Idaho Bar Exam Format
The Idaho bar exam is the Uniform Bar Exam (“UBE”). The exam takes two days and consists of the Multistate Performance Test (“MPT” ), Multistate Essay Exam (“MEE” ), and the Multistate Bar Exam (“MBE” ).
MPT (Performance Test)
Idaho tests two (2) MPT performance tests.
MEE (Essays)
Idaho tests six (6) MEE essays. Subjects include:
- Business Organizations (Agency and Partnership; Corporations and LLCs)
- Civil Procedure (Federal)
- Conflict of Laws
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts (Common Law, Sales/UCC Art. 2**)
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Evidence
- Family Law**
- Negotiable Instruments/Commercial Paper (UCC Art. 3)**
- Real Property
- Secured Transactions (UCC Art. 9)**
- Torts
- Trusts and Estates (Decedents’ Estates; Trusts and Future Interests)
MBE (Multiple Choice)
Idaho 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
UBE and MBE Score Transfer
Idaho accepts UBE scores of 280 or greater for up to 37 months from when the bar exam was taken.
Idaho accepts MBE scores from other jurisdictions. The Board recommends that the score be 140 or greater. The score must have been taken within 36 months (6 exams) of the bar exam for which the applicant is applying.
Idaho Bar Exam Testing Schedule
Day 1
Morning – Idaho Essay Exam/MEE (7 essay; 3.5 hours)
Afternoon – MPT (3 hours)
Day 2
Morning – MBE Part I (100 questions; 3 hours)
Afternoon – MBE Part II (100 questions; 3 hours)
Idaho Bar Exam Dates and Application
The Idaho bar exam is held on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July. Applications can be found on the Idaho State Bar’s Website.
| Exam Date | Application Deadline | Late Deadline |
| February 21-22, 2017 | Oct. 1 | Nov. 15 |
| July 25-26, 2017 | March 1 | April 15 |
Grading
Idaho Bar Exam Weight
| MPT | 20% |
| MEE | 30% |
| MBE | 50% |
Grading Procedure
Raw essay scores are scaled to the MBE. Each MPT is weighted three times greater than one essay. The written scaled score (essays and MPTs) and the scaled MBE score account for 50% of the total bar exam score.
Passing Score
Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 280. Applicants that are exempt from taking the MBE must achieve a written scaled score of 140 or greater.
Pass Rates
Idaho bar exam pass rates can be found here.
Review and Appeal for Applicants Failing the Idaho Bar Exam
Applicants achieving a scaled score within the range of 66-2/3% to 70% (Total 266.6-279.9 or Essays 133.3-139.9) of the highest possible scaled score will be re-evaluated. Two re-evaluators independently read the exam as a whole and determine whether the applicant should pass or fail. If the two re-evaluators agree (pass or fail), their decision is final. If the two disagree, a third re-evaluator reads the exam and breaks the tie.
Retaking the Idaho Bar Exam
Applicants who failed the Idaho bar exam may review their answers, grades, the essay questions, and suggested analyses.
Applicants may also transfer their prior MBE scores for up to 37 months. Applicants who choose not to transfer their MBE scores to another Idaho bar exam may no longer use their previous MBE score.
Applicants failing six or more bar exams, regardless of jurisdiction, are ineligible to apply for the bar exam or re-examination in Idaho unless (1) the applicant demonstrates in writing, to the Board’s satisfaction, that there has been a substantial change in the degree of the applicant’s legal learning which makes it probable that the applicant will pass the next bar exam, and (2) the Board has notified the applicant in writing that special permission to retake the bar exam has been granted.