Ultimate Guide to District of Columbia Bar Exam

Your complete guide to Washington, DC Bar Exam prep.

Pass Rates · Bar Review Courses · Format · Essay Topics · Schedule · Dates · Location · Application Fees & Deadlines · What to Bring · Scores & Grading · Results · Reciprocity · Law Schools · Groups · Other Resources

*Updated January 2024

dc bar

District of Columbia State Bar Exam | Basic Information

The District of Columbia State Bar was formed in 1972. There are over 100,000 members who are located throughout the United States and around the world.

The District of Columbia is one of 40+ jurisdictions that have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). The District of Columbia first administered the UBE in July 2016.

Washington, DC Bar Exam Pass Rates

July 2023 (2,190 takers)

Overall Pass Rate: 78%
First-Time Pass Rate: 84%
Repeat Pass Rate: 34%

February 2023 (606 takers)

Overall Pass Rate: 45%
First-Time Pass Rate: 55%
Repeat Pass Rate: 35%

February 2022 (384 takers)

Overall Pass Rate: 42%
First-Time Pass Rate: 56%
Repeat Pass Rate: 29%

July 2021 (2,200 takers)

Overall Pass Rate: 73%
First-Time Pass Rate: 84%
Repeat Pass Rate: 44%

District of Columbia Bar Review Courses

Compare top DC Bar Exam prep courses from Crushendo, Barbri, Themis, Kaplan, AmeriBar, and BarMax.

Crushendo Barbri Themis Kaplan AmeriBar BarMax
*Cost $970 $1,999-4,199 $2,695 $2,199-3,999 $1,299-2,599 $1,895
Facebook Rating 5.0 Disabled 4.8 Disabled Disabled 4.3
Google Rating 5.0 N/A 2.8 3.2 N/A N/A
MBE
MEE
MPT
NCBE Questions 1,750+ 100+ 1,350+ 1,200+ 1,400+ 1,700+
Audio Flashcards
250+ Mnemonics
Access Period Lifetime 8-10 weeks 4 months 4 months Up to 3 years Lifetime
Financing 3 payments $250 registration
Founded 2017 1974 2008 1938 1999 2010
Phone (385) 482-1776 (888) 322-7274 (888) 843-6476 (626) 390-7170 (877) 942-2763 (800) 529-2651

Last updated: 1/7/23

*Cost ignores promotions and live tutoring.

Washington, DC Bar Exam Format

What’s the format of the UBE?

The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is administered twice each year in Washington, DC (in February, and July). The examination is administered over two days, in four, three-hour sessions. The UBE has three parts: the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).

MBE

The MBE is a six hour test and consists of 200 multiple choice questions that test your understanding across seven subjects. Your MBE score comprises 50% of your overall UBE score.

Watch Crushendo’s free MBE tips video.

MEE

The MEE consists of six 30-minute legal essays. The MEE makes up 30% of your score.

Essay topics may include the following: Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Property, Secured Transactions, Torts, Trusts, Unincorporated Business Entities, Wills and Estates, etc.

Crushendo offers the most recent MEE questions and includes the point sheets that the graders used. Watch Crushendo’s free MEE tips video.

MPT

The MPT consists of two 90-minute tasks where you analyze and apply laws to specific scenarios. The MPT makes up 20% of your score. Crushendo offers the most recent MPT questions and includes the point sheets that the graders used. Watch Crushendo’s free MPT tips video.

What’s the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination?

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) tests your understanding of established standards of conduct for lawyers. The MPRE is administered three times each year (in March, August, and November). The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and is two hours long. Check out this MPRE Tips video!

Upcoming Bar Exam Schedule, Dates, Location

Schedule

Morning Afternoon
Day 1 MPT (3 hours) MEE (3 hours)
Day 2 MBE (3 hours) MBE (3 hours)

Dates

  • February 25–26, 2025
  • July 29–30, 2025

Location

DC Bar Exam Application

Are you interested in taking the Washington, DC bar exam? Here’s some basic information on applying to take the DC bar exam.

