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MBE® Scoring | Key Insights

Learn about MBE scoring, passing scores, how to calculate your scaled score, historical mean scores, and more.

Each MBE question is worth 1 point. The maximum raw score you can get is 175 because 25 of the 200 questions are unscored pilot questions used by the NCBE to test future exam items. There’s no way of identifying unscored questions, so all questions should be treated equally. The raw score is then scaled from 0 to 200 to account for variations in test difficulty.

There are 25 questions for each of the 7 MBE subjects, which include:

MBE Scaled Score vs. MBE Raw Score

Your raw score is simply the number of answers you answered correctly on the MBE. Your score report reflects a scaled number. The NCBE uses a statistical “equating” method to calculate scaled scores that adjust for variations in difficulty across different exam versions.

For instance, if Exam A is harder than Exam B, raw scores would not compare equally. Equating balances the difference, inflating scores from harder versions and adjusting those from easier versions. This ensures fairness across exam administrations.

How to Calculate Your Scaled MBE Score

There is no way to accurately calculate your scaled MBE score because the NCBE doesn’t release the details of its process. However, a general rule of thumb is to add 10-15 points to the number of questions you answered correctly.

MBE Passing Scores by Jurisdiction

Your score on the MBE matters, especially if you are trying to transfer it. Passing standards range from 130 to 143. Keep in mind that the MBE score is only part of your Uniform Bar Exam (UBE®) score. A stellar Multistate Essay Examination (MEE®) and Multistate Performance Test (MPT®) scores can help offset a lackluster MBE score.

How MBE Scores Contribute to UBE Passing Requirements

Since the MBE is worth 50% of a total UBE score, you can divide a jurisdiction’s UBE minimum passing score in half to get a “passing” MBE score. For example, the minimum passing score for the UBE in Alabama is 260. Therefore, you want to aim for an MBE score of 130 or higher. However, if you get a 128 on the Alabama MBE and a 132 on the other portions, the sum of your total score is 260, which is still passing.

“Passing” MBE Scores (½ of the UBE score)	Jurisdiction
130	Alabama, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah
132	Indiana, Oklahoma
133	Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Virgin Islands
134	Michigan
135	Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

Non-UBE MBE Passing Scores

Non-UBE MBE passing scores are more challenging to calculate. For example, California’s bar exam passing score is 1390 out of 2000 points. You should aim for a scaled score of 139 on the MBE, but there is no way to accurately gauge what raw score you need.

If you’re taking the bar exam in a non-UBE jurisdiction, check out our state-specific bar exam pages:

The MBE accounts for 50% of the total bar exam score in all UBE jurisdictions. However, a few non-UBE jurisdictions have different weightings. In Mississippi and Nevada, the MBE is weighted at 40%, while in Virginia, it makes up 33% of the total score. South Dakota and Puerto Rico do not combine MBE scores with written component scores, which may affect the overall scoring structure in those jurisdictions.

How to Transfer Your MBE Score

The NCBE submits MBE scores directly to the appropriate jurisdictions. To get your MBE score, you have to ask for it, although not all jurisdictions offer this service.

Step 1: Determine if the jurisdiction accepts transferred MBE scores.
Step 2: Determine if your MBE testing jurisdiction authorizes the NCBE to transfer MBE scores.
Step 3: Log in to your NCBE Account, submit an MBE Score Transfer Request, and pay the associated fee.

Jurisdictions That Accept Transferred MBE Scores

The following jurisdictions accept MBE scores individually:

Georgia
Mississippi
South Dakota
Virginia
Wisconsin
Northern Mariana Islands
Palau
Alabama
Idaho
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
West Virginia
Virgin Islands

Historical Mean MBE Scores

February MBE test-takers typically pass at a much lower rate nationwide, so it’s important to separate historical mean MBE scores by February and July administrations rather than showing them by year.

Mean February MBE scores

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Mean July MBE Scores

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum age of MBE scores?

MBE scores are generally valid for up to 7 years. Some jurisdictions may have exceptions, so it’s best to confirm with your state bar.

What is the lowest MBE score?

MBE scaled scores range from 40 to 200, with 40 being the lowest possible score and 200 the highest. The actual score reflects how well you performed relative to other test-takers and accounts for exam difficulty.

Can you pass the bar with a low MBE score?

Yes. Passing the bar is possible even with a lower MBE score. Since most jurisdictions combine the MBE score with written exam scores, a stronger performance in the written portion can compensate for a lower MBE score, as long as the total meets the passing threshold.

How is the MBE score weighted compared to the written portion?

In most UBE jurisdictions, the MBE is weighted at 50% of the total bar exam score. However, some non-UBE jurisdictions may adjust this, with states including Mississippi and Nevada weighing the MBE less. Check the specific rules for your jurisdiction.