Montana Bar Exam Format
The Montana bar exam is the Uniform Bar Exam (“UBE”) and takes two days and consists of the Multistate Performance Test (“MPT”), the Multistate Essay Exam (“MEE”), and the Multistate Bar Exam (“MBE”). Montana law is no longer tested on the Montana bar exam.
MPT (Performance Test)
Montana tests two (2) MPT performance tests.
MEE (Essays)
Montana tests six (6) MEE essays. The MEE is graded using prevailing principles of federal and Montana law, including common law. Subjects include:
- Business Associations (Agency, Partnership, Corporations, 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, Future Interests)
MBE (Multiple Choice)
Montana 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
Montana accepts UBE scores of 270 or greater. The score must have been achieved within the three years of the application date. MBE scores can no longer be transferred into Montana.
Montana Bar Exam Testing Schedule
Day 1 (Tuesday)
Morning – 2 MPTs (3 hours)
Afternoon – 6 Essays (3 hours)
Day 2 (Wednesday)
Morning – MBE Part I (100 questions; 3 hours)
Afternoon – MBE Part II (100 questions; 3 hours)
Montana Bar Exam Dates and Application
The Montana bar exam is held on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July. Late filing is not permitted. Applications can be found here.
| Exam Date | Application Deadline |
| February 21-22, 2017 | October 1 |
| July 25-26, 2017 | March 15 |
Grading
Montana Bar Exam Weight
| MPT | 20% |
| MEE | 30% |
| MBE | 50% |
Grading Procedure
The MPT and MEE answers are graded on a scale from 0-6. The scores are converted to the 200 MBE point scale and then combined with the MBE scaled score.
Passing Score
The minimum passing score is a UBE scaled score of 270 or greater.
Pass Rates
Not currently available.
Review and Appeal for Applicants Failing the Montana Bar Exam
The Montana Board of Bar Examiners’ pass/fail determinations are final and are not subject to additional substantive review once the Board’s report is filed with the Bar Admissions Administrator.
Retaking the Montana Bar Exam
Applicants who have failed three bar exams in Montana must petition the Montana Supreme Court for permission to sit for another bar exam.