Ultimate Guide to Texas State Bar Exam
Your complete guide to Texas 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
Texas State Bar Exam | Basic Information
The State Bar of Texas was formed in 1939. It is a mandatory bar with over 100,000 members.
Texas is one of 40+ jurisdictions that have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). Texas first administered the UBE in February 2021. Texas also requires the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
July 2023 (3,007 takers)
February 2023 (1,151 takers)
February 2022 (1,057 takers)
July 2021 (3,144 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 Texas (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 Texas State bar exam? Here’s some basic information on applying to take the Texas bar exam.
The Texas Bar application fee for most takers is $700. There is a $150 examination fee. There is a $40 fingerprint processing fee. There is a $50 laptop application fee.
*Visit the Texas State Bar Fee Schedule for more information.
If you desire to take the bar exam in February, registration opens on June 30. The filing deadline is September 1, the late filing deadline is November 1 ($150 fee), and the final filing deadline is December 1 ($350 fee). If you desire to take the bar exam in July, registration opens on December 1. The filing deadline is February 1, the late filing deadline is April 1 ($150 fee), and the final filing deadline is May 1 ($350 fee).
In addition to passing the Texas bar exam with a score of at least 270, there are several requirements that must be met in order to be admitted as an attorney in Texas, including:
- Score 85 or higher on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) within the accepted time frame.
- Character and Fitness Review
- Complete the Texas Bar Component
Texas State Bar Admissions Office
Mailing address:
Texas Board of Law Examiners
PO Box 13486
Austin, TX 78711-3486
Phone: 512-463-1621
Fax: 512-463-5300
Allowed Items
- Admission ticket
- Government-issued photo ID
- Pencils, erasers
- Keys, key cards, cash, credit cards
- Sweater or jacket
- Prescription medication
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
Learn more here.
View pass lists for the Texas bar exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are my Texas Bar Exam results released?
Texas Bar Exam results are usually posted nine to 10 weeks after the exam date. February bar exam results are usually posted in April. July bar exam results are usually posted in October.
Can I see my Texas Bar Exam score?
You may be able to receive an unofficial copy of your bar exam if you send a request to the bar examination office.
Can I appeal to have my Texas Bar Exam re-graded?
No.
How many times can I take the Texas Bar Exam?
You can retake the UBE five times in Texas.
Applicants seeking admission to the Texas State Bar, without taking the bar exam, must comply with Reciprocity Requirements. If you are part of a bar in any of the states, districts, or jurisdictions, you are able to have reciprocity with the State of Texas.
In order to be eligible for admittance to the Texas State Bar, without taking the bar examination, you must:
- Show proof of being admitted to the bar in another state
- Have proof of good standing in the bar in another state
- Have proof of active legal standing in at least five of the last seven years
- Have a JD from an ABA-approved law school
Here’s a list of law schools in Texas.
University of Texas at Austin School of Law
- Founded: 1883
- Located: Austin, TX
- Enrollment: about 1,000
- Tuition Cost: $54,096 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 89%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.utexas.edu
Dedman School of Law (Southern Methodist University)
- Founded: 1925
- Located: Dallas, TX
- Enrollment: about 700
- Tuition Cost: $50,986 View tuition costs
- Bar Passage Rate: 85%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: smu.edu/Law
University of Houston Law Center
- Founded: 1947
- Located: Houston, TX
- Enrollment: about 675
- Tuition Cost: $48,434 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 84%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.uh.edu
Baylor University Law
- Founded: 1857
- Located: Waco, TX
- Enrollment: about 450
- Tuition Cost: $41,188 View tuition cost
- Bar Passage Rate: 92%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: baylor.edu/law
Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Texas Southern University)
- Founded: 1947
- Located: Houston, TX
- Enrollment: about 600
- Tuition Cost: $27,828 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 77%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: tsulaw.edu
Texas A&M University School of Law
- Founded: 1989
- Located: Fort Worth, TX
- Enrollment: about 475
- Tuition Cost: $39,250 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 83%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.tamu.edu
Texas Tech University School of Law
- Founded: 1967
- Located: Lubbock, TX
- Enrollment: about 400
- Tuition Cost: $38,664 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 87%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: depts.ttu.edu/law
St. Mary’s University School of Law
- Founded: 1927
- Located: San Antonio, TX
- Enrollment: about 725
