illinois bar exam sample essay answers

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MEE (Multistate Essay Exam)

The MEE consists of six essay questions and is normally administered by participating jurisdictions in February and July of each year.

From the NCBE:

• MEE Subject Matter Outline (2018) (.pdf)
• July 2021 exam (.pdf)
• July 2019 exam (.pdf)
• Older exams (2012-2016) (.pdf) (scroll down to bottom of page for links)
• Instructions for taking the MEE (.pdf)

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Illinois Bar Exam Details

Illinois utilizes the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE).

The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at  http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube .

The UBE will be given in Illinois twice a year on the last consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July. 

A scaled score of 266 on the UBE is required for admission in Illinois. 

UBE Schedule:

Tuesday AM: MEE (6 essays, 3 hours) 

Tuesday PM: MPT (2 items, 3 hours)

Wednesday AM: MBE (100 questions, 3 hours) 

Wednesday PM: MBE (100 questions, 3 hours)

Study Resources for the Illinois Bar Exam

There are multiple resources that provide sample questions and answers for the UBE:

• Recent MEE questions and model answers .
• Recent MPT questions, model answers, and point sheets . 
• Sample MBE questions . ( These are also found in the Law Library's Main Reading Room in the Bar Success Collection.)
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Illinois Bar Exam

Written by: Nik Ventouris

Last updated: April 16, 2024

Passing the  Illinois bar exam  is an essential part of being admitted into the state’s bar and beginning a successful career practicing law.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to get started, including:

• The bar exam’s eligibility criteria, content, and structure
• The steps you can take in order to give yourself the best chance of passing on your first attempt
• The additional requirements you’ll need to satisfy in order to become admitted into the state’s bar

We’ll also briefly cover the process of getting admitted through an admission on motion for those who don’t possess an Illinois law degree.

Recommended:  Interested in getting started? We recommend Kaplan’s bar exam preparation materials, which come with a free retake guarantee, interactive and flexible learning, and lawyer-led tutoring.

Illinois Bar Exam Overview

Administered by the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar (the Board), the Illinois bar exam has been regulating the state’s legal profession since 1897. The Board, which consists of seven members appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, oversees both the bar exam and the character and fitness evaluation processes.

If you plan to take the Illinois bar exam, you should know it’s offered twice a year on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July. The exam is held at various locations in Chicago, with applicants receiving notification of their specific venue and seat assignment approximately two weeks before the exam.

Here’s what you need to know regarding this exam’s registration deadlines and fees:

For the February exam, candidates who haven’t previously registered for an Illinois bar exam have a tiered fee structure. This ranges from $950 to $1,450, depending on when you register. 

• Those who previously registered and paid for an Illinois bar exam must pay a reduced fee, ranging from $500 to $850 based on when they register.

The July exam has an identical pay structure with only one key difference: candidates who previously registered for the exam must pay a fixed price of $500.

Keep in mind that in order to be eligible for the Illinois bar exam, you’ll need to satisfy the following criteria according to Rule 703 of the Illinois Supreme Court:

• High School Education:  Eligibility for the Illinois bar exam begins with graduating from a four-year high school or an equivalent institution. These schools must prepare students for college or university admission with standards comparable to those of the University of Illinois.
• Undergraduate College Work:  Candidates also must complete at least 90 semester hours of college coursework. This education must be from colleges or universities recognized by the Board. Verification of this phase usually requires diplomas or university certificates, but can also be through an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school that confirms the completion of the required college coursework.
• Legal Education:  After satisfying the high school and undergraduate requirements, applicants must pursue a legal education that culminates in a law degree (e.g., a Juris Doctor degree) from an ABA-accredited law school. 

Note:  Applicants with health-related issues can request special accommodations during the exam by visiting the  Nonstandard Testing Accommodation  section of the official Illinois Bar Exam website.

Illinois Exam Structure

In 2019, the state of Illinois adopted the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). It adheres to the following structure:

• Multistate Performance Test (MPT): Two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test Questions (20%)
• Multistate Essay Examination (MEE): Six 30-minute Multistate Essay Exam questions (30%)

Day 2: 

• Multistate Bar Examination (MBE): 200-question multiple-choice exam (50%)

The UBE exam has a total of 400 possible points. A candidate must earn 266 of them to receive a passing mark.

Keep in mind that candidates will additionally be required to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) in order to be eligible for the Illinois bar.

Below, we’ve broken down the content and structure of each exam-related requirement in more detail.

