past michigan bar exam essay questions

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Our Top 5 (Free!) Michigan Bar Exam Resources

Our top (free) michigan bar exam resources.

We know how expensive bar exam prep can get, especially after adding up application costs, character and fitness fees, and hotel/travel expenses. So, here are our top free Michigan Bar Exam resources!

1. How to pass the essay portion of the Michigan Bar Exam YouTube video and handout

This v ideo and handout will give you invaluable Michigan essay advice. It will go over highly tested issues and tips for tacking Michigan bar exam questions.

2. How to pass the MBE YouTube Video

If you struggle with the MBE, we are here to help! This video can guide you through developing a strategy to taking MBE questions.

The Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) is worth half your score in Michigan. Many students do not have the right outlook or approach toward it. In this video, we tell you how to pass the Multistate Bar Exam and how to see your score improve through practice. We recommend you download the PDF and watch the video.

3. MBE Strategies Subscription 

In this email series, we go through MBE questions one-by-one. We also focus on strategies to use for each type of MBE question. You can see a sample here and sign up to receive our MBE strategies tips right to your inbox.

We email about twice a week during bar exam season. Once the bar exam is over, we stop emailing unless you opt in to receiving further emails. We base questions off of real MBE questions, not ones developed by bar prep companies. That way, you are approximating what you’ll see on bar exam day as closely as possible.

4. Past Released Michigan Essay Questions

There is nothing better than practicing released Michigan essay questions. You can find them on this page . The Board of Law Examiners has released questions from February 2009 to the most recent exam.

We also recommend you check out this post on how to structure a Michigan bar exam essay answer . (You want to avoid structuring it like a law school essay!) And check out this post on self-grading . Self-grading is an invaluable skill. One of our students who scored in the 160’s on the last Michigan Bar Exam attributed her high score to self-grading.

Stay tuned for our best Michigan Bar Exam resources under $500! 

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Bar Examination Preparation: Previous Exams

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• MEE Questions and Analyses Above Link: Online access to test questions (most recent years not available) Library Location: Law Library Reserve KF303 .M435 (includes more recent questions than the NCBE website) Contains: MEE description, plus questions and sample answers from past exams.
• MPT, Multistate Performance Test (and Point Sheets) Above Link: Online access to test questions (most recent years not available) Library Location: Law Library Reserve KF303 .M68 (includes more recent questions than the NCBE website) Contains: The three MPTs administered in a given bar exam and the point sheets, which “outline all possible issues and points that might be addressed by an examinee” are reproduced in these volumes.
• Multistate Bar Examination Questions Above Link: Online access to very few sample test questions Library Location: Law Library Reserve KF303 .N37 Contains: The materials on reserve contain actual MBE questions and answers (without explanation) for assorted years, though the most recent volume is from 1992. Remember that questions from older years are dated; the NCBE recommends they NOT be used for substantive study.

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• Iowa State Bar Examination Library Location: Law Library Stacks KF303 .I55 Note: In February 2009, Iowa replaced the Iowa-specific essay portion of the bar exam with the MEE. The library has copies of past Iowa bar examination questions from 1966-July 2008.
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Multistate Essay Examination

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Preparing for the MEE

Test Format 

The MEE consists of six 30-minute questions. Areas of law that may be covered on the MEE include the following: Business Associations (Agency and Partnership; Corporations and Limited Liability Companies), Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts (including Article 2 [Sales] of the Uniform Commercial Code), Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Real Property, Torts, Trusts and Estates (Decedents' Estates; Trusts and Future Interests), and Article 9 (Secured Transactions) of the Uniform Commercial Code. Some questions may include issues in more than one area of law. The particular areas covered vary from exam to exam.  

Effective with the July 2026 bar exam, the following areas will no longer be tested on the MEE: Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts and Estates, and Secured Transactions.

For instructions provided with each MEE, see  Instructions for Taking the MEE .

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Bar exam practice questions & answers.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 2/16/24

As your bar exam looms near, it's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed by the multitude of statutes, cases, and complex legal terms you need to grasp. Sure, the multitude of legal concepts might feel like a handful, but we’re here to help! This guide will delve into some bar exam practice questions to provide a clearer perspective on the exam.

