Alaska Bar Exam Format
The Alaska bar exam takes thee days and consists of the Alaska Essays, the Multistate Performance Test (“MPT” ), and the Multistate Bar Exam (“MBE” ). Alaska law is tested on the Alaska bar exam.
Alaska Essays
Alaska tests three (3) “long” essays and six (6) “short essays.” Past questions can be found here.
The “long” essays require substantial legal analysis. Answers should reflect knowledge and understanding of pertinent principles and theories of law as applied to Alaska, their relationship to each other, and their qualifications and limitations. The “long” essay section takes three hours and tests three essays. The essays are designed for one hour each.
The “short” essay section emphasizes substantive knowledge of the law as applied in Alaska. Answers should reflect knowledge and understanding of pertinent law but does not requires extensive discussion. The “short” essay sections takes three hours, and the essays are designed for 30 minutes each.
The Alaska essays must be answered using the principles of law as applied in Alaska. The essays may involve one or more issues in the following subjects:
- Business Organizations (Corporations, Partnerships, and Associations)
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law (State and Federal)
- Contracts (including UCC Art. 2)
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Evidence
- Family Law
- Real Property
- Torts (including products liability)
MPT (Performance Test)
Alaska tests two (2) MPT performance tests.
MBE (Multiple Choice)
Alaska uses the standard MBE. Subjects include:
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts (Common Law, Sales/UCC Art. 2)
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
MBE Score Transfer
Alaska does not accept MBE scores from prior exams or other jurisdictions.
Alaska Bar Exam Testing Schedule
Day 1
Morning – 3 AK “Long” Essays (3 hours)
Afternoon – 2 MPTs (3 hours)
Day 2
Morning – MBE Part I (100 questions; 3 hours)
Afternoon – MBE Part II (100 questions; 3 hours)
Day 3
Morning – 6 AK “Short” Essays (3 hours)
Alaska Bar Exam Dates and Application
The Alaska bar exam is administered on the last Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in February and July. Late fees are non-refundable. Application instructions can be found on the Alaska Bar Association Website.
| Exam Date | Application Deadline | Late Deadline |
Late, Late Deadline/Reapp. Deadline |
| Feb 26-28, 2013 | December 3, 2012 | December 17, 2012 | January 15, 2013 |
| July 30-Aug. 1, 2013 | May 1, 2013 | May 15, 2013 | June 17, 2013 |
Grading
Alaska Bar Exam Weight
| AK Long Essays | 15% |
| AK Short Essays | 22.5% |
| MPT | 12.5% |
| MBE | 50% |
Grading Procedure
The Alaska bar exam is graded by the NCBE using scaled scores. Past exam questions and grading guides can be found here. Results are announced in approximately 90 days.
Passing Score
The minimum passing score is a combined score of 140 or greater.
Alaska Bar Exam Pass Rates
Alaska bar exam pass rates and statistics may be found here.
Review for Applicants Failing the Alaska Bar Exam
The Board reviews and re-reads essay scores for applicants scoring one point below the minimum 140 passing score. Scores are re-calculated and any applicant scoring 140 or greater will be included as passing the bar exam.
Applicants may make a written request for appeal within one month of the notice of failure to pass the bar exam. Applicants have the right to inspect their essay exam books, the grades assigned, and a representative sampling of passing and failing essay answers at the office of the Alaska Bar Association or a place designated by the Board. Applicants have the right to inspect a copy of their MBE or MPRE answer sheets, scores, and the correct answer key under procedures designated by the Board.
Retaking the Alaska Bar Exam
Applicants may re-apply to take the Alaska bar exam. The application fee is reduced for re-applicants and the later deadline applies.