Multistate Performance Test (MPT)

The MPT is made up of two 90-minute parts, and the materials for each part contain a “File” and a “Library.”

The File consists of source documents that contain all of the facts of a specific case.

As the examinee, the assignment that you will need to complete will be described in a memorandum from a supervising attorney.

The File can also include things like transcripts of interviews, depositions, pleadings, trials, client documents, newspaper articles, police reports, and any other similar documents.

Keep in mind that irrelevant information is generally included, and facts are sometimes incomplete, ambiguous, or even conflicting.

This is meant to mirror legal practice, in which a client’s or supervising attorney’s version of events may be unreliable or entirely incomplete. In such a scenario, you will be expected to recognize when facts are inconsistent or missing in the exam and identify sources of additional facts.

The Library part contains things like cases, statutes, and regulations, some of which may also not be relevant to the task that you will be assigned. You will need to be able to extract the legal principles required to analyze the legal problem you’ll be presented with and perform the requested task.

For more information, you can have a look at the National Conference of Bar Examiners’  Instructions for Taking the MPT  document.

Free summaries of MPTs from recent examinations are also offered (e.g.,  MPT Summaries of 2023 ).

Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)

The MEE consists of six 30-minute sections that can cover a variety of legal areas, including:

• Civil Procedure
• Business Associations (e.g., Agency and Partnership, LLCs, Corporations, etc.)
• Conflict of Laws
• Constitutional Law
• Contract Law
• Criminal Law
• Trust and Estates

Keep in mind that questions can often include issues in more than one area of law. This means that it’ll be important to ensure that you have a “wide” range of understanding rather than a deep focus on one or two subjects.

Note:  For more information, have a look at the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ (NCBE’s) official  Instructions for Taking the MEE  document or check out a few official  MEE questions .

Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)

The MBE is made up of 200 multiple-choice questions, which are broken down into 175 scored questions and 25 unscored questions.

The exam is broken down into two three-hour sections, with one administered in the morning and one in the afternoon, both of which contain 100 questions each.

Keep in mind that there are no scheduled breaks during either one of the sections.

All 175 scored questions on the exam are distributed evenly, with 25 questions being attributed to each of the following seven topics:

• Real Property
• Criminal Law and Procedure

Each question on the MBE exam will have four potential answers. You should choose what you believe is the best answer — keep in mind that scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly, and points are  not subtracted  for answering incorrectly.

If you want to have a look at the exact format, you can have a look at the NCBE’s official  MBE Sample Test Questions  document.

Recommended Course

Interested in getting started? We recommend Kaplan’s bar exam preparation materials, which come with a free retake guarantee, interactive and flexible learning, and lawyer-led tutoring.

Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)

Administered via Pearson VUE on behalf of the state, the MPRE includes 60 multiple-choice questions (50 scored questions and 10 unscored questions).

Like the MBE, each question offers four possible answers — one of which is correct. 

The exam’s content is based on law that relates to the conduct and discipline of attorneys and judges. It includes the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the Model Code of Judicial Conduct as well as important constitutional common law and generally accepted principles.

In relation to questions of professional responsibility in the context of evidentiary issues (e.g., litigation sanctions, attorney-client evidentiary privilege, etc.), the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Evidence will apply  unless otherwise stated .

Note:  You’ll have two hours to complete the MPRE exam in its entirety.

For more information, check out the NCBE’s  sample test questions  and holistic  subject matter outline .

How to Pass the Illinois Bar Exam

In order to give yourself the best chance of passing the Illinois UBE on your first attempt, it’s important to take enough time to make sure you are adequately prepared.

Illinois Bar Exam Tips

Despite the infamous difficulty of the Illinois bar exam, passing it on your first attempt is definitely possible with the right tools and preparation techniques.

Here are a few key tips to help you in your licensing journey:

• Start strong in your first year.  This is important given the fundamental areas of law practice generally covered during the first year of law school, such as contract law, tort law, and constitutional law
• Leverage academic support.  If your law school offers additional support services aimed at improving your preparation, use these as much as possible. These services can include one-on-one tutoring, academic counseling, and mock exam programs
• Obtain practical legal experience.  If possible, gain as much practical experience as you can during law school (e.g., through summer internships, mock trials, etc.). This can go a long way in cementing your legal knowledge
• Adopt a broad study approach.  When studying for the bar exam, you should aim for a wide-ranging understanding of various subjects rather than an in-depth study of a few. This is important given the huge amount of content you’ll need to learn for this test.