- Tuition Cost: $38,850 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 62%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.stmarytx.edu
South Texas College of Law
- Founded: 1923
- Located: Houston, TX
- Enrollment: about 1,000
- Tuition Cost: $34,050 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 72%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: stcl.edu
Here are some Facebook groups you may find helpful before, and after, passing the bar exam:
- Texas Lawyers (13,763 members)
- Texas CPS Lawyers (1,235 members)
- Texas Real Estate Lawyers (1,458 members)
- Texas Lawyers Outdoors (554 members)
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (3,666 members)
- Texas Lawyers Care (TLC) (806 members)
- Family Lawyers of Texas (488 members)
- Texas Estate & Probate Lawyers (2,610 members)
- Texas Family Lawyers (4,256 members)
- Texas Lawyers Lounge (4,375 members)
- Houston Family Law (1,712 members)
- Texas Military & Veterans Lawyers (395 members)
- Texas Appellate Lawyers (452 members)
- Traveling Texas Lawyers (887 members)
- Texas Trial Lawyers (Civil Litigation) (1,543 members)
- Texas Business & Consumer Lawyers (447 members)
University of Texas at Austin School of Law
- Human Rights Law Society at the University of Texas School of Law (135 members)
- Criminal Defense Clinic – The University of Texas School of Law (137 members)
- Texas Law Housing – Living in Austin (993 members)
- University of Texas School of Law Bradford Society (27 members)
Dedman School of Law (Southern Methodist University)
- SMU Law (406 members)
- SMU Dedman Law 2020-2021 Admitted Students (38 members)
- SMU Dedman Law 2019-2020 Admitted Students (263 members)
- SMU Dedman School of Law (818 members)
- SMU Law LLM 2017-2018 (31 members)
- Christian Legal Society, W&M Law School (176 members)
- SMU Law Current Students (746 members)
- Mustang Bar Association, SMU Law (702 members)
- SMU Law Moot Alumni, Coaches and Judges Network (325 members)
University of Houston Law Center
- UHouston Law Student Used Books for Sale (326 members)
- U. Houston Law Center 2020 Admitted Students (119 members)
- U. Houston Law Center 2019 Admitted Students (348 members)
- U. Houston Law Center 2018 Admitted Students (330 members)
- U. Houston Law Center 2017 Admitted Students (341 members)
Baylor University Law
- Baylor Law Christian Legal Society (27 members)
- Phi Alpha Delta – Baylor Law Chapter (96 members)
- Baylor Law SALDF (11 members)
- Baylor Law Textbook Exchange (412 members)
- Baylor Law Girls!! (6 members)
- Baylor Entertainment Law Society (27 members)
- Baylor Law Fall 2020 Entering Students (55 members)
- Baylor Law Summer 2020 Entering Students (11 members)
- Baylor Law Spring 2020 Entering Class (26 members)
- Baylor Law Network (1,562 members)
- Baylor Law Career Development (916 members)
- Baylor Law School Friends (53 members)
Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Texas Southern University)
- Housing – Thurgood Marshall School of Law (155 members)
- UT Law Thurgood Marshal Legal Society (11 members)
- Hispanic Law Students Association at Thurgood Marshall School of Law (131 members)
- ABA Law Student Division – Thurgood Marshall School of Law (78 members)
- Federalist Society at Texas Southern Univ.- Thurgood Marshall School of Law (46 members)
- Thurgood Marshall Legal Society – Black Law Students Association (140 members)
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law Friends (13 members)
- Thurgood Marshall Law Association (11 members)
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Class of 2022) (174 members)
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Class of 2021) (237 members)
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Class of 2019) (328 members)
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law Class of 2019: Section 3 (55 members)
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law Class of 2018 Section 2 (63 members)
Texas A&M University School of Law
- Texas A&M University Law Wealth/Risk Management (45 members)
- Texas A&M Pre-Law Society (991 members)
- Texas A&M University School of Law Student Connection (1,239 members)
- Univ. of Texas Law Class of 2023 (72 members)
- Texas A&M School of Law, Fall 2019 (169 members)
- Texas A&M School of Law, Fall 2018 (158 members)
Texas Tech University School of Law
- Texas Tech Law Alumni (1,925 members)
- Texas Tech School of Law – Class of 2023 (75 members)
- Texas Tech School of Law – Class of 2022 (242 members)
- Texas Tech School of Law – Class of 2022 – Section 1 (54 members)
- Texas Tech School of Law – Class of 2020 (218 members)
St. Mary’s University School of Law
- SM Law College (2,683 members)
- St. Mary’s University Law Alumni Association (1,065 members)
- St. Mary’s School of Law – Book Sale (389 members)
- Immigration Law Students Association of St. Mary’s University (120 members)
- Women’s Law Association of St. Mary’s (446 members)
- St. Mary’s School of Law – Law Alumni Association Austin Chapter (131 members)
- St. Mary’s Law Class of 2023 Day/2024 Evening (27 members)
- St. Mary’s Law Class of 2022 Day/2023 Evening (246 members)
- St. Mary’s Law Class of 2020 Day/2021 Evening (268 members)
South Texas College of Law
More helpful resources and study materials to help you pass the Texas State Bar Exam: