The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is a six-hour, 200-question multiple-choice examination covering  a vareity of subjects, including contracts, torts, constitutional law, criminal law and procedure, evidence, and real property.

The MBE consists of 200 multiple-choice questions: 190 scored questions and 10 unscored pretest questions. The pretest questions are indistinguishable from those that are scored, so examinees should answer all questions. The exam is divided into morning and afternoon testing sessions of three hours each, with 100 questions in each session. There are no scheduled breaks during either the morning or afternoon session.

The MBE is developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).  Bar applicants must contact their specific jurisdiction to determine if the MBE is part of that jurisdiction's exam.  

Each jurisdiction determines its own policy with regard to the relative weight given to the MBE and other scores (The MBE is a component of the Uniform Bar Examination. Jurisdictions administering the UBE weight the MBE 50%). Questions about the use made of MBE scores should be directed to the appropriate jurisdiction, not to NCBE.

For examples of test questions similar to those on the MBE, see MBE Sample Test Questions.

Civil Procedure was added to the MBE in February 2015. For a set of sample Civil Procedure questions, see MBE Civil Procedure Sample Test Questions.

The MBE Online Practice Exams (OPEs) are 100-question, annotated online practice exams that use questions drawn from actual MBEs administered in recent years. (The questions have been retired and will not appear on a future MBE.)

The annotations explain why each answer choice is correct or incorrect. Examinees can take the practice exam that is timed or untimed, receive feedback on their answers, and obtain a customized score report designed to help identify strengths and weaknesses in six MBE subject areas: Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.

The MBE-OPEs are available for purchase at the NCBE Study Aids Store. Purchasing an MBE-OPE gives an examinee a subscription for unlimited online access to the exam for one year after the date of purchase.

NOTE: The MBE-OPEs do not yet include Civil Procedure, which was introduced as a subject area in February 2015. For a set of sample Civil Procedure questions, see MBE Civil Procedure Sample Test Questions. Civil Procedure Practice Questions may also be purchased from the NCBE Study Aids Store through the "MBE Practice Questions" option.

The law library has a copy of the most recent MBE study aid on Reserve.