Most importantly, make sure you maintain a consistent study schedule so you don’t have to resort to last-minute cramming.

Research shows students can retain a higher degree of information — and more easily — when revisiting old content vs. learning it for the first time. This is known as Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve.

Other Illinois Bar Requirements

Apart from qualifying for and passing the Illinois bar exam, there are a couple of other requirements you will need to meet in order to operate legitimately as a licensed attorney in the state, including:

• The Character and Fitness Evaluation (Rules 706 and 708)
• The Newly Admitted Attorney Requirement (Rule 793)

1. Character and Fitness Evaluation (Rules 706 and 708)

To become a licensed attorney in Illinois, you must pass a thorough character and fitness evaluation conducted by the Board.

This evaluation typically includes inquiries into your background with educational institutions, employers, and other relevant entities deemed necessary by the committee.

Note:  The committee considers letters of character and recommendation at their discretion, but they aren’t obligated to take these into account.

2. Newly Admitted Attorney Requirements (Rule 793)

As a newly admitted attorney in Illinois, you will need to complete a mandatory basic skills course. This focuses on essential areas, such as professional conduct rules, client communication, and trust account management.

In addition to this requirement, you will need to complete nine hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credits.

You must fulfill both of these requirements by the last day of the month that marks one year from your date of admission to the Illinois bar.

For detailed information on the post-qualifying requirements for attorneys in Illinois, please refer to  Supreme Court Rule 793  on the Illinois Courts’ official website.

Note:  In lieu of the Basic Skills Course requirement, you’ll have the option of participating in a mentoring program approved by the  Illinois Commission on Professionalism .

Admission on Motion (Reciprocity)

In Illinois, experienced attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions have the opportunity to be admitted to the Illinois Bar through a process called admission on motion, as authorized by the Supreme Court Rule 705.

This process allows for admission without the need to retake the bar exam — as long as the candidate meets certain criteria that demonstrates their competency and dedication to the legal profession.

The Board requires candidates to meet the following criteria in order to receive admission on motion:

• Attorneys must have been licensed and actively practicing law in the highest court of any US state, territory, or the District of Columbia for at least three out of the last five years
• Attorneys must fulfill the educational requirements as per Rule 703, which includes completing a high school education, at least 90 semester hours of college or university coursework, and earning a law degree from an ABA-approved law school
• Applicants must meet Illinois’s character and fitness standards as verified by the Committee on Character and Fitness
• Attorneys who’ve practiced law for fewer than 15 years will need to pass the MPRE in Illinois or any other jurisdiction
• Applicants must be in good disciplinary standing and maintain active status in at least one jurisdiction in which they’re licensed

Note : Individuals who’ve failed the bar exam in Illinois within the past five years aren’t eligible for admission on motion.

To apply for admission on motion in Illinois, you must take the following steps:

• Complete a preliminary questionnaire.  Candidates seeking an admission on motion must first complete a preliminary questionnaire and receive approval — a free process
• Submit a formal application.  Upon approval of the preliminary questionnaire, attorneys may proceed with the formal application process and pay the associated fee of $1,500

Note:  For more information on the admission on motion process, please refer to the Board’s  official website .

Illinois Bar Exam FAQ

Can you take the bar exam without going to law school in illinois.

For practicing attorneys from other jurisdictions, the Illinois State Bar Association offers an admission on motion pathway. This alternative route — primarily used by those actively practicing law — involves fulfilling specific criteria, including a character and fitness questionnaire. Interested in learning more? Check out our  What is the Bar Exam  article.

How long is the Illinois bar exam?

The  Illinois bar exam , which lasts two days, includes the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) and the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) on day one followed by the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) on day two. This structure follows the guidelines set by the American Bar Association. Each day’s sessions amount to approximately six hours of examination time.

How hard is it to pass the Illinois State bar examination?

The difficulty of the Illinois bar exam, aligned with the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) standard, is significant, yet manageable with dedicated study. Understanding the Illinois bar exam structure is essential, and reviewing past Illinois bar exam results can provide valuable insights into its difficulty and inform effective study strategies for success.

How much does the Illinois bar exam cost?

The cost of the Illinois bar exam varies based on tiered registration fees for applicants. First-time registrants will face fees of $950 to $1,450, depending on the timing of their Illinois bar exam application submission. Those who’ve previously registered have to pay a reduced fee.

