The state of Michigan bar exam includes an essay portion consisting of Michigan laws as well as the use of the Multistate Bar Exam (“MBE”). The exam takes 2 days.
Michigan Bar Exam Essays:
Michigan requires bar takers to write 15 essays as part of their bar exam. Essay topics are listed below:
- Conflict of Laws
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts (Common Law and Sales/UCC Art. 2)
- Corporations, Partnership, and Agency
- Creditor’s Rights (including Mortgages, Garnishments, and Attachments)
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Equity
- Evidence
- Family Law (Domestic Relations)
- Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct
- Negotiable Instruments/Commercial Paper (UCC Art. 3)
- Practice and Procedure (Trial and Appellate) (Michigan and Federal)
- Real and Personal Property
- Secured Transactions (UCC Art. 9)
- Torts (including no-fault)
- Wills and Trusts
- Workers’ Compensation
MBE (Multiple Choice Bar Exam)
Michigan Bar Exam tests (MBE) is conducted on the second day of the two-day test and consists of a 6 hour time period. Each time period is divided in half so you have 100 questions to answer in the first three hours, followed by a lunch break and then 3 more hours to complete the second 100 questions for a total of 200 questions. The state of Texas does not accept MBE transferred scores. The Texas bar exam test 7 subjects:
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts (Common Law, Sales/UCC Art. 2)
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
MBE Score Transfer
Michigan accepts MBE scores from other jurisdictions based on reciprocity (transferring state must accept MBE score from MI).
Bar Exam Testing Schedule
Day 1
- Morning = 9 Michigan Essays
- Lunch Break
- Afternoon = 6 Michigan Essays
Day 2
- Morning first 3 hours – MBE Part 1 (100 questions)
- Lunch Break
- Afternoon second 3 hours – MBE Part 2 (100 questions)
Grading
Each essay question has a 10 possible points for a total of 150 points possible. The MBE is worth 200 points. 4/3 (Total Essay Score) + MBE Scale Score/2 = Combined Scaled Score. A combined scale score of a minimum of 135 is needed to pass the Michigan Bar Exam.
Michigan Bar Exam Weighted Scores
| Essays | 50% |
| MBE | 50% |
Exam Date Results
Feb. 21-22, 20XX May. 11, 20XX
July 24-25, 20XX Oct. 13, 20XX