How Much Can An Incomplete MPT Hurt Your Bar Score?

How Much Can An Incomplete MPT Hurt Your Bar Score?

The Multistate Performance Test includes two 90-minute problems that count as 20 percent of a student’s bar exam score. The materials for each problem are presented by way of a File and a Library, and everything a student needs to complete the problem is contained therein.  Because the materials are provided, many students leave studying for the MPT until the last minute, and some fail to prepare for the MPT at all.  This post addresses how an incomplete MPT impacts your bar exam score.

How Much Can An Incomplete MPT Hurt Your Bar Score?

The MPT: Point by Point

To better understand how not completing the MPT can impact your final score, a bit of math is in order.  As we outlined in this previous post about MPT scoring, in a Uniform Bar Exam jurisdiction, the MPT and MEE combined are worth 200 points.   Of those 200 points, the MPT is worth 20%, or 80 points, and the MEE is worth 30%, or 120 of those points.  Finally, each MPT is worth 40 points, and in most states, a score of 4 is considered passing.  We also have a post that provides more information  more information on deciphering the grading for MPTs.

With respect to the exact numbers needed to pass, it depends on what your specific jurisdiction requires to pass. For example, in UBE jurisdictions that require a 260 to pass, a 3.9 on the MPT is considered passing whereas, in jurisdictions that require a 280 to pass, a 4.2 is considered passing.  As you can see, not completing the MPT at all can significantly impact your bar exam score.

By way of example, consider the following:  If you fail to write anything at all on an MPT and as a consequence, earn no points for that question, you will lose 50% off your total MPT score, but only 10% off your total bar exam score.  This means that if you write nothing for one MPT, you can still theoretically pass the bar exam.

MPT Struggles: Identify Your Weaknesses

Students struggle on the MPT for a variety of reasons.  These reasons include things like the prompt requiring the test-taker to respond in a way that might be unfamiliar to him or her, the question deals with a complicated fact pattern or obscure area of the law, or the test taker misappropriates time.  Like all parts of the bar exam, whether the MPT is “hard” is a matter of perspective.  Students who struggle to follow directions can get off track when completing the MPT, and students who toil over the difference between relevant and irrelevant facts may also run into some challenges.

Knowing the areas in which you struggle, from outlining your answer to particular areas of the law, will allow you to prepare in a way that will help you avoid your own personal pitfalls.  Addressing those pitfalls by practicing accordingly will help you to succeed on the MPT.  We recommend that you complete at least 7 or 8 MPTs during bar prep.  This can be done by scheduling a weekly two-hour time slot, 90 minutes to take the test with a 30-minute window for prep and wrap up, so you can practice your timing on the MPT.

Test Day Strategies: Just Write Something.

Rather than submitting an incomplete MPT, the more likely scenario is that you might run out of time.  If you run out of time on an MPT, chances are you will have at least written something, and if you have at least written something, then you will likely earn points.  The lesson here is to write as much as you can, and remember that one MPT will likely not dictate whether you pass or fail the exam.  Remember too that you can make up for lackluster performance on one MPT by scoring higher on the second MPT.  In other words, all is not lost if you do not complete the MPT, especially if you do well on the other components of the exam.  Stay focused.  Stay writing.  And stay moving.  Maintaining composure during the exam, especially when you have not completed the MPT, is critical to passing.

JD Advising provides private tutoring, an MPT guide, MPT test books, and an MPT seminar all of which are great resources to help you successfully complete the MPT and pass the bar exam.

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