Bar Exam Basics

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Illinois Bar Application

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Illinois Essay Questions from prior exams

• Illinois Essay Questions - Prior Exams

General Information

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 704 sets forth the requirements for qualification on examination, which includes an academic qualification examination, also known as the Illinois bar exam.

When - February and July 

The Illinois bar exam is offered twice a year on the last consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday in February and July.

Where - Chicago

The Illinois bar exam is administered at various venues in Chicago.

The February bar exam will be held at the University of Illinois of Chicago Forum (UIC Forum) located at 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago 60608.

The July  bar exam venue(s) will be announced at a later date.

Notices of Eligibility for the exam are posted to his/her user homepage approximately 2 weeks prior to the exam.

From the website of the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar.  

Components of the Illinois Bar Exam

There are four components to the Illinois two-day bar exam:

• The Illinois Essay Examination (IEE): 3 questions, 90 minutes.
• The  Multistate Performance Test  (MPT): 1 question, 90 minutes.
• The  Multistate Essay Exam  (MEE): 6 questions, 3 hours.
• The  Multistate Bar Examination  (MBE): 200 questions, 6 hours.

Sources:  National Conference of Bar Examiners , and  Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar

Applicants must also:

• Take the  Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam :  The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar also requires applicants to pass, by a scaled score of 80 or more, the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). Register here .
• Submit to a  Character and Fitness  inquiry, which they can initiate as early as their 1L year. Start the process here .
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Bar exam essay questions with answers.

Passing the bar exam requires more than just knowing the law. Passing the bar exam also requires the ability to properly analyze a bar exam question, organize the issues, and write an effective answer. To demonstrate essay exam proficiency and how to apply the essential test-taking skills, consider the following bar exam sample question below, which will be used as an example to demonstrate how to approach an essay from start to finish, step-by-step, in order to produce a passing written answer.

February 2020 CA Bar Exam Question - Contracts

Barn Exports ("Barn") hired Sam, an up-and-coming artist whose work was recently covered in Modern Buildings Magazine, to paint a one-of-a-kind artistic design along the border of the ceiling in its newly renovated lobby. After discussing the work, Ed, the president of Barn, and Sam signed a mutually drafted handwritten contract, which states in its entirety:

Sam shall paint a unique design along the entire ceiling border of all public areas of the first-floor lobby. Barn shall pay $75,000 upon completion of the work.

When Sam began work, he was surprised that the new plaster ceiling in the lobby had not been sanded and sealed. Sam complained, but was told by Ed that preparation was part of his responsibilities. Although Sam disagreed, he spent four days sanding and sealing the ceiling. When Sam finished painting, he submitted a bill for $78,000, having added $3,000 for labor and supplies used in preparing the ceiling. In response, Barn sent a letter to Sam stating that, because he had not painted the borders in the two public restrooms in the lobby, no payment was yet due. Barn's letter also stated that it had recently spoken to several artists who perform similar work and learned that "surface preparation" was typically the responsibility of the artist.

According to Sam, before the contract was signed, he told Ed that the restrooms could not be included because his paints were not suitable for the high humidity in those locations.

Sam sued Barn for breach of contract in the amount of $78,000.

Barn countersued for specific performance to have the borders in the bathrooms painted.

• Is Sam likely to prevail in his breach of contract lawsuit against Barn and if so, what damages will he likely recover? Discuss.
• Is Barn likely to prevail in its lawsuit seeking specific performance against Sam? Discuss.

Step 1 – Call Of The Question

First, always start with the Call of the Question, which is usually located at the end of the exam, because the Call reveals what the Examiners want to know so the facts, yet to be read, can be put in that context. To interpret the Call, use the acronym SPOIL, which stands for the subject matter ( S ), parties ( P ), organizational structure ( O ), issues ( I ), and applicable law ( L ).

Like most Calls, the ones in the Contracts bar exam sample question reveal a wide variety of information, including:

(S) Subjects being tested - Contracts/Remedies:

• Call 1 specifies a "breach of contract lawsuit" and asks about "damages", which is a remedy in contracts.
• Call 2 specifies a "lawsuit seeking specific performance." Specific performance is also a remedy in contracts.

(P) Parties: Sam and Barn

• Call 1 asks about "Sam…in his…lawsuit against Barn."
• Call 2 asks about "Barn…in its lawsuit…against Sam."

(O) Organization structure to be considered - Sam vs. Barn, followed by Barn vs. Sam

• Call 1 asks about the "Sam…lawsuit against Barn."
• Call 2 asks about the Barn…lawsuit…against Sam."

