Georgia Bar Exam Format
The Georgia bar exam takes two days and consists of the Georgia Essay Exam, the Multistate Performance Test (“MPT”), and the Multistate Bar Exam (“MBE” ). Georgia law is tested on the Georgia bar exam.
Georgia Essays
Georgia tests four (4) essays. Each essay is 45 minutes and is of equal value. The Georgia Board of Bar Examiners prepares the Georgia essays. Sample essay questions can be found here. Individual essay questions will involve more than one of the following subjects and frequently test areas such as procedure, evidence, or damages:
- Business Organizations
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts (Common Law, Sales/UCC Art. 2)
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Evidence
- Family Law
- Federal Practice and Procedure
- Georgia Practice and Procedure
- Negotiable Instruments/Commercial Paper (UCC Art. 3)
- Non-Monetary Remedies
- Professional Ethics
- Property
- Secured Transactions (UCC Art. 9)
- Torts
- Trusts
- Wills and Estates
- Uniform Commercial Code
MPT (Performance Test)
Georgia tests two (2) MPT performance tests.
MBE (Multiple Choice)
Georgia uses the standard MBE. Subjects include:
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts (Common Law, Sales/UCC Art. 2)
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
MBE Score Transfer
Georgia does not accept MBE Scores from previous exams or other jurisdictions. Georgia does offer a one-day Georgia Attorneys’ Exam for attorneys admitted in other jurisdictions who are not eligible for Georgia Admission on Motion.
Georgia Bar Exam Testing Schedule
Day 1
Morning – 2 MPTs
Afternoon – 4 Essays
Day 2
Morning – MBE Part I (100 questions; 3 hours)
Afternoon – MBE Part II (100 questions; 3 hours)
Georgia Bar Exam Dates and Application
The Georgia bar exam is held on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July. Applications can be requested on the Georgia Office of Bar Admissions Website.
| Exam Date | Application Deadline | Late Deadline |
| February 21-22, 2017 | Approx. Jan. 1 | 30 days later |
| July 25-26, 2017 | Approx. June 1 | 30 days later |
Grading
Georgia Bar Exam Weight
| GA Essays | 28.5% |
| MPT | 21.5% |
| MBE | 50% |
Grading Procedure
The written portion of the exam (2 MPTs and 4 Essays) and the MBE are weighted equally. There are 400 total points available. Raw scores on the MPT are multiplied by 1.5 and added to the raw scores on the essays. The total raw scores on the written exam are then converted to the MBE to generate the written scaled score. The written scaled score and the MBE scaled score are combined to obtain a final bar exam score.
Exam results for the February exam are generally released in late May. Exam results for the July exam are generally released in late October.
Passing Score
Applicants must achieve a total bar exam score of 270 or greater. Applicants must also achieve an MBE score of at least 115 in order to have the essays and MPTs graded.
Pass Rates
Bar exam statistics can be found here.
Review and Appeal for Applicants Failing the Georgia Bar Exam
Applicants achieving a total bar exam score of 265 to 269 will have their essays and MPT answers regarded by the Board prior to the release of grades.
Retaking the Georgia Bar Exam
There is no limit on the amount of times an applicant may take the Georgia bar exam.