We're here to help you study! We've gathered a bunch of practice questions for the bar exam. And don't worry, we've also included all the answers and some explanations. Ready to start?

The bar exam, a critical milestone in every budding lawyer's journey , is notorious for its difficulty. But remember, with a strategic approach, consistent practice of real MBE practice questions, the perfect bar exam practice test, and the right mindset , you can significantly improve your chances of success.

Practice Questions and Answers

Bar exam prep can be expensive, so to start you off on the right foot, we’ll explore some free bar exam sample questions and answers, with a special emphasis on multiple-choice questions:

1. Torts Law: Understanding Liability and Damages

Question : Tom, in a moment of inattention, collides with Jerry's car, inflicting $2000 worth of damage. Jerry decides to sue Tom for negligence. Tom admits his mistake but refuses to pay, asserting that Jerry's car was already in a state of disrepair. Can Jerry still claim damages?

• Yes, Jerry can claim the full amount of $2000.
• No, Jerry cannot claim any damages because his car was already in disrepair.
• Yes, but Jerry can only claim half the amount ($1000) due to pre-existing damages.
• No, Jerry can only claim damages if Tom had intentionally caused the accident.

Correct Answer : A) Yes, Jerry can claim the full amount of $2,000.

Explanation

Tort cases are commonly referenced in MBE bar exam questions. In a tort case, such as this, Jerry can recover damages as long as he can prove the cost of repairs or the diminished value of his car due to the accident. Tom's belief about pre-existing damage doesn't negate his liability for the damages he caused. 

While the state of the car before the accident might be relevant in assessing the degree of damage caused by the accident, it does not absolve Tom of his responsibility to pay for the harm he directly caused.

2. Criminal Law: Grasping the Concept of Intent

Question : Can Ann be convicted of burglary if her defense is that she entered the building solely to seek refuge from a sudden storm?

• Yes, Ann can be convicted of burglary even if she entered the building to seek refuge from a sudden storm.
• No, Ann cannot be convicted of burglary if she entered the building solely to seek refuge from a sudden storm.
• Maybe, it depends on whether Ann had a history of committing crimes.
• It depends on the severity of the storm that Ann encountered.

Correct Answer : B. No, Ann cannot be convicted of burglary if she entered the building solely to seek refuge from a sudden storm.

Ann cannot be convicted of burglary if she can prove that she entered the building solely to seek refuge from a sudden storm. 

Burglary requires the intent to commit a crime upon entering a building, and seeking shelter from a storm is not a criminal act . Therefore, if Ann can validate her claim of seeking shelter, she lacks the requisite intent for a burglary conviction.

3. Constitutional Law: Freedom of Speech

Question : Which of the following statements is true regarding the state law that prohibits residents from criticizing the governor on social media?

• Yes, the law violates the First Amendment rights of the residents.
• No, the law does not violate the First Amendment rights of the residents.
• Maybe, it depends on the type of social media platform being used.
• It depends on the popularity of the governor.

Correct Answer : A. Yes, the law violates the First Amendment rights of the residents.

This is because the First Amendment of The Constitution protects the right to freely criticize the government, which would include government officials such as a state governor. A law that prohibits such criticism would likely be seen as infringing on these protected rights. 

4. Contracts Law: The Essentials of a Contract

Question : Which of the following statements is true regarding the scenario where Jane proposed to sell her car to John for $5,000, but sold the car to someone else the very next day without receiving any acceptance or consideration from John?

• Yes, John can sue Jane for breach of contract because she made an offer to him.
• No, John cannot sue Jane for breach of contract because no contract was formed between them.
• Maybe, John can sue Jane for breach of contract because he needed time to think it over.
• It depends on the type of contract Jane proposed.

Correct Answer : B. No, John cannot sue Jane for breach of contract because no contract was formed between them.

Many of the bar test questions you’ll see will involve contract law since it’s such an important part of the legal field. For a contract to be formed, it requires an offer, acceptance, and consideration. In this scenario, Jane made an offer to sell her car to John, but John did not accept the offer or provide any consideration to Jane. 

