Ultimate Guide to North Dakota State Bar Exam
Your complete guide to North Dakota 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 February 2024
North Dakota State Bar Exam | Basic Information
The State Bar Association of North Dakota was formed in 1899. There are 2,900 members in the state, and it is the oldest unified state bar association in the country.
North Dakota is one of 40+ jurisdictions that have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). North Dakota first administered the UBE in February 2011.
July 2023 (43 takers)
February 2023 (39 takers)
February 2022 (25 takers)
July 2021 (65 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 |
–
Last updated: 1/7/23
*Cost ignores promotions and live tutoring.
–
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 North Dakota (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 North Dakota State bar exam? Here’s some basic information on applying to take the North Dakota bar exam.
Currents law students should use the law student registration as it will reduce later fees they must pay to take the bar exam. They must pay $250 by October 1 of their second year of law school for a Character and Fitness Investigation fee. If the law student applies after October 1 but before May 15 of their second year of law school, they must pay $355 for their Character and Fitness Investigation fee and an additional $150 late registration fee. If the law student applies after May 15 but before November 1 of their third year, they must pay $355 for their Character and Fitness Investigation fee and an additional $250 late registration fee. Students will pay additional fees as they apply for the bar, but the cost will be reduced.
3L Without Law Student Registration
July Bar
If you apply for the bar before March 15, you will pay a $550 fee and an additional $355 fee for the Character and Fitness investigation fee. If you apply between March 15 and April 15, you will pay an additional $100 late fee. If you apply between April 15 and May 15, you will pay a $150 late fee.
February Bar
If you apply for the bar before November 1, you will pay a $550 fee and an additional $355 fee for the Character and Fitness investigation fee. If you apply between November 1 and November 15, you will pay an additional $100 late fee. If you apply between November 15 and December 1, you will pay a $150 late fee.
JD Awarded More Than 1 Year Ago
July Bar
If you apply for the bar before March 15, you will pay a $150 fee and an additional $500 fee for the Character and Fitness investigation fee. If you apply between March 15 and April 15, you will pay an additional $100 late fee. If you apply between April 15 and May 15, you will pay a $150 late fee.
February Bar
If you apply for the bar before November 1, you will pay a $150 fee and an additional $500 fee for the Character and Fitness investigation fee. If you apply between November 1 and November 15, you will pay an additional $100 late fee. If you apply between November 15 and December 1, you will pay a $150 late fee.
July Bar
If you apply for the bar before March 15, you will pay a $150 fee. If you apply between March 15 and April 15, you will pay an additional $100 late fee. If you apply between April 15 and May 15, you will pay a $150 late fee.
February Bar
If you apply for the bar before November 1, you will pay a $150 fee. If you apply between November 1 and November 15, you will pay an additional $100 late fee. If you apply between November 15 and December 1, you will pay a $150 late fee.
If you want to take the July bar exam, you should submit your application by November 1 to avoid late fees. The final deadline is December 1. If you desire to take the bar exam in February, you should submit your application by March 15 to avoid late fees. The final deadline is May 15.
In addition to passing the North Dakota bar exam with a score of at least 260, there are several requirements that must be met in order to be admitted as an attorney in North Dakota, including:
- Score 85 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
North Dakota State Bar Admissions Office
Address:
State Board of Law Examiners
Judicial Wing, 1st Fl.
600 E Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505-0530
Phone number: (701) 328-4201
Email: barexaminers@ndcourts.gov
What to bring
- Your current driver’s license.
- Your Bar Examination Identification & Certification Card that has your photo, NCBE number, and examinee number.
Important notes
- You need to have these items with you for each of the four testing sessions.
- Laptop testers should not bring their laptop in a case or bag.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
When are my North Dakota bar exam results released?
February bar exam results are normally posted in April. July bar exam results are normally posted in September. *February 2022 bar exam results news release.
Can I see my North Dakota bar exam score?
If you passed the North Dakota bar exam, you won’t be able to see your score. If you failed the exam, you can send a letter to the North Dakota Bar Admissions Office and ask for your written responses, which they will mail to you.
Can I appeal to have my North Dakota bar exam re-graded?
No.
How many times can I take the bar exam in North Dakota?
You can retake the UBE six times in North Dakota.
Attorneys from all states, territories, and districts are eligible to have reciprocity with North Dakota if they meet the Reciprocity Based on Practice requirements:
- Have a JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Actively practice law for at least four of the last five years.
- Pass a Character and Fitness Investigation.
Here’s a list of law schools in North Dakota.
University of North Dakota School of Law
- Founded: 1899
- Located: Grand Forks, ND
- Enrollment: about 200
- Tuition Cost: View tuition breakdown$42,835
- Bar Passage Rate: 79%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.und.edu
Here are some Facebook groups you may find helpful before, and after, passing the bar exam:
University of North Dakota School of Law
More helpful resources and study materials to help you pass the North Dakota State Bar Exam: