How Much Time Per MBE Question Do I Have?

How Much Time Per MBE Question Do I Have?

The Multistate Bar Exam, or MBE, is a six-hour exam consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. The MBE is administered in two parts: a three-hour morning session with 100 questions, and a three-hour afternoon session with 100 questions. There’s usually a one hour lunch between the two sessions. While that may sound simple enough, MBE questions can be very challenging. Oftentimes, they contain more than one correct answer, but the examinee is required to choose the “best” answer. In other words, each MBE question demands careful reading, a firm knowledge of the relevant legal rules, and precise analysis. The next obvious question for bar exam takers is this: how much time per MBE question do I have?

How Much Time Per MBE Question Do I Have?

Given this complexity, many students naturally wonder how much time they’ll need for each MBE question. Under standard timing conditions, students have 180 minutes for 100 questions. If we divide 180 by 100, we can see that students should spend no more than 1.8 minutes—or one minute and 48 seconds—on each question.

If you can answer some questions in less than 1.8 minutes, you should definitely do so. This will give you some flexibility to spend a little more time on more challenging questions. With that said, you shouldn’t allow yourself to get hung up on a particularly difficult question—it’s just not worth it in the long run. If you find yourself spending well over two minutes on a question, then make an educated guess, flag the question in case you have extra time at the end, and move on.

Speaking of having extra time at the end: this is another advantage of averaging less than 1.8 minutes per question. For example, if you average one minute and 40 seconds per question (instead of one minute and 48 seconds per question), you’ll end up with approximately 13 extra minutes at the end of your 100 question session. This is valuable time to go back to any troublesome questions that you flagged.

How Can I Check My Progress on Test Day?

On test day, you should be able to track your progress by keeping an eye on large clocks in the exam room. Some jurisdictions may also allow you to bring a watch into the exam with you. In either case, you should monitor your pace by occasionally checking the time.

If your goal is to give yourself a little extra time at the end, you should be completing 18 questions every half hour, or 36 questions every hour. If you find through your practice that this goal is too ambitious, remember that you can stay on pace by completing 33 questions every hour.

Finally, it bears mentioning that you may have more time to complete each question if your jurisdiction grants you extra time as a reasonable accommodation for a disability.

The Big Picture

You have one minute and 48 seconds to complete each MBE question. In your practice, try to work through questions at a slightly quicker pace. That way, you’ll have time at the end of each three-hour session to go back look over your work.

• Seeking MBE Assistance?

  Seeking MBE Assistance?

  • 📘 MBE Guide: Equip yourself with our FREE expert-crafted bar exam and MBE guides.
  • Free Bar Exam Resource Center: Discover top resources, articles, and free webinars led by renowned bar exam professionals.

  Top Resources as Vouched by our Students:

  • MBE One-Sheets: One of our most highly acclaimed bar exam supplements!
  • Bar Exam Outlines: Our comprehensive and condensed bar exam outlines present key information in an organized, easy-to-digest layout.
  • MBE Private Tutoring: Opt for personalized, effective strategies.
  • On Demand Bar Exam Course: Comprehensive bar exam preparation.
  • Bar Exam Crash Course and Mini Outlines: Acclaimed and effective for a quick refresher.
  • MBE Mastery Class, Real MBE Questions, and MBE Guide: Elevate your MBE preparation with these high-quality MBE supplements!

  🔥 NEW! Check out our Repeat Taker Bar Exam Course and get introduced to our unmatched platinum Guarantee Pass Program.