You probably noticed the trend already, but many of the US states are ditching the traditional state-specific bar exam for a Uniform Bar Examination known generally as the UBE.
Instead of each state creating their own questions, a single test is applied across all participant states to promote conformity and standardization. It is then graded consistently across the board so your scores won’t vary state to state. This doesn’t mean the states don’t still vary in many ways. Each state retains the right to choose their own passing score, implement additional requirements, and control the standards for accepting transferred scores from other states.
The UBE builds on the similarities between state exams to include the standard MBE, MEE, and MPT formatted portions, administered over two (2) days and four (4) sessions.
MBE (50%)
MEE (30%)
MPT (20%)
Examinees are graded out of 400 possible points.
Score
% Equivalent
260
65%
264
66%
266
66.5%
270
67.5%
272
68%
273
68.25%
276
69%
270
70%
Taking the exam in a UBE state can be beneficial in a lot of ways.
Situation 1 ~ You take the UBE in State 1 and fail, but your score is passing in UBE State 2. You might be able to transfer your score, and (assuming you meet all their other requirements), you should be able to bar in there instead. 🙂 (For more specific details, check out the website here.)
Situation 2 ~ You take the UBE in State 1 in 2015. State 2 moves over to the UBE in 2017. You can now transfer your old UBE score over to State 2 (assuming you took the bar recent enough to meet State 2’s time limitations rule). (For more specific details, check out the website here.)
Situation 3 ~ You take the UBE in State 1, and later you want to transfer your MBE scores to a non-UBE State 2. So long as the state accepts transferred MBE scores, you might be able to do that (For more specific details, check out the website here.)
Below is a list of the present UBE states and their current (as of 2022) passing scores based on reports from the NCBE.
DISCLAIMER: State rules and policies change; do NOT to rely on this information for any decision-making processes. We just provide it here to promote general discourse and demonstrate variations in ease of bar admissions. You must consult the jurisdiction’s bar admission agency directly for current information.
The Passing Score was lowered to 268 for the July 2020 and both 2021 Bar Exams. They also are accepting transferred scores of 268 from July / Sept. 2020 and 2021 Bar Exams for the UBE.
North Dakota (February 2011)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
260
6 Times
Ohio (February 2021)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
270
No Limit
Oklahoma (July 2021)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
264
No Limit
Oregon (July 2017)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
270
No Limit
The Passing Score was temporarily lowered from 274 to 266 for the July 2020. It was then lowered permanently to 270 with the February 2021 exam.
Pennsylvania (July 2022)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
272
No Limit
Rhode Island (February 2019)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
270
5 Times
The Passing Score was lowered permanently from 276 to 270 with the February 2021 exam. Any transferred scores attained prior to Feb. 2021 must still have show 276 or higher
South Carolina (February 2019)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
266
3 Times
Tennessee (February 2019)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
270
No Limit
Texas (February 2021)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
270
5 Times
Utah (February 2013)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
270
6 Times
Vermont (July 2016)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
270
4 Times
Washington (July 2013)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
270
No Limit
The Passing Score was temporarily lowered from 270 to 266 for all tests between July 2020 to February 2022 including September 2020 tests. This also applies to transferred scores achieved in those times.
West Virginia (July 2017)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
270
4 Times
Wyoming (July 2013)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
270
4 Times
Virgin Islands (July 2017)
Passing Score
Limit on Attempts
266
No Limit
**If you see any errors or updates, please contact us!