The value for the minimum passing standard for total bar exam score based on a 200-point scale is a rough approximation of the score on a 200-point scale that would be required to meet the jurisdiction’s minimum passing standard. This value is not applicable to individual bar examination components, nor is it used to determine actual pass/fail outcome. In addition, local grading policies, bar exam characteristics, and other statistical factors may lead to fluctuations in these values and may affect comparability across jurisdictions.
Supplemental Remarks
California The exam is weighted 50% MBE and 50% written (both essay and performance test scores).
Delaware The exam is weighted 50% MBE and 50% written (both essay and performance test scores).
Florida The state component of the Florida General Bar Examination contains both locally developed essay and multiple-choice questions. Equal weight is given to all subparts of the state component of the General Bar Examination. The result of the state component is weighted equally with the MBE in determining whether an applicant passes the General Bar Examination.
Hawaii The MBE is weighted 50%. The individual remaining items, which consist of 6 MEE questions, 2 MPT tasks, and a locally developed Hawaii Legal Ethics Examination consisting of 15 multiple-choice questions, are all equally weighted for a cumulative total of 50%.
Louisiana Each of 9 subject-matter tests which comprise the examination may include essay, short answer, and/or multiple-choice items.
Nevada In order to pass, applicants must also earn a scaled score of 75 or higher on at least 3 written essay questions.
South Dakota The examination includes both the MBE and a written component that consists of 1 locally developed essay question, 5 MEEs,
and 2 MPTs. There is a separate minimum passing standard on each component. To pass the examination, an applicant must achieve a score of
133 or greater on the MBE and an average score of 75% on the written component.
Virginia An attorney who holds an active license to practice law and is in good standing in a jurisdiction other than Virginia, and has taken and passed a bar exam in a jurisdiction other than Virginia, may take only the Virginia essay portion of the exam. No MBE exam score is required. Their score is based solely on the raw points awarded on the Virginia Essay exam. A minimum score of 64 raw points, out of a possible 100 raw points, is a passing score.
Wisconsin The written component of the examination may include performance on the MPT, the MEE, and/or locally developed essay questions. The composition and weight of these written subcomponents may vary by administration.
Northern Mariana Islands The examination includes both the MBE and a written component that consists of the MPT, the MEE, and locally developed essay questions.
Palau The exam includes the MBE and written components that consists of MEE, MPT, and locally developed essay questions. MBE passing score is 120 or higher, and a passing score of 65 or higher for each of the other individual components.
Puerto Rico The combined passing score is 569 points out of 1,000. Exam dates are in March and September.
Supplemental Remarks
California The exam is weighted 50% MBE and 50% written (both essay and performance test scores).
Florida The state component of the Florida General Bar Examination contains both locally developed essay and multiple-choice questions. Equal weight is given to all subparts of the state component of the General Bar Examination. The result of the state component is weighted equally with the MBE in determining whether an applicant passes the General Bar Examination.
Hawaii The MBE is weighted 50%. The individual remaining items, which consist of 6 MEE questions, 2 MPT tasks, and a locally developed Hawaii Legal Ethics Examination consisting of 15 multiple-choice questions, are all equally weighted for a cumulative total of 50%.
Louisiana Each of 9 subject-matter tests which comprise the examination may include short answer and/or multiple-choice items.
Nevada In order to pass, applicants must also earn a scaled score of 75 or higher on at least 3 written essay questions.
South Dakota The examination includes both the MBE and a written component that consists of 1 locally developed essay question, 5 MEEs,
and 2 MPTs. There is a separate minimum passing standard on each component. To pass the examination, an applicant must achieve a score of
133 or greater on the MBE and an average score of 75% on the written component.
Wisconsin The written component of the examination may include performance on the MPT, the MEE, and/or locally developed essay questions. The composition and weight of these written subcomponents may vary by administration.
Northern Mariana Islands The examination includes both the MBE and a written component that consists of the MPT, the MEE, and locally developed essay questions.3
Palau The exam includes the MBE and a written component that includes the MEE, the MPT, and locally developed essay questions. There is a separate minimum passing standard for each component. To pass the exam, an applicant must achieve a score of 120 or higher on the MBE and a score of 65 or higher on each individual component.
Puerto Rico The combined passing score is 596 points out of 1,000. Exam dates are in March and September.