Therefore, there was no legally binding contract formed between them, and Jane was not obligated to sell the car to John. Since there was no contract, there can be no breach of contract, and John cannot sue Jane. 

Option A is incorrect because an offer alone does not constitute a contract. Option C is incorrect because John's need for more time to think it over is not relevant to the formation of a contract. Option D is incorrect because the type of contract proposed by Jane is irrelevant when no contract was formed.

5. Property Law: The Obligations of a Finder

Question : Is Jim legally allowed to keep the $1000 he found in a wallet in a public park, even though the owner later posted flyers in search of the wallet?

• Yes, Jim is legally allowed to keep the money as he found it in a public place.
• No, Jim is not legally allowed to keep the money as it belongs to the owner of the wallet.
• Maybe, it depends on whether Jim reported the found wallet to the authorities.
• It depends on whether Jim made any attempts to locate the owner of the wallet.

Correct Answer : B. No, Jim is not legally allowed to keep the money as it belongs to the owner of the wallet.

Jim is not legally allowed to keep the $1000 he found in the wallet in a public park. Property law requires finders of lost property to make a reasonable effort to return it to its rightful owner. Since the owner is known and has posted flyers in search of the wallet, Jim is legally bound to return the wallet and the money to the owner. 

Keeping the money without attempting to locate the owner is considered theft. Therefore, Jim is not allowed to keep the money, and he must make a reasonable effort to return the wallet to its rightful owner.

Hopefully going over these MBE practice questions in depth has helped you understand them better and offered insights into how to best approach them! Continue going over sample MBE questions and past bar exams to get familiar with various question types and feel prepared for test day! 

FAQs: Bar Exam Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions related to bar exam questions.

1. What Kind of Questions Are on the Bar Exam?

A standard bar exam comprises a combination of multiple-choice questions, often referred to as the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), essay questions, and performance tests. These questions encompass a broad array of legal areas, including, but not limited to, constitutional law, criminal law, civil procedure, contracts, and property law.

2. Is the Bar Exam Actually Hard?

Yes, the bar exam can feel very hard because it covers a lot of topics, there's limited time, and it's really important. But, with good studying, lots of practice , and a never-give-up attitude , many people do succeed.

3. How Can I Practice for the Bar Exam?

Preparation for the bar exam calls for a well-rounded approach. This includes gaining a firm understanding of legal principles, committing key facts and cases to memory, and rigorously working through bar exam practice questions. 

Using a mix of bar exam practice multiple choice questions and essays, as well as reviewing model answers, can substantially enhance your legal analytical abilities, as well as improving your speed and accuracy in test-taking. 

Additionally, consider joining a study group or enlisting the help of a tutor for structured guidance and support.

4. What Essay Questions Are on the Bar Exam?

Essay questions on the bar exam typically present a hypothetical scenario and require you to apply legal principles to analyze it. These questions are designed to test your ability to identify relevant legal issues, apply the law accurately, and articulate a logical and well-structured argument. 

Some jurisdictions also include Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) questions, which test knowledge across a wide range of legal topics.

Final Thoughts

Facing the bar exam may feel like a herculean task, but take heart in knowing that countless others have successfully surmounted this obstacle, and you certainly can too. 

Regular, methodical practice with bar exam questions and answers will not only deepen your understanding of the law but also refine your analytical skills and boost your self-confidence.

As you forge ahead with your preparation, keep this essential principle in mind - practice does not merely make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. View these bar exam sample questions as stepping stones that enable you to refine your techniques, rectify errors, and devise a strategy that best suits your individual learning style.

Ultimately, your success in the bar exam will stand as a testament to your unwavering dedication, determination, and mastery of legal knowledge. So, keep practicing, stay focused, and before long, you'll be on your way to joining the esteemed fraternity of licensed attorneys. 

Your journey may be tough, but the destination will certainly be worth it. Good luck!

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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

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• 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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Various State Bar Examiners release essay and performance test questions used on prior exams. Some states release sample answers to these exam questions. Review the past questions and answers as a part of your bar exam preparation. Links to released questions for available states are listed below:

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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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