Issues – Breach of contract, damages, and specific performance.

• Call 1 asks about "breach" and "damages." The second to last line provides "Sam sued Barn" for "$78,000."The facts, yet to be read in their entirety, can be put in the context of whether there was a "breach" by Barn that supports Sam's "$78,000 damages" claim.
• Call 2 asks about "specific performance." The last line provides "…specific performance to have the borders in the bathrooms painted." The facts, yet to be read in their entirety, can be put in the context of whether the court will find that Sam promised to paint the bathroom borders, and order such performance to Barn.

(L) There is no reference to the applicable law

Contracts test both common law or the Uniform Commercial Code (U.C.C.) The sample exam does not state which body of law to use. Thus, based on the facts, the examinee must make this determination after reading the fact pattern.

2 – Read The Facts To Understand The Story

Second, read the hypothetical facts once for content only. Focus on the story. Pay attention to the names of the parties, dates, quoted language, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, etc. If there is any confusion, read the hypothetical again for clarity.

In reading the exam facts, pay attention to the names of the parties ("Sam" and "Barn") mentioned in the Call. 

"Ed" is not a named party in the Call, but Ed is identified in the first paragraph as "the president of Barn." This reveals that based on Ed's conduct as an agent of Barn, Sam will likely impute arguments against Barn and vice versa.

There is not much in the way of dates, but "surface preparation" is quoted language from Barn's letter.  This is the Examiners' way of flagging that "surface preparation" is going to raise one or more issues and/or arguments. Further, the indentation of the contract terms is equivalent to quoted language, because the Examiners are drawing your attention to that text.

Finally, pay attention to verbs, adverbs, and/or adjectives, which are discussed below in Step 3. If there is any confusion about the content of the Sam v. Barn lawsuit and Barn v. Sam countersuit, read the exam facts again for a full understanding of the story. 

Step 3 – Issue Spot

Third, once understanding the story, begin issue spotting. Start at the beginning of the exam. Go paragraph-by-paragraph, sentence-by-sentence. As each issue is identified, jot it down in the margin of the exam next to the facts that raised it. By starting at the beginning of the fact pattern to issue spot, the first paragraph leads into Ed and Sam signing a contract, which states the terms that are intended for emphasis.

Here, the contract states, "Sam shall paint…" The verb "paint" may raise a goods contract if the contract requires Sam to deliver paint, or a services contract if the contract simply requires Sam to paint an existing area or object.

Further facts that state Sam shall paint "…a unique design along the entire ceiling border…" identify the applicable law as common law because "to paint along a border" is a service.

Continue the issue spotting process as described in the last paragraph of the exam question.

Step 4 – Utilize Mental Checklists And Approaches

Fourth, if during the study process , mental checklists and approaches for issue spotting have been developed, use them to pick up extra issues that could be overlooked without them. Mental checklists and approaches are recommended issue spots tools that every law student should develop during the study process, because they assist issue spotting and the more issues spotted and analyzed in the answer, the higher the grade will be.

In the Contracts bar exam sample question, the fact that Ed and Sam signed the mutually drafted $75,000 contract to paint the design makes offer, acceptance, and consideration fairly straightforward issues that may be picked up without a checklist.

However, defenses are commonly overlooked, which makes a Contracts defense checklist essential to trigger issues that could be missed without one.

The following is an example of the Fleming's Fundamentals Contracts defense approach that illustrates a mnemonic memory device: S o U nless A l I s M istaken, I M issed A erobics F itness D uring P hysical E ducation.  Each capital letter represents a contract defense that may be raised by the facts:

S – Statute of Frauds

U - Unconscionability

A – Adhesion Contract

I - Incapacity

M – Mistake

I – Illegality

M – Misrepresentation

A – Ambiguity

PE – Parol Evidence

In the Contracts sample question, the fact that "According to Sam, before the contract was signed, he told Ed that the restrooms could not be included…" raises the parol evidence rule, which bars oral statements (such as what Sam "told" Ed) made prior to the signed writing. This is critical evidence that Sam needs to introduce and that Barn needs to exclude, because the facts and the Call make Sam's obligation to related to the restrooms an important issue analysis.

Furthermore, one exception to the parol evidence rule is an ambiguity, i.e., allowing extrinsic evidence to resolve whether or not "all public areas of the first-floor lobby" in the contract include or exclude the bathrooms as Barn and Sam assert, respectively.

