How Is the MPT Scored?
Each jurisdiction is responsible for grading the MPT and determining how scores are assigned and scaled. NCBE provides point sheets that identify the factual and legal points that may be addressed in an examinee's response, but jurisdictions establish their own grading methodologies and score-conversion procedures. As a result, scoring practices and grading scales vary across jurisdictions.
MPT Grading Scale and Score Conversion
The MPT grading scale varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction but consists of the same basic formula. Questions are rated on a given scale and combined into your raw MPT score. That raw score is then scaled to the MBE to determine your final grade.
In Uniform Bar Examination (UBE®) jurisdictions, your MPT score is combined with your Multistate Essay Examination (MEE®) score on a scale from 1 to 200. This scaling adjusts for possible differences when administering the exam. Your scaled score is then weighted accordingly. Most UBE jurisdictions weigh the MPT at 20% and the MEE at 30% for a combined 50% weight.
Unique MPT Score Weights
Most non-UBE jurisdictions also weigh the MPT at 20% toward your final bar exam score. That said, several do not:
- Georgia weighs the MPT at 21.4%.
- Hawaii has 2 MPT tasks, 6 MEE questions, and 15 multiple-choice questions about ethics that combine for 50% of your test score.
- Mississippi weighs the MPT at 15% and covers 1 item.
- South Dakota requires an average score of 75% for the written part of the exam. This includes 2 MPT questions, 5 MEE essays, and 1 South Dakota essay.
- Wisconsin requires a combination of MPT, MEE, and local essays that vary in weight across each exam.
- Guam weighs the MPT at 11.1% and covers 1 item.
- Palau requires a score of 65 or higher on the MPT.
Is the MPT Graded Differently Across States?
Yes. Each jurisdiction is responsible for grading the MPT and determining the scale used to evaluate examinee responses. NCBE provides point sheets and grading guidance, but jurisdictions establish their own scoring policies and weighting formulas.
- Arizona, Illinois, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington grade on a scale from 0 to 6.
- Colorado grades on a scale from 1 to 6.
- Massachusetts grades on a scale from 0 to 7.
- New York grades on a scale from 0 to 10.
- Arkansas grades on a scale from 65 to 85.
Note: Effective with the July 2026 bar exam, Family Law and Trusts & Estates are no longer tested on the MEE. However, from July 2026 through February 2028, both subjects will be tested regularly through the MPT. Examinees will continue to receive all necessary legal authorities within the MPT materials and are not expected to rely on memorized substantive law.
How To Calculate Your MPT Score
Calculating your MPT score will depend on your jurisdiction's grading scale and score-conversion process. In jurisdictions that use a 0–6 grading scale, a score of approximately 4 is generally considered passing. The MPT and MEE are counted as 200 points in most UBE jurisdictions and make up 50% of your score. 80 of those points will come from your MPT.
MPT Average Score and Passing Score
Passing performance varies by jurisdiction. For jurisdictions that grade MPT responses on a 0–6 scale, a score of about 4 is often considered competent or passing. This is average on a 6-point scale. When determining whether this is good enough for you to pass, consider your jurisdiction’s MPT grading scale, scoring process, and UBE passing score.
When Are MPT Scores Released?
Your MPT score is released with the rest of your bar exam results within 1 to 3 months of taking the exam. This timeframe varies by jurisdiction, with smaller jurisdictions releasing their results sooner. Not all states provide a breakdown of how each section of the bar exam is scored, so you may never know your actual MPT score.
5 Tips to Maximize Your Score
- Thoroughly extract laws from the library to effectively address your MPT task.
- Examine the issues presented and ensure you are answering the questions posed.
- Use only relevant facts.
- Differentiate the client's case from the cases provided in the library.
- Organize and format your answer properly.
MPT Self-Assessment Advice
If you want to gauge how well you will perform on the MPT, there are a handful of questions you can ask yourself:
- Did you identify the problem?
- Did you address all relevant legal issues?
- Did you use the appropriate tone?
- Did you communicate well enough within the given time constraints?
- Are all of the ethical dilemmas presented resolved?
- Did you communicate in a manner that was appropriate for your audience?
- Did you format your answers correctly?
