Iowa Bar Exam Information
Learn about the Iowa Bar Exam format, subjects tested, dates, and requirements.
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Dates, Cost & Location
| Exam Type: | 2-day Uniform Bar Exam |
|---|---|
| Dates: | July 30-31, 2024 |
| Application Fee: | $550 |
| On-Motion Application Fee: | $900 |
| UBE Transfer fee: | $900 |
The Iowa Bar Exam is a 2-day exam. Day 1 consists of two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test (MPT) questions and six 30-minute Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) questions. Day 2 is the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), a 200-question, multiple-choice exam.
What subjects will you be tested on?
Business Associations (including Agency and Partnership, Corporations, and LLCs), Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Federal Civil Procedure, Trusts & Estates (including Future Interests and Decedents’ Estates), Uniform Commercial Code (including Negotiable Instruments, Art. 3 and Secured Transactions, Art. 9), Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Constitutional Law, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.
What’s the minimum score for MPRE?
A scaled score of 80 on the MPRE must be filed with the examiners no later than April 1st preceding the July exam or November 1st preceding the February exam. MPRE scores are good for 3 years.
Need to sign up for MPRE? Learn about registration, testing policies, and more on our MPRE Registration Guide.
How is the exam scored?
The MEE and MPT scores are scaled to the MBE exam. The MBE is weighted 50%, the MEE is weighted 40%, and the MPT is weighted 10%. A total scaled score of 266 is required to pass.
When are the results released?
Iowa has not determined when results will be released.
Can I transfer my MBE scores from another jurisdiction?
Iowa accepts an MBE score from another jurisdiction or from a previous Iowa exam from one of the four last administrations of the MBE.
What about reciprocity across states?
In order to be eligible for admission without taking the Iowa Bar Exam, the applicant must have engaged in the active practice of law for 5 of the 7 years immediately preceding the application and demonstrate a bona fide intention to practice law in Iowa.
What are the application deadlines and fees?
Please visit the Iowa Board of Bar Examiners website for details on application deadlines and fees, as well as for more information on other topics.
Contact information
Web: www.iowacourts.gov/opr/attorneys/admissions/
Tel: (515) 348-4670
