Bar Exam Information

General Information for the Bar Exam

The Bar Exam is typically a 2-day exam.  The first day of the exam consists of the state-specific portion of the exam and is likely an essay format.  Please note that in most cases, this portion of the exam is handwritten (no laptops, i.e.).  The second day of the exam consists of the Multistate Bar Exam, or MBE, and is a 200-question, multiple choice exam.  The MBE score can be transferred to other jurisdictions; therefore, examinees can take the MBE in a state other than the one they wish to be licensed in and have the score transferred to another jurisdiction.

Example: Wayne Lawton graduates from law school in Michigan and wishes to be licensed in Michigan and eventually, Illinois.  Wayne sits for the essay and MBE in Michigan and has his score transferred to Illinois later.  Wayne will likely have to sit for the state portion of the Illinois exam, but not the MBE.

Preparation for the Bar Exam:

To learn about the subjects tested on each state-specific portion of the exam, please check the website for the state whose bar exam you will be taking (see links below).  The vast majority of Wayne Law students sit for the Michigan Bar exam, so we have included state-specific information on the subjects tested for Michigan bar takers.

(Day 1) Essay portion of Michigan Bar Exam:

Agency, Commercial Paper, Conflict of Laws, Corporations, Creditor’s Rights, Equity, Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, Domestic Relations, Insurance (No-Fault), Partnership, Personal Property, Practice and Procedure (State and Federal), Sales, Secured Transactions, Wills & Trusts, Workers’ Compensation, plus all MBE subjects.   

(Day 2) MBE portion of the Michigan Bar Exam:

Multistate Bar Exam (MBE): Constitutional Law, Contracts/Sales, Criminal Law/Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, Torts.

Bar Exam Application Information (Michigan):

The bar application process is conducted completely online now.  Step-by-step instructions on beginning your bar application can be found at: http://www.michbar.org/professional/byexam.cfm. 

Character & Fitness Certification Letters

***A note from the Wayne Law Records Office***

Students who are completing their final semester must file a Bar Exam Application Form before taking the Bar Exam.  These steps must be taken prior to graduation and allow for sufficient processing time by the Records office (even if you plan to take the bar exam outside of Michigan)!  The following steps outline the process.

(Step 1): Students must print the Michigan Bar Applicant Request for Law School Certification from the State Bar of Michigan website and fill out both sections of the form. 

(Step 2): The form must then be submitted to the Records Office. Upon receipt, the Records office generates a letter certifying the applicant’s Character and Fitness and will send it to the appropriate address.

(Step 3): After the Michigan Bar determines your eligibility to sit for this exam; they will mail a Law School Certificate to the Records Office for verification.  Certification by the Records Office involves confirming that you have been awarded the J.D. degree (i.e. you graduated).  Graduating students are certified after all grades are received for their final semester, i.e. January for the February Bar and in June for the July Bar. 

(Step 4): The Records office then generates the letter certifying the degree to the State Board of Law Examiners, unless the student has a hold on their account.  In cases where the student has a hold they will be notified via their Wayne State email account.  If the hold doesn’t clear in time, the student will not be able to get their bar results as the results are not released for anyone who has not had their degree certified.

Deadlines

February exam: November 1st ($100 late fee assessed afterward)
July exam: March 1st ($100 late fee assessed afterward)
 

Bar Exam Application Information (Out-of-state):

If you are taking the bar exam outside of Michigan, please check with that particular jurisdiction for instructions on the application process, fees, applicable deadlines and information on the character and fitness process.  A list of each jurisdiction is provided below for your convenience.

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) Information:

The MPRE is a 2-hour, 5 minute exam consisting of 50 multiple choice questions and is administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBEX).  Please check their website (below under “Quick Links”) for more information on the registration process, fees and deadlines.  The MPRE is offered nationwide in March, August and November.  The MPRE tests your knowledge and understanding of the ethical standards of the legal profession.  Most states allow students to take the MPRE before graduation from law school.  Please note that Professional Responsibility is a required course for Wayne Law students; while it might be beneficial, it is not necessarily crucial to your success on the MPRE.  Most students take the exam sometime after their second year of law school.  Similar to the MBE portion of the bar exam, you can take the MPRE in any state and have your score submitted to another state.

Quick Links:

The following Web sites have information about bar examinations, including contact information for the boards of law examiners in most jurisdictions:
The American Bar Association

The National Conference of Bar Examiners

Articles of Interest:

Unraveling the Mystery of the Character and Fitness Process

Why Getting Professional Help During Law School Won't Prevent You From Getting a License To Practice Law

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