District of Columbia State Bar Admissions Office

Physical address:

DC Bar
901 4th St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Phone number: (202) 737-4700

DC Bar Exam: What to Bring

Allowed Items

  • Admission ticket
  • Ink pens on Tuesday
  • Pencils and sharpener on Wednesday
  • Valid ID
  • Wallet
  • Keys
  • Car key fob
  • Hygiene and medical products
  • Tissues

Prohibited items

  • Any item that can connect to the internet
  • Any item that can record audio or video
  • Backpacks
  • Books
  • Briefcases
  • Calculators
  • Cameras
  • Earphones
  • Food or beverages
  • Hats (except religious ones)
  • Hoodies or jackets
  • Notes
  • Phones
  • Food or drink
  • Purses
  • Radios
  • Rulers
  • Scratch papers
  • Study materials
  • Watches of any kind

Learn more here.

District of Columbia Bar Exam Scores and Grading

A passing score for the UBE in the District of Columbia is 266/400. Scores of the three tests comprising the UBE are weighted as follows:

  • MBE = 50% of your total UBE score
  • MEE = 30%
  • MPT = 20%

*A passing score for the MPRE in District of Columbia is 75/150.

District of Columbia Bar Review Course

Crushendo’s comprehensive UBE Suite comes with everything you need to crush the District of Columbia bar exam.

  • MBE, MEE, and MPT Prep
  • 250+ Proprietary Mnemonics
  • 1,750+ Licensed NCBE Questions
  • Audio Attack Outlines
  • Audio Flashcards
  • Lifetime Access

District of Columbia Bar Exam Results

View lists of those who passed the District of Columbia State Bar Exam, posted on the District of Columbia State Bar Association’s website:

Frequently Asked Questions

When are my District of Columbia Bar Exam results released?

District of Columbia Bar Exam results are usually posted 9-10 weeks after the exam date. February bar exam results are usually posted in May. July bar exam results are usually posted late October.

Can I see my District of Columbia Bar Exam score?

If you passed the District of Columbia bar exam, you won’t be able to see your score.

If you failed the District of Columbia bar exam, you’ll be able to see your scaled scores on the MBE, MEE, MPT, and UBE. Those who fail the District of Columbia bar exam will also have the opportunity to review their essay answers and view three top essay answers for each question.

Can I appeal to have my DC Bar Exam re-graded?

No.

How many times can I take the DC Bar Exam?

You can retake the UBE 4 times in the District of Columbia.

Washington, DC Bar Exam Reciprocity

Applicants seeking admission to the District of Columbia State Bar without taking the bar exam, must comply with Reciprocity Requirements.

In order to be eligible for admittance to the DC State Bar, without taking the bar examination, you must:

  • Be admitted to practice law in another U.S. state or territory for five years just before applying
  • Hold a legal degree from an ABA accredited law school

All UBE states have reciprocity with the District of Columbia if the scores are high enough to meet the standard in Washington, DC.

Law Schools in Washington, DC

Here’s a list of law schools in Washington, DC.

George Washington University Law

  • Founded: 1865
  • Located: Washington, DC
  • Enrollment: About 1,500 students
  • Tuition Cost: $63,205  View tuition breakdown
  • Bar Passage Rate: 95.8% (takers of DC bar)
  • ABA Accredited: Yes
  • Website: law.gwu.edu

American University Washington College of Law

David A. Clarke School of Law (University of the District of Columbia)

  • Founded: 1986
  • Located: Washington, DC
  • Enrollment: about 180 students
  • Tuition Cost: $24,260 View tuition breakdown
  • Bar Passage Rate: 45.07%
  • ABA Accredited: Yes
  • Website: law.udc.edu

Howard University School of Law

  • Founded: 1869
  • Located: Washington, DC
  • Enrollment: about 473 students
  • Tuition Cost: $32,056 View tuition breakdown
  • Bar Passage Rate: 79%
  • ABA Accredited: Yes
  • Website: law.howard.edu

Columbus School of Law

  • Founded: 1897
  • Located: Washington, DC
  • Enrollment: about 519 students
  • Tuition Cost: $52,660 View tuition breakdown
  • Bar Passage Rate: 85.1%
  • ABA Accredited: Yes
  • Website: law.edu

Helpful Groups

Here are some Facebook groups you may find helpful before, and after passing the bar exam:

George Washington University Law

American University Washington College of Law

Davis A. Clarke School of Law (University of the District of Columbia)

Howard University School of Law

Columbus School of Law