Ultimate Guide to Indiana State Bar Exam
Your complete guide to Indiana 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 · Other Jurisdictions
*Updated January 2024
Indiana State Bar Exam | Basic Information
The Indiana State Bar Association was started in 1896.
Indiana is one of 40+ jurisdictions that have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). Indiana first administered the UBE in July 2021. Indiana also requires the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
July 2023 (408 takers)
February 2023 (169 takers)
February 2022 (161 takers)
July 2021 (432 takers)
| 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 |
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Last updated: 1/7/23
*Cost ignores promotions and live tutoring.
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Crushendo’s written and audio outlines utilize 250+ proprietary mnemonics to help you memorize everything you need to know to pass the bar exam on your first try.
Crushendo’s complete bar prep course, the UBE Suite, costs $970 and includes 1,750+ official practice questions from the NCBE.
Crushendo offers lifetime access for all of its bar exam prep products.
Adam Balinski founded Crushendo Bar Review in 2017 (read the founding story here).
The Harcourt publishing company founded Barbri in 1974 when it acquired two bar review programs. Since its founding, Barbri has been owned by large firms including Thomson Reuters and Leeds Equity Partners.
Barbri products have been used by more than a million law school students. In the last 20 years Barbri has settled multiple antitrust lawsuits.
Barbri’s traditional bar prep programs cost $1,999-4,199 and some include 100+ official NCBE questions from past bar exams.
Barbri offers access to its traditional, full-time bar prep course for 8-10 weeks, but early access can be purchased.
Themis Bar Review is based in Chicago and was founded in 2008.
Themis’s bar prep program costs $2,695 and includes 1,350+ NCBE questions.
Themis offers access to its online products for four months.
Stanley Kaplan founded Kaplan, Inc. in 1938.
Kaplan jumped into the bar review space in 2006 when it acquired PMBR, a company that provides test prep for the MBE. In 2008 Kaplan expanded its bar review offerings.
Kaplan’s bar prep programs cost $2,199-3,999 and include 1,200+ NCBE questions.
Kaplan offers access to its online products for four months.
Alexander Nakis founded AmeriBar in 1999. It’s headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida.
AmeriBar’s bar exam prep programs cost $1,299-2,599 and include 1,400+ NCBE questions.
AmeriBar offers access to its online products for up to three years.
Michael Ghaffary and Mehran Ebadolahi founded BarMax in 2010.
BarMax’s bar prep course costs $1,895 and includes 1,700+ NCBE questions.
BarMax offers lifetime access to its online products.
What’s the format of the UBE?
The UBE is administered twice each year in Indiana (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 Performance Test (MPT), and the the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE). See more information on the format here.
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 score.
Crushendo offers affordable, comprehensive written and audio outlines for MBE subjects (in addition to MEE and MPRE subjects).
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
Are you interested in taking the Indiana State bar exam? Here’s some basic information on applying to take the Indiana bar exam.
The Indiana Bar application fee for most takers is $250 if you file an early application. There is a $250 late fee.
*Visit the Indiana State Bar’s website for more information.
If you desire to take the bar exam in February, you should submit your application by November 15 to avoid late fees. If you file between November 15 and November 30, you will pay a $250 late fee.
If you desire to take the bar exam in February, you should submit your application by April 1 to avoid late fees. If you file between April 1 and April 15, you will pay a $250 late fee.
In addition to passing the Indiana bar exam with a score of at least 264, there are several requirements that must be met in order to be admitted as an attorney in Indiana, including:
- Score 80 or higher on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) within the accepted time frame.
