Bar Exam Sample Questions

Try Our Free MBE® Questions
Practicing realistic and current MBE sample questions is the best way to prepare for the bar exam, because if practice feels like the actual exam, then the real thing will feel like a practice. Take a sneak peak at these free sample questions to gauge the bar exam's difficulty.
UWorld MBE QBank Interface

Our Practice Questions Are Better Than The Competition

Our MBE questions are curated and routinely updated by our premier in-house team of attorneys and law professors, enhanced with pioneering pedagogical science, and delivered to you on a
seamless digital platform.

Benefit from Active
and Visual Learning

Our learn-by-doing philosophy is paired with industry-leading illustrations to help you retain more information in less time.

Customize Tests
to Your Needs

Set up custom tests to hone in on your weaknesses and turn them into strengths with our "Create Test" feature.

Learn From UWorld
Answer Explanations

Our team of experts write detailed rationales for each answer choice so you can learn why you got an answer right or wrong.

Free MBE Sample Questions - See The UWorld Difference

UWorld MBE questions and explanations reflect the latest MBE format and structure to ensure that you're prepared for the actual exam. Want to see for yourself? To learn what you can expect from our practice questions, try a few sample questions from each subject.

A husband and wife were married in State A and lived there for 10 years before separating. One month later, the wife permanently moved to State B and immediately filed for divorce in a federal court in State B. The wife claims that she is entitled to $300,000 in alimony. The husband appeared in the action and has filed a motion to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.

Should the court grant the motion?

A. No, because the court has diversity jurisdiction over the case.
B. No, because the husband waived a subject-matter jurisdiction challenge by appearing in the case.
C. Yes, because state courts have exclusive jurisdiction over this type of action.
D. Yes, because the wife did not establish a domicile in State B.

Explanation:

Federal diversity jurisdiction exceptions

Federal courts cannot exercise diversity jurisdiction over cases involving:

  • probate matters (eg, authenticating wills, administering estates) or
  • domestic relations (eg, issuing divorce, alimony, or child-custody decrees)

A federal court must possess subject-matter jurisdiction to hear the merits of a case before it. Subject-matter jurisdiction can be established through either:

  • federal-question jurisdiction – when a claim arises under the U.S. Constitution, a treaty, or federal law (not seen here) or
  • diversity jurisdiction – when the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 and the opposing parties are citizens of different states.

Here, diversity jurisdiction is established since the wife claims that she is entitled to $300,000 and the parties are citizens of different states (States A and B). However, federal courts cannot exercise diversity jurisdiction over cases involving probate matters or domestic relations. Instead, state courts have exclusive jurisdiction over these types of actions (Choice A).* Therefore, the husband's motion to dismiss should be granted.

*The probate and domestic-relations exceptions exist because states have a strong interest in these substantive areas and are more qualified to deal with the constant judicial involvement these types of cases require.

(Choice B) A challenge to subject-matter jurisdiction is never waived. However, a challenge to personal jurisdiction is waived if the defendant has voluntarily appeared in the case, unless it was a special appearance for the express purpose of objecting to personal jurisdiction.

(Choice D) An individual is a citizen of the state where he/she is domiciled—ie, physically present with the intent to remain indefinitely. Since the wife permanently moved to State B, she has established her domicile there.

Educational objective:
Federal courts cannot exercise diversity jurisdiction over cases involving probate matters or domestic relations. Instead, state courts have exclusive jurisdiction over these types of cases.

A congressional committee investigated the pharmaceutical industry and found that the high cost of prescription drugs purchased and sold in the United States negatively impacted the nation's economy and the health of its citizens. In response, Congress passed a statute that regulates "the retail prices of every purchase or sale of prescription drugs in the United States."

A group of pharmaceutical companies challenged the constitutionality of this statute in federal court.

What is the strongest argument in support of the constitutionality of this statute?

A. Congress may enact statutes for the general welfare.
B. Congress may regulate the prices of all domestic purchases and sales of goods.
C. The Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate the interstate transportation of prescription drugs.
D. The purchases and sales of prescription drugs in the United States substantially impact interstate commerce in the aggregate.

Explanation:

Commerce clause challenge

The commerce clause gives Congress broad power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. This includes:

  • the channels of interstate and foreign commerce (eg, roadways)
  • the instrumentalities of interstate and foreign commerce (eg, vehicles)
  • persons and things moving in interstate or foreign commerce (eg, goods and services) and
  • in-state activities that, singly or in the aggregate, substantially impact interstate or foreign commerce.