Step 5 – Reread The Call

Fifth, reread the Call of the Question to confirm a thorough understanding of what the Examiners want in the answer.

• Call 1, if Sam will likely prevail in Sam v. Barn for breach of contract and if so, what damages will he likely recover. 
• Call 2, if Barn will likely prevail in Barn v. Sam seeking specific performance.

Step 6 – Organize Issues On An Outline Sheet

Sixth, transfer the issues to a formal outline sheet, making sure they are properly organized. Jot down the formation issues of offer, acceptance and consideration, making sure they are properly organized first under Sam v. Barn (the first lawsuit as Call 1 dictates). Follow with defense issues of parol evidence rule and ambiguity. Continue through the damages issues as requested in the Call.

Repeat the outlining process with its particular issues for Call 2.

Step 7 – Reread Hypothetical One More Time

Seventh, go back and skim the hypothetical one last time to pick up any additional issues that may have been overlooked in steps #3 and #4. Add those issues to the outline.

Step 8 – Double Check Work - Reread The Call One More Time

Eighth, reread the Call of the Question one last time, making sure the issues on the outline are properly organized under the appropriate call if there is more than one.

Step 9 – Write The Final Answer

Finally, write the answer, using the proper presentation for each issue, which is usually referred to as IRAC (issue, rule, analysis, conclusion) or IREAC (issue, rule, explanation, analysis, conclusion).

To check your answer, enter your email address below to download the answer sheet for the above sample bar exam questions. The answer sheet shows you how to use the proper IRAC presentation as demonstrated for each issue above. The answer sheet is a teaching tool to demonstrate the culmination of the above series of sequential steps to follow to properly analyze, organize, and write a passing bar exam essay answer.

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The Smart Guide to the MEE

• MEE Jurisdictions
• Format & Overview of the MEE
• A Step-by-Step Approach on How to Read, Organize, & Draft Your Answer to an MEE Essay Question
• 15 MEE Tips to Increase Your Essay Score
• How to Study & Prepare for the MEE
• MEE Practice: How to Use Model Essay Answers & Sample Examinee Answers Effectively

Where to Find Past MEE’s

• MEE Grading & Scoring
• What’s Next?
• Download the PDF

A Guide to Mastering the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE)

(including free essay questions & answers), what you’ll learn:.

• Where to find Past MEE Questions & Answers (including FREE sources)

We have compiled the following lists of where you can find past MEE essay questions and answers that are available from the NCBE and UBE/MEE jurisdictions.

Past MEE Questions & Model Analyses (released by the NCBE)

Recent MEE Questions-Analyses :

• MEE Questions and Analyses from recent exams can be purchased from the NCBE store here .

FREE Sources of MEE Questions-Analyses :

• The six MEE questions ( without analyses) from the most recent exam can be downloaded for FREE on the NCBE website here .
• MEE Questions and Analyses from older administrations can be downloaded for FREE on the NCBE website via the links below.

Sample Examinee Answers (released by UBE/MEE Jurisdictions)

Below you can find links to MEE Questions and Sample Examinee Essay Answers released by Arkansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, and South Dakota.

NOTE:  Be careful when reviewing examinee answers for other years not listed above.  We have intentionally omitted certain exam years because the MEE was not used in that jurisdiction at the time.  For example, DO NOT use any New York bar exam released essay answers prior to July 2016 – when NY switched to the UBE format.  These were omitted because New York administered different state specific essays prior to that exam – those examinee answers were based on New York specific law.

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Many state bar associations post former bar exam essay questions and sample answers on their websites. These model answers are useful for studying for the bar and final exams.

Search online for state bar exam questions and answers, or use the list provided at the bottom of this page. Access is free.

• Try writing a response to a practice question, then comparing your response to the model answer.
• Some bar exam questions require the application of state law (e.g., California civil procedure), and may not be helpful if you are studying federal law. Read the question carefully. 
• Subject coverage will vary by exam and by state.

1L Subjects:

• Civil Procedure (federal and state questions)
• Constitutional Law
• Contract Law
• Criminal Law

2L/3L Subjects:

• Business Organizations
• Conflict of Laws
• Criminal Procedure
• Family Law/Community Property
• Professional Responsibility/Ethics
• Secured Transactions (Uniform Commercial Code 2)
• Wills & Trusts

Sample Exam Questions & Answers By State

• Mississippi
• Pennsylvania
• UBE  (Many of the states on this list administer the UBE, but the states offer more recent model essay answers than the UBE)
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