Arkansas Bar Exam Information

Dates, Cost & Location

The Arkansas Bar Association is voluntary and currently has more than 5,000 members. It also engages in community outreach, including a pro bono clinic, and projects to improve the judicial system. The Bar Association’s latest committee is the AI Task Force.

What is the UBE composed of?
The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is composed of three different sections: the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), and the Multistate Practical Test (MPT).

What is the MEE?
The MEE is a four-question essay exam. It is graded by Arkansas.

What is the MBE?
The MBE is a 200-question multiple-choice exam graded by the National Council of Bar Examiners (NCBE).

What is the MPT?
The MPT contains two questions and tests a candidate’s ability to draft standard documents for a lawyer, such as briefs or case analyses. It is also graded by Arkansas.

What legal subjects are tested on the bar exam?
The bar exam can contain questions from any of the following topics: Business Associations, Trusts and Estates, Civil Procedure, Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Criminal Law, Secured Transactions, Contracts, Sales, Family Law, Torts, Constitutional Law, Conflicts of Law, and Real Property.

What minimum MPRE score do I need in Arkansas?
You will need to score an 85 on the MPRE prior to admission to the Arkansas Bar.

Can I transfer my UBE score to Arkansas?
Yes, you can transfer your UBE score to Arkansas if you scored 270 or higher in another jurisdiction. The fee to transfer your score is $1,500.

What are the fees and deadlines for taking the Arkansas bar exam?
There is a $1,000 fee to take the Arkansas Bar Exam. The fee must be paid either by check or money order to the Clerk of the Arkansas Supreme Court (Arkansas Bar Examination Requirements and Information | Arkansas Judiciary). Please visit the Arkansas Judiciary website for deadlines and more information regarding the February 2025 Arkansas Bar Exam (Arkansas Bar Examination | Arkansas Judiciary).

Can I waive into Arkansas through reciprocity?
Yes, Arkansas allows for admission by motion so long as you have practiced in another jurisdiction and have not failed the Arkansas Bar Exam within the previous 5 years.