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Admission to the Bar - Preparation and Resources: Multistate Performance Test (MPT)

This guide provides background and handy resources for students facing the last remaining hurdle before a career in the law--the bar exam.

Jurisdictions Offering the MPT

The following jurisdictions offer all or part of the MPT as a portion of their bar exam, including those administering the Multistate Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) (in bold):

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Georgia
  • Guam
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Maryland (as part of the UBE eff. CY2019)
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina (eff. February 2019)
  • North Dakota
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Palau
  • Rhode Island (adopts UBE eff. February 2019 exam)
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee (adopts UBE eff. February 2019 exam)
  • Texas
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Multistate Performance Test

The Multistate Performance Test (MPT) is a relatively-recent addition to NCBE's stable of standardized tests, introduced in 1997 as a means of addressing a perceived gap in skills testing.  The MPT is designed to mimic a case file, complete with documents and correspondence, thereby testing the student's practice skills in a simulated setting.  The full test consists of two MPT items, each timed at 90 minutes, although jurisdictions sometimes use only one of the two items.  The MPT is part of the Multistate Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), and, if so administered, both items are used.

The MPT requires testers to:

  1. sort detailed factual materials and separate relevant from irrelevant facts;
  2. analyze statutory, case, and administrative materials for applicable principles of law;
  3. apply the relevant law to the relevant facts in a manner likely to resolve a client’s problem;
  4. identify and resolve ethical dilemmas, when present;
  5. communicate effectively in writing; and
  6. complete a lawyering task within time constraints.

For more information on the MPT, refer to Multistate Performance Test and MPT Skills Tested.

Samples from Past Administration of the MPT (From the NCBE website)

Summaries of MPTs from Recent Administrations

MPT Summaries 2018
MPT Summaries 2017
MPT Summaries 2016
MPT Summaries 2015
MPT Summaries 2014
MPT Summaries 2013

MPTs and Point Sheets from Older Administrations

MPTs and Point Sheets from older administrations are available by accessing the following files.

February 2013
July 2012
February 2012
July 2011
February 2011
July 2010
February 2010
July 2009
February 2009
July 2008