oct. 16, 2008
More dates will be released in late 2008.
Q: What do I need to get to pass?
A: In California passing is an 86 as of January 1, 2008. Different states, however, require different results to pass. We recommend that you check the website for the Bar Association of the jurisdiction you are interested in for the most current information regarding passing scores. Contact information for these jurisdictions is available at http://www.ncbex.org/bar-admissions/offices/.
Q: How can I prepare?
A: Taking Legal Profession is the first step. After that, there are many resources available. One important resource is the National Conference of Bar Examiner’s website. They have a subject matter outline detailing the topics that may be tested on the exam (http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mpre/subjects0/outline/) and a full-length practice exam (http://www.ncbex2.org/php/mpre/) as well as a study guide you can purchase (http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mpre/). The MPRE is a standardized test, so it is important to take practice exams and study the test format as you did for the LSAT and as you will do for the bar examination. For some of you, this might mean using the NCBE website and/or commercial study guide such as the Emanuel’s flashcards, or a one-day class through commercial programs such as Bar Bri.
Q: How do I register?
A: To register for the test, go to http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mpre/guidelines/registration/. Note that even though the MPRE content and exam dates are the same regardless of where you plan to practice, states other than CA may have different policies and procedures you may need to consider before registering for the test. We recommend that you contact the Bar Association for the jurisdiction you are interested in for the most current information. Contact information for these jurisdictions is available at http://www.ncbex.org/bar-admissions/offices/.
Q: How can I get more information?
A: Go to http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mpre/. If you have any questions, contact your Legal Profession Professor, Academic Support or Mr. Kyle Jones.
