Ultimate Guide to New York State Bar Exam
The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) was formed in 1876. The voluntary organization has about 74,000 members. There are about 182,000 lawyers in New York.
New York is one of 40+ jurisdictions that have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) for their state bar review. New York first administered the UBE in July 2016.
New York Bar Exam Pass Rates
July 2023 (9,779 takers)
Overall Pass Rate: 66%
First-Time Pass Rate: 76%
Repeat Pass Rate: 29%
February 2023 (3,660 takers)
Overall Pass Rate: 40%
First-Time Pass Rate: 56%
Repeat Pass Rate: 31%
February 2022 (3,068 takers)
Overall Pass Rate: 45%
First-Time Pass Rate: 61%
Repeat Pass Rate: 30%
July 2021 (9,227 takers)
Overall Pass Rate: 63%
First-Time Pass Rate: 78%
Repeat Pass Rate: 18%
New York Bar Review Courses
Compare top New York Bar Exam prep courses from Crushendo, Barbri, Themis, Kaplan, AmeriBar, and BarMax.
| Crushendo | Barbri | Themis | Kaplan | AmeriBar | BarMax |
|---|
| *Cost | $970 | $1,999-4,199 | $2,695 | $2,199-3,999 | $1,299-2,599 | $1,895 |
| Facebook Rating | 5.0 | Disabled | 4.8 | Disabled | Disabled | 4.3 |
| Google Rating | 5.0 | N/A | 2.8 | 3.2 | N/A | N/A |
| MBE |  | | | | | |
| MEE | | | | | | |
| MPT | | | | | | |
| NCBE Questions | 1,750+ | 100+ | 1,350+ | 1,200+ | 1,400+ | 1,700+ |
| Audio Flashcards | |
| 250+ Mnemonics | |
| Access Period | Lifetime | 8-10 weeks | 4 months | 4 months | Up to 3 years | Lifetime |
| Financing |  | | 3 payments | $250 registration |  | |
| Founded | 2017 | 1974 | 2008 | 1938 | 1999 | 2010 |
| Phone | (385) 482-1776 | (888) 322-7274 | (888) 843-6476 | (626) 390-7170 | (877) 942-2763 | (800) 529-2651 |
Last updated: 1/7/23
*Cost ignores promotions and live tutoring.
Crushendo
Barbri
Themis
Kaplan
AmeriBar
BarMax
Crushendo
Crushendo’s written and audio outlines utilize 250+ proprietary mnemonics to help you memorize everything you need to know to pass the bar exam on your first try.
Crushendo’s complete bar prep course, the UBE Suite, costs $970 and includes 1,750+ official practice questions from the NCBE.
Crushendo offers lifetime access for all of its bar exam prep products.
Barbri
The Harcourt publishing company founded Barbri in 1974 when it acquired two bar review programs. Since its founding, Barbri has been owned by large firms including Thomson Reuters and Leeds Equity Partners.
Barbri products have been used by more than a million law school students. In the last 20 years Barbri has settled multiple antitrust lawsuits.
Barbri’s traditional bar prep programs cost $1,999-4,199 and some include 100+ official NCBE questions from past bar exams.
Barbri offers access to its traditional, full-time bar prep course for 8-10 weeks, but early access can be purchased.
Themis
Themis Bar Review is based in Chicago and was founded in 2008.
Themis’s bar prep program costs $2,695 and includes 1,350+ NCBE questions.
Themis offers access to its online products for four months.
Kaplan
Stanley Kaplan founded Kaplan, Inc. in 1938.
Kaplan jumped into the bar review space in 2006 when it acquired PMBR, a company that provides test prep for the MBE. In 2008 Kaplan expanded its bar review offerings.
Kaplan’s bar prep programs cost $2,199-3,999 and include 1,200+ NCBE questions.
Kaplan offers access to its online products for four months.
AmeriBar
Alexander Nakis founded AmeriBar in 1999. It’s headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida.
AmeriBar’s bar exam prep programs cost $1,299-2,599 and include 1,400+ NCBE questions.
AmeriBar offers access to its online products for up to three years.
BarMax
Michael Ghaffary and Mehran Ebadolahi founded BarMax in 2010.
BarMax’s bar prep course costs $1,895 and includes 1,700+ NCBE questions.
BarMax offers lifetime access to its online products.
New York State Bar Exam Format
What’s the format of the UBE?
The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is administered twice each year in New York (in February, and July). The examination is administered over two days, in four, three-hour sessions. The UBE has three parts: the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).
MBE
The MBE is a six hour test and consists of 200 multiple choice questions that test your understanding across seven subjects. Your MBE score comprises 50% of your overall UBE score.
Crushendo offers affordable, comprehensive written and audio outlines for MBE subjects (in addition to MEE and MPRE subjects).
Watch Crushendo’s free MBE tips video.
MEE
The MEE consists of six 30-minute legal essays. The MEE makes up 30% of your score.
Essay topics may include the following: Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Property, Secured Transactions, Torts, Trusts, Unincorporated Business Entities, Wills and Estates, etc.
Crushendo offers the most recent MEE questions and includes the point sheets that the graders used. Watch Crushendo’s free MEE tips video.
MPT
The MPT consists of two 90-minute tasks where you analyze and apply laws to specific scenarios. The MPT makes up 20% of your score. Crushendo offers the most recent MPT questions and includes the point sheets that the graders used. Watch Crushendo’s free MPT tips video.
What’s the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination?
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) tests your understanding of established standards of conduct for lawyers. The MPRE is administered three times each year (in March, August, and November). The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and is two hours long. Check out this MPRE Tips video!
Upcoming Bar Exam Schedule, Dates, Locations
Schedule
| Morning | Afternoon |
|---|
| Day 1 | MPT (3 hours) | MEE (3 hours) |
| Day 2 | MBE (3 hours) | MBE (3 hours) |
Dates
Locations
Albany (February & July)
Empire State Plaza Convention Hall
Concourse Level, Albany, NY 12242
Albany Capital Center
55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207
Buffalo (February & July)
Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center
153 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
New York City (February & July)
Jacob Javits Convention Center – Exhibition Hall 3E
11th Avenue at West 35th Street, Manhattan
Saratoga Springs (July)
Saratoga City Center
522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
White Plains (February & July)
Pace Law School/New York State Judicial Institute
78 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603
New York Bar Exam Application
Are you interested in taking the New York bar exam? Here’s some basic information on applying to take the New York bar exam.
Fees
Deadlines
Other Requirements
Fees
The New York bar exam application fee for most takers is $250. Foreign applicants have to pay $750. The application cost for UBE score transfer applicants is $250. The NCBE charges $25 for each UBE score transcript.
For those who desire to use a laptop to write their essays there is an additional fee of $100.
Deadlines
If you desire to take the bar exam in February, you should submit your bar exam application in November. If you want to take the July bar exam, you should submit your application in April.
*There’s no limit on how many times you can take the New York bar exam.
Other Requirements
In addition to passing the New York bar exam with a score of at least 266, there are several requirements that must be met in order to be admitted as an attorney in New York, including:
- Score 85 or higher on the MPRE within the accepted time frame.
- Complete an online course called the New York Law Course (NYLC).
- Pass an online test called the New York Law Exam (NYLE).
- Complete 50 hours of qualifying pro bono service (learn more).
- Satisfy the Skills Competency Requirement (learn more).
- Satisfy the character and fitness requirements.
New York State Board of Law Examiners
Physical address:
New York State Board of Law Examiners
Corporate Plaza Building 3
254 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, New York 12203-5195
Phone number: (518) 453-5990
Mailing address:
New York State Board of Law Examiners
Corporate Plaza Building 3
254 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, New York 12203-5195
New York Bar Exam: What to Bring
What to bring
- Your official government issued photo ID (U.S. driver’s license or passport) .
- Your seat ticket (print it online before the exam). The seat number on your seat ticket is your only form of identification used for the grading process.
Important notes
- You need to have these items with you for each of the four testing sessions.
- You must carry all permitted items into the testing center in one clear, re-sealable plastic food bag (photo ID, seat ticket, etc.).
Permitted items
- No. 2 pencils and erasers
- Blue or black ink pens (on the essay day only)
- Cash
- Keys
- Foam earplugs
- Feminine hygiene products
- Medications
- 1-liter drink in a clear, disposable, label-free, resealable plastic container
Prohibited items
All other items are prohibited, including:
- Bags
- Cell phones
- Notes
- Electronic devices
- Tissues
- Books
- Mechanical pencils
- Highlighters
- Flip flops
- Briefcases
- etc.
New York Bar Exam Scores and Grading
A passing score for the UBE in New York is 266/400. Scores of the three tests comprising the UBE are weighted as follows:
*A passing score for the MPRE in New York is 85/150.
New York Bar Review Course
Crushendo’s comprehensive UBE Suite comes with everything you need to crush the New York bar exam.
- MBE, MEE, and MPT Prep
- 250+ Proprietary Mnemonics
- 1,750+ Licensed NCBE Questions
- Audio Attack Outlines
- Audio Flashcards
- Lifetime Access
New York Bar Exam Results
View lists of those who passed the New York State Bar Exam, posted on the New York State Bar Association’s website:
Frequently Asked Questions
When are my New York Bar Exam results released?
February bar exam results are usually posted late April. July bar exam results are usually posted late October.
Can I see my New York Bar Exam score?
Yes. Candidates will be notified by email when results are published. The day results are released you will be able look up your score.
Can I appeal to have my New York Bar Exam re-graded?
No. If your initial score was 262 to 265 your test will be re-graded by additional graders. Your two scores will be used to compute your final UBE score, which is the score you will be able to see. You will not be able to see the initial score you received prior to re-grading.
How many times can I take the New York Bar Exam?
There’s no limit to how many times you can retake the UBE in New York.
New York Bar Exam Reciprocity
Applicants seeking to be admitted as attorneys in New York without taking the bar exam, must comply with Rule 520.10 of Rules of the Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors at Law.
Reciprocity Requirements Overview
In order to be eligible for admission on motion in New York, you must:
- Hold a Juris Doctor degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
- Have practiced law for five of the seven years prior to your application.
- Be admitted to practice law in a reciprocal jurisdiction.
- Be at least 27 years old.
- Have a certificate of good standing from each territory you’ve been admitted to practice law in.
- Pass any test of character and fitness deemed necessary by the Appellate Division.
- Comply with all requirements set forth in Rule 520.10 and pay the necessary fees.
Reciprocal Jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
*See Rule 520.10 for more information.
Law Schools in New York
Here’s a list of ABA Accredited law schools in New York.
Albany Law School of Union University
- Founded: 1851
- Located: Albany, NY
- Enrollment: About 460 students
- Tuition Cost: ~$47,450
- Bar Passage Rate: 71.3% (July 2017 first-time takers)
- Website:albanylaw.edu
Brooklyn Law School
- Founded: 1901
- Located: Brooklyn, NY
- Enrollment: About 1,100 students (2014)
- Tuition Cost: ~$55,000
- Bar Passage Rate: 78.6% (2017 first-time takers)
- Website:brooklaw.edu
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University)
- Founded: 1976
- Located: New York City, NY
- Enrollment: About 930 students (2017)
- Tuition Cost: ~$58,000 (2017)
- Bar Passage Rate: 85% (2017)
- Website:cardozo.yu.edu
City University of New York School of Law
- Founded: 1983
- Located: Long Island City, NY
- Enrollment: About 410 students (2010)
- Tuition Cost:~$25,600
- Bar Passage Rate: 86.8% (July 2017 first-time takers)
- Website:law.cuny.edu
Columbia University School of Law
- Founded: 1858
- Located: New York City, NY
- Enrollment: About 1,300 students (2013)
- Tuition Cost:~$70,000
- Bar Passage Rate: 95.6% (2009)
- Website:law.columbia.edu
Cornell Law School
- Founded: 1887
- Located: Ithaca, NY
- Enrollment: About 610 students (2018)
- Tuition Cost:~$67,750
- Bar Passage Rate: 94.1% (July 2018)
- Website:lawschool.cornell.edu
Fordham University School of Law
- Founded: 1905
- Located: New York City, NY
- Enrollment: About 1,480 students (2010)
- Tuition Cost:~$61,700
- Bar Passage Rate: 91% (2013 first-time takers)
- Website:fordham.edu..school_of_law
Maurice A. Deane School of Law (Hofstra University)
- Founded: 1970
- Located: Hempstead, NY
- Enrollment: About 1,100 students (2010)
- Tuition Cost:~$58,500
- Bar Passage Rate: 62% (July 2018 first-time takers)
- Website:law.hofstra.edu
New York Law School
New York University School of Law
Pace University School of Law
St. John’s University School of Law
- Founded: 1925
- Located: Jamaica, NY
- Enrollment: 233 students (Fall 2018 class)
- Tuition Cost:~$61,150
- Bar Passage Rate: 87% (July 2014)
- Website:stjohns.edu/law
University at Buffalo Law School
Syracuse University College of Law
- Founded: 1895
- Located: Syracuse, NY
- Enrollment: About 660 students (2010)
- Tuition Cost:~$51,500
- Bar Passage Rate: 83% (July 2018 first-time takers)
- Website:law.syr.edu
Touro Law Center
- Founded: 1980
- Located: Central Islip, NY
- Enrollment: About 800 students (2011)
- Tuition Cost:~$50,860
- Bar Passage Rate: 48.6% (July 2018 first time takers)
- Website:tourolaw.edu
Helpful Groups
Here are some Facebook groups you may find helpful before, and after passing the bar exam:
- Lawyer Moms of America – New York (1,421 members)
- New York City Bar Association – Lawyers Connect (1,195 members)
- Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) (987 members)
- International Lawyers in NYC (457 members)
- New York Democratic Lawyers Council (456 members)
- New York County Lawyers’ Association (NYCLA) – Young Lawyers Section (388 members)
- Brazilian Lawyers in New York (334 members)
- Greater New York Lawyers Network (281 members)
- Ask a Lawyer – NY (75 members)
Albany Law School
- Albany Law School Alumni (824 members)
- Albany Law School Class of 2021 (278 members)
- Albany Law School Class of 2020 (234 members)
- Albany Law School Class of 2019 (219 members)
- Albany Law School Class of 2022 (194 members)
- Albany Law School–entering class 2019 (161 members)
- Albany Law School Pro Bono Society (78 members)
Brooklyn Law School
- Brooklyn Law School Entering Class of 2019 (483 members)
- Brooklyn Law School Entering Class of 2018 (449 members)
- Brooklyn Law School Entering Class of 2017 (412 members)
- Black Law Students Association – Brooklyn Law School (189 members)
- Brooklyn Law School Alliance for Transparency and Accountability (152 members)
- Intellectual Property Law Association, Brooklyn Law School (90 members)
- Brooklyn Law School Art Law Association (89 members)
- Italian-American Law Students Association, Brooklyn Law School (43 members)
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University
- Cardozo School of Law Fall 2017 Entering Class (437 members)
- Cardozo School of Law Fall 2018 Entering Class (410 members)
- Cardozo School of Law Fall 2019 Entering Class (284 members)
- Cardozo School of Law May 2018 Entering Class (137 members)
- Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law 2017 OCI (133 members)
City University of New York School of Law
Columbia University School of Law
- Columbia Law School (2.3K members)
- Columbia Law School — Class of 2018 (708 members)
- Columbia Law School — Class of 2019 (661 members)
- Columbia Law School – Class of 2020 (610 members)
- Columbia Law School Class of 2021 (505 members)
- Columbia Law School LLM – Class 2018 (467 members)
- Columbia Law School – LLM Class of 2019 (434 members)
- Columbia Law School Class of 2022 (325 members)
- Columbia Law School – LL.M. Class of 2020 (313 members)
- Columbia Law School – Visiting Scholars (258 members)
- Columbia Law School — Korean Students (141 members)
- Columbia Law School – Foodies and Theatre Lovers (116 members)
- Columbia Law School – LLM Class of 2020 (108 members)
- Columbia Law School NALSA (85 members)
Cornell Law School
- Cornell Law School Housing (360 members)
- Cornell Law School J.D. Class of 2018 (291 members)
- Cornell Law School J.D. Class of 2017 (256 members)
- Cornell Law School J.D. Class of 2021 (244 members)
- Cornell Law School J.D. Class of 2020 (239 members)
- Cornell Law School J.D. Class of 2019 (239 members)
- Cornell Law School J.D. Class of 2022 (197 members)
- Cornell Law School LL.M. Class of 2017 (132 members)
Fordham University School of Law
- Fordham Law Class of 2022/2023 Admitted Students (390 members)
- Fordham Law School LALSA (152 members)
- Fordham Law School Alumni from Korea (103 members)
- Fordham University School of Law LL.M. Alumni (74 members)
Maurice A. Deane School of Law (Hofstra University)
- Hofstra Law Class of 2022 (279 members)
- Hofstra Law School Immigration Law Society (131 members)
- International Law Society at Hofstra Law School (117 members)
New York Law School
- New York Law School: Italian Law Student Association (ILSA) (145 members)
- New York Law School Moot Court Alumni Organization (114 members)
New York University School of Law
- NYU LL.M. 2019 – 2020 (559 members)
- NYU Law Class of 2022 (254 members)
- NYU Women of Color Collective (WOCC) (242 members)
- NYU School of Law Korean JD (115 members)
- NYU Japanese Law Society (JLS) (85 members)
Pace University School of Law
- Pace Law School Student Bar Association (343 members)
- Pace Law School Class of 2020 (305 members)
- Pace Law School Class of 2019 (294 members)
- Pace Law School Class of 2018 (273 members)
- Pace Law School Class of 2021 (272 members)
- Pace Law School Class of 2017 (257 members)
- Pace Law School Class of 2022 (240 members)
- Black Law Students Association at Pace University School of Law (BLSA) (101 members)
St. John’s University School of Law
- St. John’s Law: Class of 2020 (Day) / 2021 (Eve) (279 members)
- St. John’s Law: Class of 2019 (Day) / 2020 (Eve) (278 members)
- St. John’s Law: Class of 2018 (Day) / 2019 (Eve) (265 members)
- St. John’s Law: Class of 2021 (full time) / 2022 (part time) (250 members)
- St. John’s Law: Class of 2017 (Day) / 2018 (Eve) (216 members)
- St. John’s Law: Class of 2022 (full time) / 2023 (part time) (182 members)
- St. John’s University School of Law APALSA (135 members)
University at Buffalo Law School
- Class of 2018 – University at Buffalo School of Law (290 members)
- Class of 2017 – University at Buffalo School of Law (289 members)
- Class of 2019 – University at Buffalo School of Law (258 members)
- Class of 2020 – University at Buffalo School of Law (231 members)
- Class of 2021 – University at Buffalo School of Law (201 members)
- Class of 2022 – University at Buffalo School of Law (124 members)
- OUTLaw-University at Buffalo School of Law (98 members)
- LL.M. Students – University at Buffalo School of Law (61 members)
Syracuse University College of Law
- Syracuse Law Class of 2022 (212 members)
- Syracuse Law Class of 2021 (208 members)
- Syracuse Law Class of 2018 (195 members)
- Syracuse Law Class of 2019 (192 members)
- Syracuse Law Class of 2020 (149 members)
- Syracuse University College of Law Class of 2017 (136 members)
- Syracuse Law Review Alumni (57 members)
Touro Law Center
- Student Bar Association Touro Law School (447 members)
- Touro Law Class of 2018 (89 members)
- Touro Law 2017 (81 members)
- Touro Law School: Class of 2020 (47 members)
- Touro Law Alumni Network (46 members)
- Touro Law Class of 2021 (32 members)
- Touro Law Class of 2022 (13 members)
Other Resources
More helpful resources and study materials to help you pass the New York State Bar Exam:
- New York Jurisdiction Information
- New York State Board Of Law Examiners
- New York Supreme Court
- National Conference of Bar Examiners
- American Bar Association
- Bar Prep Tips & Tricks YouTube Videos
- Awesome Law School “Lectures”
- Best Law School Audio Outlines
- Shop Crushendo
