Michigan Bar Exam Information

Dates, Cost & Location

Home to the Detroit Lions and the American automotive industry, Michigan’s history also includes a long tradition of amazing lawyers. If you’re a Michigander who dreams of becoming an attorney one day, we’re here to help you pass the bar exam.

The bar exam is offered twice a year and it takes place over two days. The February version of the exam will be administered from February 24–25, 2026, and the July version will be administered from July 28–29, 2026. The application fee for first-time test takers is $300. The initial application deadline for the February 2026 exam was November 1, 2025, but you may apply by December 15 if you also pay a late fee of $100. Test retakers pay an initial fee of $200, plus a late fee of $100 if you apply after November 1. Applications won’t be accepted after December 15, regardless of whether you’ve already taken the exam.

As for the July 2026 exam, the initial filing deadline for first-time test takers is March 1, 2026, with an application fee of $300. However, you may apply by May 15 so long as you pay a late fee of $100. Test retakers pay an initial fee of $200, plus a late fee of $100 if they apply after March 1. Applications won’t be accepted after May 15.

Michigan uses the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). The Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) is the first section of the exam. The MEE is made up of six essay questions which take thirty minutes each to complete. The Multistate Performance Test (MPT) is the second section of the exam. The MPT has two essay questions which take ninety minutes each. The MEE and the MPT are both administered on the first day of the exam. After taking the MEE during a three-hour morning session, you’ll take the MPT during a three-hour afternoon session. While this is the longest test that you’ve likely ever taken (or will ever take), you’ll still have a lunch break in between the MEE and the MPT, giving you some time to decompress before you continue your work.

On the second day of the exam, you’ll only take multiple-choice questions. These questions comprise the MBE, which has 200 questions total. Like the essay sections, the MBE is divided into a morning and an afternoon session. You’ll answer the first 100 questions in the morning, take a lunch break, then answer the final 100 questions in the afternoon.

What subjects will you be tested on?

The MEE may test you on Business Associations (including Agency, Partnerships, and Corporations), Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts and Sales, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Real Property, Secured Transactions (including Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code), Torts, and Wills & Estates. Not all of these subjects will necessarily be tested on exam day. However, because there’s no guarantee of which subjects will be tested and which ones won’t, we recommend studying all of the above subjects so you’re fully prepared to pass the bar.

Instead of testing your knowledge of a particular area of law, the MPT asks you to demonstrate your ability to write a clear and convincing argument in a memorandum or legal brief. The relevant laws that apply to the question will be given to you in the prompt.

The MBE will test you on Constitutional Law, Contracts and Sales, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Federal Civil Procedure, Real Property, and Torts.

What’s the minimum score for the MPRE?

To pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) in Michigan, you must receive a scaled score of at least 85.

How is the exam scored?

The MPT, MEE, and MBE are combined into a scaled score out of 400. To pass, you must achieve a score of at least 268. The MBE is worth 50% of your total score, while the MPT is worth 20% and the MEE is worth 30%.

When are the results released?

You can expect to receive your results in late April or early May if you took the February exam, and October if you took the July exam, but there’s no guarantee for when scores will be released.

Can I transfer my MBE scores from another jurisdiction?

Yes, so long as you took the UBE in another jurisdiction.

What about reciprocity across states?

Lawyers from other jurisdictions may apply for reciprocity in Michigan if they’ve practiced law in another jurisdiction for at least three of the past five years.