In most states, if you want to become a licensed attorney, you must pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). The MPRE tests issues relating to professional conduct and ethics. This exam is two hours long and contains 60 multiple-choice questions. It is traditionally administered only three times per year — in March, August and November.
To maximize your chance of passing the MPRE the first time, you ask yourself these following four questions.
When will I take the bar exam?
The first thing to consider before signing up for the MPRE is when you are taking the bar exam. This matters because many states require a passing MPRE score prior to admission to the bar. So you will want to take the MPRE well in advance of the bar exam. We recommend that if you are taking the July bar exam, you take the MPRE — at the very latest — the August prior to the bar exam. This will give you three opportunities to pass the MPRE before you take the bar exam. So if you fail and need to retake it, you’ll have opportunities to do so.
When can I take a professional responsibility course?
It is recommended to take a law school course that covers the subject matter tested on the MPRE. Most law schools offer a professional responsibility or ethics course — and many law schools make this course a requirement to graduate. Studying for the MPRE will require much less time and effort if you have already learned the rules and cases on which the MPRE is based over a semester-long course. So whether the course is required or not, it’s recommended that you take it before you sit for the MPRE.
When will I be able to devote time to study for the MPRE?
The third thing to consider before signing up for the MPRE is your obligations leading up to the exam. The November test falls around Thanksgiving, which means it may coincide with your final exam studies. You may be working around the time the August test is administered. The March test could fall around midterms (if your school offers them) and spring break. If you know that you will be busy studying for final exams in November, sign up for the March or August exam instead. Being strategic about when you take the exam can help minimize stress and maximize your chances of passing.
What MPRE prep course will I take?
The final thing to consider before signing up for the MPRE is which prep course you will take. Most bar exam prep course companies offer a free MPRE course, so there is no reason not to take one. Completing an MPRE course increases your chances of passing the exam on your first try. Plan to sign up for the prep course well in advance of the MPRE test date so that you have enough time to study. If you are not sure which MPRE course is the best fit for you, sign up for a few different ones.
With these considerations in mind, you will be ready to pass the MPRE.
