The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)

The MPRE is a multiple choice examination containing 50 questions, administered by the American College of Testing (ACT) on behalf of the NCBE three times each calendar year (March, August, and November). The test is designed to measure the examinee's knowledge of the ethical standards of the legal profession and is two hours and five minutes in length.

Although scored nationally, each jurisdiction establishes its own passing score, and requirements for when an applicant/student may take the examination.

News

In February 2002 the American Bar Association (ABA) adopted certain changes to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct (MPRC) as a result of the recommendations of the Commission on Evaluation of the Rules of Professional Conduct (popularly known as "Ethics 2000").  In August 2002 the American Bar Association adopted additional changes to the MPRC as a result of the recommendations of the Comission on Multijurisdictional Practice and the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

These 2002 Changes to the MPRC will first be reflected in the content of the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) that will be administered in March 2004.

Candidates who are planning to take the MPRE should obtain a copy of the Information Booklet for the applicable year.  The current MPRE Information Booklet appears here.

Missouri Supreme Court Rule 8 requires proof of a score of not less than 80. The examination can be taken either: (A) within three years before the date the applicant takes the examination prescribed in Rule 8.08(a) [the Bar Examination], which is successfully completed, or (B) within one year after the date of publication of the applicant's successful completion of the examination prescribed in Rule 8.08(a) [the Bar Examination]. However, those who plan to subsequently take the Illinois Bar Exam must note that there is a more restrictive time period to take the MPRE while in law school (see next paragraph).

Illinois requires a scaled score of 80 or more points on the MPRE. An Illinois applicant must have earned two-thirds of the credits required to obtain a J.D. degree from his or her law school before sitting for the MPRE; no exceptions to this rule are made. An applicant need not take the MPRE before writing the bar exam. However, The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar must receive satisfactory proof that an applicant has achieved a passing MPRE score before he or she can be recommended for admission to the bar.

Applications for the MPRE can be picked up in the Registrar's Office or online.

More information can be found on-line at 

http://mbe.pli.edu/exam/MPRE/mpre.html

http://www.cpe-cbr.com/BarReview/mpreexam.htm