What Subjects Are on the MEEĀ®?
Effective with the July 2026 bar exam, the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE®) will test only 8 subjects, through Feb. 2028, until the retirement of MEE in July 2028. The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBEĀ®) will test your ability to analyze issues, apply legal principles, and communicate effectively on the MEE through 6 essay questions, with some testing a single subject, and others combining 2 subjects within a fact pattern.
The current 8 MEE tested subjects are:
| Business Associations | Criminal Law and Procedure |
| Civil Procedure | Evidence |
| Constitutional Law | Real Property |
| Contracts and Sales | Torts |
Note for test-takers: 4 subjects previously tested under the Legacy Uniform Bar Examination (UBEĀ®): Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Secured Transactions, and Trusts and Estates, are no longer tested on the MEE. Family Law and Trusts and Estates will be tested regularly through the Multistate Performance Test (MPTĀ®).
MEE Subject Breakdowns
The 8 subjects below represent the full scope of what NCBE tests on the MEE questions. For each subject, you will find a brief overview, and the key subtopics most likely to appear on exam day. Use this alongside the frequency data in the next section to prioritize your study time.
Business Associations
Business Associations explores the legal foundations of corporations and partnerships, covering their creation, management, and dissolution.
Key topics include:
- Duties and responsibilities of directors and officers
- Shareholder rights and governance
- Legal complexities in business sales
- Fiduciary obligations within corporations
- Liability issues in partnership structures
This MEE tested subject covers 2 areas: Agency and Partnerships and Corporations and LLCs. These topics may be assessed individually or integrated into a single question.
Civil Procedure
Civil Procedure has appeared on the MEE every year since 2014 and is the most frequently tested subject. It covers the rules and procedures that courts must follow in civil cases, including how lawsuits are initiated, the steps involved in litigation, and the principles governing the jurisdiction and authority of courts.
Key topics include:
- Personal jurisdictions
- Subject matter jurisdiction
- Venue selection
- Different stages of a lawsuit: pleadings, discovery, trial procedures, and post-trial motions
- Federal-state relations and conflicts involving the Full Faith Credit Clause and the Erie Doctrine
Constitutional Law
Constitutional Law focuses on interpreting and applying the U.S. Constitution, addressing the structure of the federal government, the powers and limits of its branches, and the rights guaranteed to individuals.
Key topics include:
- Judicial review
- Federalism
- Application to modern issues
- Protection of rights.
- Conflicts between rights and government interests
Contracts and Sales
Contracts and Sales examines the principles governing the creation, interpretation, and enforcement of agreements between parties, as well as remedies for breaches.
Key topics include:
- Formation of contracts
- Breach of contract
- Defenses to enforcement
In addition to these foundational elements, UCC Article 2 governs the sale of goods, addressing unique aspects like warranties, risk of loss, and the statute of frauds. A strong understanding of common law principles and UCC provisions will help you master this subject.
Criminal Law and Procedure
Criminal Law and Procedure encompasses the legal principles and rules designed to keep the public safe and deter wrongful conduct. About half of the questions in this section will focus on the constitutional rights of those accused of a crime. The other half covers the definitions of criminal offenses, the rights of the accused, and the procedural steps from investigation to trial, sentencing, and appeals.
Key topics include:
- Homicide
- Other crimes (e.g., theft, assault)
- Inchoate offenses (attempts, conspiracy, solicitation)
- Defenses to crimes
- Constitutional protections for accused persons
- The process of criminal adjudication
Criminal Law and Procedure is a staple MEE tested subject, reflecting its fundamental role in the U.S. legal system. It is tested with moderate frequency, often focusing on the elements of major crimes, defenses, and constitutional safeguards during criminal proceedings.
Evidence
Evidence law governs the introduction of evidence presented at civil and criminal trials, specifying what information is admissible to judge the merits of a case. Ensure you answer these questions per the Federal Rules of Evidence, not your jurisdiction's rules of evidence. The presentation of evidence (objections, impeachments, etc.), hearsay, and relevancy make up over 80% of this issue.
Key topics include:
- Relevance
- Hearsay and its exceptions
- Character evidence
- Privileges
- The best evidence rule
- Impeachment of witnesses
Evidence is a highly tested area on the MEE, emphasizing its critical role in legal proceedings. Exam questions often revolve around the admissibility of evidence and its impact on trial outcomes.
Real Property
Real Property addresses the legal framework governing land, improvements, and related rights, often tested on the MEE through scenarios involving ownership, land use, and real estate transactions.
Key topics include:
- Ownership rights and interests
- Land use and zoning
- Easements and covenants
- Landlord-tenant issues
- Sales and financing of real property
Proficiency in these topics is crucial for addressing common property law issues, such as resolving title disputes, enforcing land use agreements, and managing landlord-tenant conflicts in real-world and exam settings.
Torts
People who have been wronged in some way, whether physically or financially, can often find recourse under tort law. Intentional torts, strict responsibility, product liability, and other torts will make up the other half of the questions in this section (nuisance, defamation, invasion of privacy, etc).
In this field of law, the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) advises you to assume:
- Survival actions and wrongful death claims are available where appropriate.
- Standards for pure comparative blame and joint and several liability apply unless otherwise stated.
Tort law involves civil wrongs causing harm or injury, where the injured party may seek compensation. It covers:
- Negligence
- Intentional torts
- Strict liability
- Defamation
- Privacy torts
MEE Subject Frequency and Pairing Patterns
The 6 MEE questions have several subjects tested, with some tested more than others. Historically, Civil Procedure appears on almost every exam and should be prioritized during preparation. Others, such as Conflict of Laws and Criminal Law, appear less frequently but are often paired with other topics. For example, Conflict of Laws may accompany Family Law or Contracts, while Real Property is usually tested alone. Understanding these patterns allows you to allocate study time efficiently, focusing on high-yield subjects while covering less common areas strategically.
Sometimes, the NCBE tests MEE subjects together in a single question. For example, Conflict of Laws is always tested with another subject, while Real Property is generally tested as a single question. See the chart below for how often subjects are tested alone or paired with another.
