Ultimate Guide to Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam
Your complete guide to Northern Mariana Islands bar exam prep.
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*Updated February 2024
Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam | Basic Information
The CNMI Bar Association is the bar association of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Northern Mariana Islands is not a Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) jurisdiction, because part of the Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam is jurisdiction specific. However, the Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam includes each component of the UBE: the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).
Northern Mariana Islands also requires that the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) be passed in order to practice there.
July 2023 (2 takers)
February 2023 (2 takers)
July 2021 (1 taker)
February 2021 (1 taker)
| 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 Northern Mariana Islands Bar?
The Northern Mariana Islands Bar is administered twice each year in Northern Mariana Islands (in February and July). The examination is administered over two days in four, three-hour sessions. The Northern Mariana Islands Bar has four parts: the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), and the Local Content Essays (LCE).
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).
MEE
The MEE consists of six 30-minute legal essays. The MEE makes up 30% of your total 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.
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 total score. Crushendo offers the most recent MPT questions and includes the point sheets that the graders used.
Local Content Essays
The local content essays are two thirty minute essays on the local law of the Northern Mariana Islands. A score of 65% is required to pass this portion. The LCE is scored separately from the rest of the sections. The LCE can be taken anytime within 18 months of taking the other sections of the bar.
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 Northern Mariana Islands bar exam? Here’s some basic information on applying to take the Northern Mariana Islands bar exam.
Fees are subject to change. Visit the Northern Mariana Islands Bar Examiners website to see current fees.
If you desire to take the bar exam in February, the filing deadline is December 22. The late deadline is January 5.
If you desire to take the bar exam in July, you should submit your application by May 22. The late deadline is June 5.
In addition to passing the Northern Mariana Islands bar exam with a score of at least 270 out of 400, there are several requirements that must be met in order to be admitted as an attorney in Northern Mariana Islands, 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
Northern Mariana Islands Bar Admissions Office
Physical address:
P.O. Box 502165
Saipan, MP 96950
Phone: (670) 236-9800
Fax: (670) 236-9702
Email: supreme.court@nmijudiciary.com
A passing score for the bar in the Northern Mariana Islands is 270/400. Scores of the three sections of the bar are weighted as follows:
- MBE = 50% of your total score
- MEE = 30% of your total score
- MPT = 20% of your total score
You must pass the local component with at least 65%. This is graded separately and is not part of your total score.
*A passing score for the MPRE is 80/150
Frequently Asked Questions
When are my Northern Mariana Islands bar exam results released?
Northern Mariana Islands bar exam results are usually posted six to nine weeks after the exam date.
Can I see my Northern Mariana Islands bar exam score?
If you passed the Northern Mariana Islands 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 Northern Mariana Islands bar exam re-graded?
No. All tests that are within five points of passing will automatically be regraded. No other appeals process exists.
How many times can I take the bar exam in Northern Mariana Islands?
You can take the Northern Mariana Islands bar without limit.
There is no reciprocity between Northern Mariana Islands and any other jurisdiction.
Attorneys can take the Attorney’s Exam, a shortened version if the bar, if they meet the following requirements:
- Licensed in any state or territory in the US
- Active in the practice of law for at least 5 of the last 10 years
More helpful resources and study materials to help you pass the Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam:
- Northern Mariana Islands Jurisdiction Information
- Northern Mariana Islands Bar Association
- Northern Mariana Islands Judiciary
- National Conference of Bar Examiners
- American Bar Association
- Bar Prep Tips & Tricks YouTube Videos
- Awesome Law School “Lectures”
- Best Law School Audio Outlines
- Shop Crushendo