Since Congress's commerce power is broad, federal statutes are constitutional if there is any rational basis for concluding that the regulated activity substantially affects interstate or foreign commerce. This can be shown through express congressional findings.

Here, the federal statute regulates the retail prices of prescription drugs in the United States. Congress has the authority to regulate such products' interstate transportation, but this statute also regulates in-state purchases and sales (Choice C). Since the congressional committee found that the high cost of prescription drugs negatively impacted the nation's economy, it is rational to conclude that their aggregated in-state purchases and sales substantially impact interstate commerce. Therefore, this is the strongest argument to support this statute.

(Choice A) The taxing and spending clause empowers Congress to tax and spend for the general welfare. But regulating prices is not equivalent to taxing or spending.

(Choice B) Congress cannot regulate the prices of every domestic purchase and sale of goods since it cannot regulate purely in-state sales that do not substantially affect interstate commerce.

Educational objective:
The commerce clause empowers Congress to regulate (1) channels and instrumentalities of, (2) persons and things moving in, and (3) in-state activities that—singly or in the aggregate—substantially affect interstate or foreign commerce.

The owner of a new office building contracted with a well-known landscaper to design and install landscaping around the building for $30,000. The agreement was memorialized in writing, was signed by both parties, and called for a budget of $5,000 for trees, shrubs, sod, and materials. The contract required the landscaper to complete the work within six months. Due to an unexpected increase in the price of trees and shrubs, the landscaper abandoned the project and never completed any of the work.

Three years after the landscaper's deadline, the building owner sued the landscaper for breach of contract. In the jurisdiction, the statute of limitations for breach of a services contract is two years after the breach, and the statute of limitations for breach of a sale-of-goods contract is four years.

Can the owner recover damages from the landscaper?

A. No, because the contract is divisible with respect to the services and goods, and the landscaper's breach is therefore subject to the two-year statute of limitations.
B. No, because the contract primarily calls for services, and the landscaper's breach is therefore subject to the two-year statute of limitations.
C. Yes, because the landscaper's breach was a result of an increase in the price of goods, and his breach is therefore subject to the four-year statute of limitations.
D. Yes, because the landscaper's breach was willful, and he is therefore estopped from denying that his breach is subject to the four-year statute of limitations.

Explanation:

Factors for determining contract's predominant purpose

Contracts for the sale of goods are governed by Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), while contracts for services are governed by common law. However, some contracts involve the sale of goods and the rendering of services. To determine which law applies to a "mixed" or "hybrid" contract, courts ask whether its predominant purpose was the sale of goods or the rendering of services. The following factors are relevant to this determination:

  • The contract's language
  • The nature of the supplier's business (ie, whether it typically provides goods or services)
  • The relative value of the goods and services
  • The nature of the final product (ie, whether it can be described as a good or service)

Here, the building owner contracted to buy goods (eg, trees, shrubs, sod) and services (ie, designing and installing the landscaping). The owner likely hired the well-known landscaper due to his skill in performing landscaping services, and the $5,000 budget for goods was just one-sixth of the $30,000 contract price. Therefore, the contract primarily calls for services and is subject to the jurisdiction's two-year statute of limitations. And since the owner sued three years after the breach, the owner cannot recover damages from the landscaper.

(Choice A) The predominant-purpose test is unnecessary when a contract is divisible—ie, when the payment for goods can easily be separated from the payment for services. But here, the contract is likely indivisible since it combined the sale of the trees, shrubs, and sod with their installation.

(Choices C & D) The predominant-purpose test focuses on the parties' reason for entering the contract—not for breaching it. Therefore, it is irrelevant that the landscaper's breach was (1) a result of an increase in the price of goods or (2) willful.

Educational objective:
Sale-of-goods contracts are governed by the UCC, while services contracts are governed by common law. When a contract calls for the sale of goods AND the rendering of services, the contract's primary purpose determines whether the UCC or common law applies.

A man and a woman dated for several weeks. During that time, the man repeatedly asked the woman to have sex. Each time, the woman responded that she would not have sex with the man unless they were married. One evening, the man promised the woman that they would elope the following weekend if she would agree to have sex. The woman agreed and the couple had sex. The following weekend, the man told the woman that he had no intention of eloping and only made that promise to get the woman's consent. The woman reported the man to the police, who later arrested and charged the man with rape.

Is the man guilty of rape?

A. No, because fraud in factum did not negate the woman's consent.
B. No, because fraud in the inducement did not negate the woman's consent.
C. Yes, because the woman's consent was obtained by fraud in factum.
D. Yes, because the woman's consent was obtained by fraud in the inducement.

Explanation:

Consent to sexual intercourse obtained by fraud
Type of fraud Definition Effect
In factum
  • Fraud pertains to nature of act—eg, doctor convinces patient that sexual act is part of medical exam
  • Victim is unaware that he/she is consenting to sexual intercourse
Negates victim's consent
In inducement
  • Fraud pertains to what victim knows is an act of sexual intercourse—eg, defendant promises marriage in exchange for sex
  • Victim is aware that he/she is consenting to sexual intercourse
Does not negate victim's consent

In most modern jurisdictions, rape is defined as sexual intercourse with another without that person's consent.* This means that rape did not occur if the victim consented to sexual intercourse. However, a victim's consent may be ineffective if it was obtained by fraud. There are two types of fraud:

  • Fraud in factum – when consent is obtained by fraud regarding the nature of the act itself, leaving the victim unaware that he/she consented to sexual intercourse and negating the victim's consent
  • Fraud in the inducement – when consent is obtained by fraud regarding what the victim knows is an act of sexual intercourse, which does not negate the victim's consent

As a result, consent obtained by fraud in factum is not a valid defense to rape, but consent obtained by fraud in the inducement is a valid defense.

Here, the man falsely promised the woman that they would elope if she agreed to have sex with him. Since the woman knew that the act to which she consented was sexual intercourse, her consent was obtained by fraud in the inducement (Choices A & C). This type of fraud did not negate the woman's consent, so the man is not guilty of rape (Choice D).

*At common law, rape was defined as (1) unlawful sexual intercourse (2) with a female who is not the defendant's wife (3) against her will by force or threat of force.

Educational objective:
Fraud in factum occurs when the fraud pertains to the nature of the act itself and negates a rape victim's consent. In contrast, fraud in the inducement occurs when fraud is used to gain consent to what the victim knows is an act of sexual intercourse and does not negate the victim's consent.

A plaintiff sued a defendant for negligence to recover damages that the plaintiff suffered as a result of a crash between the two parties. At trial, the plaintiff's attorney called the plaintiff's wife to testify as to what she witnessed on the day of the crash. On cross-examination of the wife, the defendant's lawyer elicited several responses that tended to show that the plaintiff's actions constituted contributory negligence. The plaintiff's attorney seeks to ask the wife several questions on redirect examination, but the defendant's attorney objected.

What is the strongest argument that the court must allow redirect examination of the wife?

A. The plaintiff's attorney failed to provide all significant information on direct examination.
B. The plaintiff's attorney seeks to reiterate the necessary elements of the claim.
C. The plaintiff's attorney seeks to reply to all matters raised on cross-examination.
D. The plaintiff's attorney seeks to reply to significant new matters raised on cross-examination.

Explanation:

Sequence and scope of witness examination

Federal Rule of Evidence 611 gives trial courts the authority to exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of examining witnesses at trial. This includes the discretion to determine whether—and to what extent—redirect examination of witnesses should be permitted. But when a party raises a significant new matter while cross-examining a witness, the court must allow the opposing party to address that matter through redirect examination.

Therefore, the strongest argument for allowing redirect examination of the plaintiff's wife is that the plaintiff's attorney seeks to reply to significant new matters that were raised on cross-examination.

(Choice A) A party is expected to elicit all significant information during direct examination of a witness. Therefore, a court need not permit redirect examination to allow the party to provide information inadvertently omitted on direct examination.

(Choices B & C) Redirect examination is generally limited to significant new matters raised on cross-examination. Therefore, a party is not entitled to redirect examination to (1) reiterate information like the necessary elements of the claim or (2) reply to all matters addressed in cross-examination.

Educational objective:
When a party raises a significant new matter on cross-examination of a witness, the court must allow redirect examination by the opposing party to address that matter.

Twenty years ago, a man who owned a 20-acre ranch agreed to sell all of his mineral rights to his neighbor. The man executed a warranty deed conveying the mineral estate to the neighbor, who failed to record the deed.

The following year, a woman moved her mobile home onto an undeveloped five-acre portion of the man's ranch. After the woman had lived on the property for 10 years, a local drilling company began operations on a nearby tract to drill a natural gas well. Believing that the woman owned the property, the drilling company approached the woman about leasing the mineral rights on her property and requested that the woman sign a lease of her mineral rights. The woman signed the lease as requested, and it was promptly and properly recorded. The drilling operations were successful, and the drilling company prepared to distribute profits from royalties. However, a dispute arose between the neighbor and the woman, as both parties claim ownership of the minerals.

The period of time to acquire title by adverse possession in the jurisdiction is 10 years.

In an action to determine title, is the court likely to award title to the mineral estate to the woman?

A. No, because the woman actually possessed only the surface estate that had previously been severed from the mineral estate.
B. No, because the woman did not actually possess the mineral estate until she signed the lease of the mineral rights.
C. Yes, because the neighbor failed to record the warranty deed conveying the mineral estate.
D. Yes, because the woman adversely possessed both the surface estate and the mineral estate for the statutory period.

Explanation:

Adverse possession of a mineral state

An adverse possessor can acquire title to land owned by another if his/her possession of the land is:

  • Open and notorious – apparent or visible to a reasonable owner
  • Continuous – uninterrupted for the statutory period
  • Exclusive – not shared with the owner
  • Actual – physical presence on the land and
  • Nonpermissive – hostile and adverse to the owner.

If the surface and mineral estates are owned by the same party, then the adverse possessor will acquire title to both estates—even if only one estate is actually possessed. But if the mineral estate has been severed from the surface estate (ie, the surface and mineral estates are owned by different parties), then the adverse possessor will only acquire title to the estate that is actually possessed. The mineral estate is actually possessed when the adverse possessor mines or drills wells on the land.

Here, the neighbor purchased the mineral estate from the man, thereby severing the mineral estate from the surface estate. And since the woman merely lived on the property for the 10-year statutory period—she did not attempt to mine or drill a well on the mineral estate—she actually possessed only the surface estate during that time (Choice D). This means that the woman did not adversely possess the mineral estate, and the court is not likely to award her title to that estate.

(Choice B) Adverse possession of a mineral estate requires the commencement of drilling or mining operations. Merely signing a lease of the mineral rights is not enough.

(Choice C) A deed need not be recorded to be valid, so the neighbor's failure to record has no impact on whether the woman adversely possessed the mineral estate.

Educational objective:
If a mineral estate has previously been severed from the surface estate (ie, surface and minerals owned by different persons), then an adverse possessor can only acquire title to the mineral estate by actually possessing the minerals (eg, by mining or drilling wells).

A teenager was riding a bicycle when she saw a classmate walking toward her. The teenager rode quickly toward the classmate, knowing that he would think she would run into him on her current trajectory. The teenager was not purposefully trying to harm or touch him. The classmate saw the teenager riding toward him and yelled at her to stop. The teenager swerved at the last moment and avoided hitting him. The classmate had a panic attack because he thought that the teenager would hit him.

Is the classmate likely to succeed if he sues the teenager for assault?

A. No, because the teenager did not make contact with the classmate.
B. No, because the teenager did not purposefully try to harm or touch the classmate.
C. Yes, because the teenager acted with the requisite intent.
D. Yes, because the teenager's conduct was extreme and outrageous.

Explanation:

Two types of intent

Assault occurs when a defendant's intentional act causes a plaintiff reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive bodily contact. The intent requirement is met when the defendant acts with either:

  • purpose – the desire to cause apprehension of contact or
  • knowledge – the substantial certainty that such apprehension will result.

Here, the teenager rode her bicycle directly at her classmate, causing him to think that she would hit him (reasonable apprehension of imminent contact). The teenager did not purposefully try to harm or touch the classmate (Choice B). But the teenager knew with substantial certainty that the classmate would think she would run into him, so she acted with the requisite intent. As a result, the classmate is likely to succeed in a suit against the teenager for assault.

(Choice A) Assault merely requires that the plaintiff be placed in apprehension of imminent contact. Actual bodily contact is not required. Therefore, the fact that the teenager did not make contact with the classmate is irrelevant.

(Choice D) Extreme and outrageous conduct (ie, conduct that is unacceptable in civilized society) is an element of intentional infliction of emotional distress—not assault, which only requires intentional conduct.

Educational objective:
For assault, intent exists when a defendant acts with the purpose (desire) or knowledge (substantial certainty) that his/her conduct will cause apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact.

Take a look at a typical competitor sample question below. Their practice questions might parody the exam, but ours consistently meet or exceed exam-level difficulty. Their limited explanations address the right answer choice but do not go the extra mile to explain the wrong choices – so you don’t make the same mistakes on exam day.

A mother gave her land to her two kids, a son, and a daughter, as joint tenants. The son built two adjoining homes on the land. He lived in one house and rented the other. The daughter lived out of the country and never visited the land. The daughter needed money, so she sold her interest in the land to her ex-boyfriend. Her ex-boyfriend immediately hired a developer to build a third home on the land. Soon after the daughter had sold her interest in the land, she was killed in a motorcycle accident. The ex-boyfriend is now asking the court for a judicial partition of the land. The son contends that upon his sister's death, he was now the sole owner of the land.

How should the court rule?

A. For the ex-boyfriend, because he plans to live on the land.
B. For the ex-boyfriend, because he paid for the son’s interest in the land.
C. For the son, because he has the right of survivorship.
D. For the son, because he has the sole position of the land.

Correct answer: B

Want More Free Questions Delivered To Your Inbox?

Start practicing with exam-level questions. Get our question of the day delivered directly to your inbox!

Want a Full Bar Review Course?
Upgrade to the Themis + UWorld Bundle

Everything you need to ace each component of the bar exam in one place. Access thousands of questions that have either been licensed by NCBE or written by our team of dedicated legal experts to match or exceed exam-level difficulty.

MBE Multiple-Choice Questions

The MBE consists of 200 multiple-choice questions designed to test your understanding of seven MBE subjects.

With our Themis + UWorld bundle, you'll gain access to 4000+ exam-level MBE questions, including NCBE-licensed questions. You'll also get unlimited practice tests, a complete 200-question simulated MBE Assessment Exam, and skills workshops for each subject to identify the most frequently tested issues, presenting tips and strategies for success.

Don't miss these MBE Sample Questions provided by NCBE.

MBE Sample Questions Pdf

MBE Multiple-Choice Questions

MEE Essay Questions

MEE Essay Questions

The Multistate Essay Exam (MEE®) includes six 30-minute essay questions that test your ability to identify and analyze hypothetical legal situations across a dozen MEE subjects.

When you sign up for our Themis + UWorld bundle, you'll get access to a bank of 100+ essays from past bar exams, plus we'll assign a dedicated attorney to grade your practice essays and provide you with consistent feedback tailored to your needs.

Check out an MEE Sample Essay Question provided by NCBE.

MEE Sample Questions Pdf

MPT Essay Questions

The Multistate Performance Test (MPT®) consists of two 90-minute items consisting of simulated case files and a folder with various legal documents which examinees must use to respond to assignments.

The Themis + UWorld bundle includes an MPT workshop that highlights common question types, provides tools for improving organizational and writing skills, and features a walk-through of full-performance tests. Students will also have access to dozens of previously administered practice tests, simulated performance tests, and a graded performance test.

Take a look at these MPT Sample Essay Questions provided by NCBE.

MPT Sample Questions Pdf

MPT Essay Questions

Try the UWorld Difference, Free!

Many bar prep courses will bury you with endless questions matched with subpar answer explanations. But we know there’s a better way. At UWorld, our program is designed to actually teach you the concepts and provide a clear path to success.

UWorld MBE Bar Prep Testimonials

At UWorld, we gauge the quality of our product by your success. We receive hundreds of reviews from law students every day. Here is what they're saying:

Frequently Asked Questions

The bar exam consists of multiple-choice questions, essay questions, and performance tasks.
There are 200 multiple choice questions on the MBE, 6 essay questions on the MEE, and 2 performance tasks on the MPT.
Yes. Our in-house team of dedicated legal experts routinely updates our practice questions to mimic the current format and style of the questions you will see on the actual bar exam.
Not all questions are scored on the bar exam. For example, only 175 of 200 MBE are scored. The NCBE uses the remaining 25 as pilot questions for future exams.
On average, you should aim to complete 34-68 MBE questions daily.
The NCBE does not reuse exact bar exam questions. However, the subjects, subtopics, content, and format usually remain the same.
Yes, some bar exams are more difficult than others. Such discrepancies are accounted for by transforming raw scores into scaled scores through a statistical method called equating. Unfortunately, the NCBE does not release data on the calculations it uses to determine scaled scores.
Scroll to Top