Ultimate Guide to Michigan State Bar Exam
Your complete guide to Michigan 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
Michigan State Bar Exam | Basic Information
The State Bar of Michigan was started in 1935.
Michigan is one of 40+ jurisdictions that have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). Michigan will first administer the UBE in February 2023; until then it will administer a state-specific exam, which includes the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the uniform multiple-choice component. Michigan also requires the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
July 2023 (651 takers)
February 2023 (337 takers)
July 2021 (646 takers)
February 2021 (312 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 Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is administered twice each year in Missouri (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.
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 Michigan State bar exam? Here’s some basic information on applying to take the Michigan bar exam.
The Michigan Bar application fee for most takers is $400. There is a $100 late fee. There is a $375 investigation fee and a $175 late fee for the investigation.
*Visit the Michigan State Bar’s website for more information.
If you desire to take the bar exam in February, applications open August 15. You should submit your application by November 1 to avoid late fees. If you file between November 2 and December 15, there is a $100 late fee.
If you desire to take the bar exam in July, applications open January 15. You should submit your application by March 1 to avoid late fees. If you file between March 2 and May 15, there is a $100 late fee.
In addition to passing the Michigan bar exam with a score of at least 135, there are several requirements that must be met in order to be admitted as an attorney in Michigan, including:
- Score 85 or higher on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) within the accepted time frame.
- Certificate from Committee of Character and Fitness
Michigan State Bar Admissions Office
Physical address:
Michigan Board of Bar Examiners
P.O. Box 30052
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: 517-373-4453
Fax: 517-373-5038
Email: BLE-info@courts.mi.gov
Allowed Items
- Admission Certificate
- Government-issued photo I.D.
- Wallet
- Keys
- Earplugs (not the big earphone/headphone type)
- Pens, pencils, and erasers
- Medication and medical items
- Facial tissue
- One clear plastic bottle of water per exam session, the contents must also be clear
Prohibited items
- Any item that can connect to the internet
- Any item that can record audio or video
- Backpacks
- Books
- Briefcases
- Calculators
- Cameras
- Notes
- Phones
- Food or drink
- Purses
- Radios
- Rulers
- Scratch papers
- Study materials
- Watches
View pass lists for Michigan:
Frequently Asked Questions
When are my Michigan bar exam results released?
Michigan bar exam results are usually posted six to nine weeks after the exam date.
Can I see my Michigan bar exam score?
If you passed the Michigan 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 Michigan bar exam re-graded?
Yes. You can appeal 20 days after receiving your results. You must appeal specific essays or briefs, and often licensed attorneys help test takers appeal their bar.
How many times can I take the bar exam in Michigan?
You can take the Michigan bar without limit.
Michigan has reciprocity with all other states and territories in the US. Attorneys applying to the Michigan bar must meet the following reciprocity requirements:
- Actively practice law for three of the last five years
- Certificate of Good Character and Fitness
Here’s a list of law schools in Michigan.
Wayne State University Law School
- Founded: 1927
- Located: Detroit, MI
- Enrollment: about 425
- Tuition Cost: $31,666 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 82%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.wayne.edu
University of Michigan Law School
- Founded: 1859
- Located: Ann Arbor, MI
- Enrollment: about 1,025
- Tuition Cost: $32,263 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 94%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.umich.edu
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
- Founded: 1912
- Located: Detroit, MI
- Enrollment: about 600
- Tuition Cost: $36,342 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 60%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: lawschool.udmercy.edu
Michigan State University College of Law
- Founded: 1891
- Located: East Lansing, MI
- Enrollment: about 700
- Tuition Cost: $45,638 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 77%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.msu.edu
Thomas M. Cooley College of Law
- Founded: 1972
- Located: Lansing, MI
- Enrollment: about 1,150
- Tuition Cost: $22,800 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 36%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: cooley.edu
Here are some Facebook groups you may find helpful before, and after, passing the bar exam:
Wayne State University School of Law
- Wayne Law Entrepreneurship & Business Law Society (EBLS) (82 members)
- Wayne Law – Used Textbook Buy, Sell, & Trade (227 members)
- Wayne Law (24 members)
- Wayne Law Health Law Society (12 members)
- APALSA at Wayne Law (10 members)
- Wayne Law Federalist Society (21 members)
- Women’s Law Caucus: Wayne State Law School (289 members)
- Wayne State Jewish Law Student Association (54 members)
- Wayne State University – Black Law Student Association (BLSA) (33 members)
- Wayne State Environmental Law Society (48 members)
- Wayne Law Student Board of Governors (SBG) (216 members)
- Wayne Law Career Services (201 members)
- Wayne Law Admitted Students 2020 (66 members)
- Wayne Law Admitted Students 2019 (162 members)
- Wayne Law Admitted Students 2018 (157 members)
- Wayne Law Admitted Students 2017 (172 members)
- Wayne Law Admitted Students 2016 (120 members)
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
- University of Detroit Mercy – Black Alumni Network (294 members)
- Detroit Mercy Law – Incoming Class of 2019 (89 members)
Michigan State University College of Law
- Empowering Women in Law Michigan State University (157 members)
- MSU-College of Law (557 members)
- MSU College of Law Progressive Legal Society (88 members)
- Michigan Law Class of 2023 (421 members)
- 2020 MSU Law Incoming Class (85 members)
- 2019 MSU Law Incoming Class (240 members)
- 2019-2020 MSU Law Student Ambassadors (21 members)
- 2018 MSU College of Law Admitted Students (211 members)
Thomas M. Cooley College of Law
- Cooley Law Alums (4,044 members)
- The Hispanic/Latino Law Society @ Thomas M. Cooley Law School (88 members)
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School Class of 2019 – Admitted Students (5 members)
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School Alternative Dispute Resolution (36 members)
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School Friends (14 members)
- Western Michigan University – Thomas M. Cooley Law School (class of 2018) (16 members)
- Cooley Law West Michigan Student Bar Association (274 members)
More helpful resources and study materials to help you pass the Michigan State bar exam: