State-by-State Bar Exam Information: Massachusetts
Bar Information
Key Dates
The last Wed and Thu of February and July
Early March
It must be received by 75 days before the exam (roughly May 11th, but varies)
Exam Details
Multiple-choice: The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) Written: 10 state law essays
On Wednesday, applicants take the MBE, 100 questions in the morning and 100 questions in the afternoon--six hours total. On Thursday, applicants take the state law essay questions, five in the morning and five in the afternoon.
The MBE tests Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Evidence, Property, and Torts. The state law essays can draw from: Agency, Civil Procedure (federal & Mass.), Business Organizations, Constitutional Law, Professional Responsibility, Contracts, Real Property (including mortgages), Criminal Law, Torts, Descent & Distribution of Estates, Trusts, Domestic Relations, Unfair/Deceptive Practices, Evidence (federal & Mass.), UCC Articles 1-9, Federal Procedure, Wills.
Questions only. http://www.mass.gov/bbe/essayquestions.htm
The essays and the MBE are each weighted at 50%. Applicants must achieve a total score of 270.
Statistics
July 2011: 88%
July 2011: 84%
Reciprocity
Yes, but concurrent examination only
Yes but they must have practiced law for five of the previous seven years. Consult the Board of Bar Examiners directly for more details on admission on motion.
The information on Massachusetts comes from the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners' website, as well as from the National Conference of Bar Examiners' Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements and annual statistical report.