- Certificate from Committee of Character and Fitness
- Be a graduate of an ABA approved law school
Indiana State Bar Admissions Office
Physical address:
Office of Admissions and Continuing Education
251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 550
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone number: (317) 232-2552
Email: ble@courts.in.gov
Allowed Items
- Laptop
- Power cord (with extension cord)
- External mouse and mouse pad
- Government ID, car keys, hotel key
- Highlighters, pens, pencils
- Feminine hygiene products
Prohibited items
- Any item that can connect to the internet
- Any item that can record audio or video
- Backpacks
- Books
- Briefcases
- Calculators
- Cameras
- Hats or coats
- Notes
- Phones
- Food or drink
- Purses
- Radios
- Rulers
- Scratch papers
- Study materials
- Watches
View recent bar pass lists:
Frequently Asked Questions
When are my Indiana Bar Exam results released?
Indiana Bar Exam results are usually posted nine to ten weeks after the exam date.
Can I see my Indiana Bar Exam score?
If you passed the Indiana Bar Exam, you won’t be able to see your score. If you failed the exam, you will receive your written examination back.
Can I appeal to have my Indiana Bar Exam re-graded?
No.
How many times can I take the bar exam in Indiana?
You can take the Indiana Bar Exam without limit.
Indiana has reciprocity with any state or the District of Columbia. In order to be admitted on a foreign license, you must meet the following requirements according to Rule 6:
- Actively be engaged in the practice of law for five of the last seven years
- Be a member in good standing of the bar of your state
- Meet Character and Fitness requirements
- Graduate from an ABA-approved law school
- Have not failed the Indiana bar within five years
Here’s a list of law schools in Indiana.
University of Notre Dame School of Law
- Founded: 1869
- Located: Notre Dame, IN
- Enrollment: about 600
- Tuition Cost: $63,090 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 90%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.nd.edu
Maurer School of Law (Indiana University Bloomington)
- Founded: 1842
- Located: Bloomington, IN
- Enrollment: about 500
- Tuition Cost: $58,406 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 88%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.indiana.edu
Robert H. McKinney School of Law (Indiana University)
- Founded: 1894
- Located: Indianapolis, IN
- Enrollment: about 800
- Tuition Cost: $49,857 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 69%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: mckinneylaw.iu.edu
Valparaiso University Law School
- Founded: 1879
- Located: Valparaiso, IN
- Enrollment: about 100
- Tuition Cost: $41,522 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 47%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: valpo.edu/law
Here are some Facebook groups you may find helpful before, and after, passing the bar exam:
Notre Dame School of Law
- NDLS Class of 2023 (116 members)
- NDLS Class of 2022 (323 members)
- NDLS Class of 2021 (315 members)
- NDLS Class of 2020 (386 members)
- NDLS Class of 2019 (405 members)
- NDLS Class of 2018 (385 members)
- NDLS Class of 2016 (318 members)
Maurer School of Law (Indiana University Bloomington)
- IU Maurer School of Law Students Page (All Classes) (540 members)
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law BLSA Alumni and Student Group (115 members)
- Indiana Law Society of New York (Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, IN) (36 members)
- IU Maurer School of Law Grad Students (450 members)
Robert H. McKinney School of Law (Indiana University)
- Women’s Caucus- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (108 members)
- Student Immigration Law Society (IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law) (31 members)
- Hispanic Law Society IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law (55 members)
- Thai Law Alumni – Indiana University (136 members)
- IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Graduate Programs (289 members)
- IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Class of 2023/20234 (155 members)
- IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Class of 2022/2023 (266 members)
- IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Class of 2021/2022 (241 members)
- IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Class of 2020 (229 members)
- IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Class of 2018 (273 members)
- IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Class of 2019 (251 members)
- IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Class of 2017 (280 members)
- IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law Class of 2016 (210 members)
Valparaiso University Law School
- Valparaiso Law Black Alumni (92 members)
- Valparaiso Law Alumni (97 members)
- Valparaiso University Law Class of 2016 (127 members)
- Valparaiso University Law Class of 2017 (130 members)
- Valparaiso University Law Class of 2018 (119 members)
- Valparaiso University Law Class of 2019 (92 members)
- Valparaiso University Law Class of 2020 (10 members)
More helpful resources and study materials to help you pass the Indiana State bar exam: