The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE®) administers the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), which tests your understanding of professional conduct standards for lawyers. Here are some practical tips and free resources to learn how to make ethical judgments like a seasoned attorney — and ace your exam.
What Does the MPRE Test?
The MPRE tests your knowledge and understanding of disciplinary rules of professional conduct that originate from the American Bar Association (ABA), constitutional decisions, and generally accepted legal principles. More specifically:
- ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct
- ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct
- Constitutional decisions established in leading federal and state cases
- Generally accepted principles established in leading federal and state cases
MPRE Subject Frequency
For a detailed breakdown of each subject, see our MPRE Outline and review the official MPRE Subject Matter Outline.
| MPRE Frequency Chart | ||
|---|---|---|
| MPRE Topics | % | # |
| Regulation of the legal profession | 6-12% | 5-8 |
| The client-lawyer relationship | 10-16% | 5-8 |
| Client confidentiality | 6-12% | 3-6 |
| Conflicts of interest | 12-18% | 6-9 |
| Competence, legal malpractice, and other civil liability | 6-12% | 3-6 |
| Litigation and other forms of advocacy | 10-16% | 5-8 |
| Transactions and communications with persons other than clients | 2-8% | 1-4 |
| Different roles of the lawyer | 4-10% | 2-5 |
| Safekeeping funds and other property | 2-8% | 1-4 |
| Communications about legal services | 4-10% | 2-5 |
| Lawyers' duties to the public and the legal system | 2-4% | 1-4 |
| Judicial conduct | 2-8% | 1-4 |
MPRE Format
The MPRE is a 2-hour, multiple-choice exam administered on computers at Pearson VUE testing centers. It consists of 60 questions — 50 scored and 10 unscored pretest questions, which are indistinguishable from the scored ones. Each question has 4 answer choices, and scores are based on the number of correct answers, with no penalty for guessing.
Learn more about MPRE scores.
How to Study for the MPRE
The difficulty of the MPRE is often downplayed. Even if you’ve taken Professional Responsibility in law school or gained experience in a clerkship, take this exam seriously. It’s not just about passing. It’s about earning a high score that can be transferred to any jurisdiction you choose to practice in down the road.
Start with the Rules
Many students rush into practice questions without mastering the basics. Although the MPRE is easier than the bar exam, don’t be fooled — success demands dedicated study and a firm grasp of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the Model Code of Judicial Conduct. Because the rules in the code tend to be more logical and intuitive, start with the rules before moving on to practice questions.
Use MPRE-Style Questions
Focus on NCBE-released questions that mirror those on the exam. Quality matters more than quantity. If you rush through your practice questions, you'll merely commit answers to memory without truly grasping the concepts. Instead, choose questions with detailed answer rationales that show exactly where you went wrong. In doing so, every mistake becomes an opportunity to learn.
Get 200+ free MPRE questions featuring detailed rationales.
Use Spaced-Repetition Flashcards
Spaced repetition is proven to increase retention and strengthen recall by tailoring review sessions to your progress. It forces you to revisit difficult ideas until they stick, making your study time efficient and keeping material fresh for exam day. Load flashcards with answer rationales, visuals, personal notes, and catchy mnemonics to cement the essential rules in your mind.
Prioritize High-Yield Topics
The MPRE isn’t a trivial obstacle on your path to bar admission — it’s a chance to understand the ethical principles that shape legal practice. Every topic merits attention, but some impact your score more than others. For instance, Conflicts of Interest may make up 18% of the exam, while Judicial Conduct might only make up 2%. Prioritize subjects that matter most.
Simulate Exam Conditions
Once you’re confident in the material and can answer practice questions correctly across all topics, sit down for a full-length, timed practice exam. Aim to tackle 15 questions every 30 minutes to keep your pace steady. Study your performance report, pinpoint your weak spots, and use flashcards and additional questions to strengthen them.
Memorize Key Legal Phrases
Minor phrasal distinctions can determine an answer. Make sure you understand the nuances of key MPRE words and phrases such as:
- Subject to discipline: A lawyer’s action violates professional conduct rules
- Subject to disqualification: A lawyer’s ability to represent a client is in question
- May/Proper: A lawyer’s action is allowed under the rules
Use a Free Supplemental Course
Simplify your MPRE prep with a free course that takes the planning off your plate so you can focus on studying. You’ll get everything you need to pass the first time, including:
- MPRE questions and practice quizzes
- In-depth answer explanations and visual aids
- Digital notebook and spaced-repetition flashcards
- Full-length MPRE self-assessment exam
- Subject-specific law school outlines
Have a Structured Study Timeline
A solid plan makes all the difference in your MPRE preparation. Here are 2 sample schedules that keep things simple and efficient:
- 1-Week: Spend the first 2 days reviewing rules, the next 3 days on practice questions, and the final 2 days on timed practice exams and targeted review.
- 1-Month (recommended): Dedicate the first week to studying rules, the next 2 weeks to mixed practice questions, and the last week to full-length exams and refining weak areas.
Exam Day Tips for Success
Here are some exam day tips to help you succeed:
- Pay Attention to the Call of the Question: After reading the fact pattern, focus on the question’s call — often phrased as “Is the lawyer subject to discipline?” or “Is the lawyer’s conduct proper?” Ask yourself whose conduct is being evaluated.
- Eliminate Answer Choices: Discard options that contradict the facts, defy common sense, or stray from what the question is asking.
- Think Before You Choose: Formulate a potential answer before reviewing the options to avoid being misled by tricky wording.
- Keep Track of Time: With 60 questions in 2 hours, aim to answer about 1 question every 2 minutes. Practice pacing with a timer during mock tests.
- Be Prepared: Get a good night’s sleep, follow a calming morning routine, and stay updated on test day policies.
