Can I Take The MPRE After The Bar Exam?

Can I Take The MPRE After The Bar Exam?

So, maybe you waited until the last minute to take the MPRE.  Perhaps you fell just short of the pass mark the first couple of times you took that test.  Or maybe you just completely forgot about the MPRE.  Whatever the case may be, this post addresses whether you can take the MPRE after the bar exam.

Can I Take The MPRE After The Bar Exam?

Sooner rather than later.

First things first, we would be remiss if we did not recommend that you take the MPRE sooner rather than later.  Not only is it good to just get it out of the way, but it also leaves you room to take it again if you are unsuccessful the first (or second) time.  If you are still in the process of deciding when to take the MPRE, check out this post that provides some additional detail about the pros and cons of taking the MPRE at various points throughout law school.  For example, taking the MPRE during the summer may conflict with summer jobs and internships, but taking the MPRE in November may present challenges with holidays and finals exams.

On top of deciding when to take the MPRE, there are also, of course, questions regarding how to take the MPRE—preparation and study time.  While the exam itself may only be two hours, the time spent studying is much greater.   Studying for the MPRE while also taking classes, managing extra-curriculars, and staying ahead of other obligations, is no easy feat.

The MPRE: A State Issue

Putting all of that aside, the short answer of whether you can take the MPRE after the bar exam is “it depends.” Each jurisdiction ultimately decides whether you can take the MPRE after the bar exam, and states vary greatly regarding MPRE score requirements and time frames in which a particular jurisdiction will accept an MPRE score.

For example in Alabama, if a student takes and passes the Alabama Bar Exam but the applicant does not yet have a valid MPRE score, he or she has 25 months from the date of the Alabama Bar Exam to satisfy the MPRE requirement. On the other hand, in Alaska, one seeking admission to the bar can submit his or her MPRE score any time prior to admission. Pennsylvania applicants have up to three months after receiving their bar exam score to successfully pass the MPRE.  However, in Iowa applicants must have a passing MPRE score of 80 or above, on file with the Office of Professional Regulation, before the applicant is allowed to sit for the bar examination.

Then of course there is a matter of failing the bar exam and then taking the MPRE after the bar exam you just failed (just a note—this is not great for confidence).  As we discussed in this previous post, Michigan allows applicants to take the MPRE after the bar exam, however, if an applicant fails the bar exam, the applicant cannot sit for the bar exam again, until he or she passes the MPRE.

As you consider when to take the MPRE, be sure to check with the state where you’re taking the bar exam to see when they might require you to take the MPRE!

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