What Is The Difference Between The MEE And The MPT?

What Is The Difference Between The MEE And The MPT?

Acronyms.  So.  Many.  Acronyms.  MPT.  MEE.  MBE.  UBE.  This post will focus on the difference between the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).

What Is The Difference Between The MEE And The MPT?

What is the MPT?

To begin, the MPT, along with the MBE and MEE, is part of the Uniform Bar Exam.  The MPT is comprised of two, 90-minute assessments that test a student’s ability to, in essence, “practice law.”  Students may be presented with a task like writing an objective memo or a persuasive brief.  This part of the exam accounts for 20% of the UBE score.

Next, the details.  The MPT consists of two sets of materials:  (1) the File, and (2) the Library.  The File contains a Task Memo which outlines what you are supposed to do.  In addition to giving you the actual assignment, it also tells you what your answer should “sound like,” such as in persuasive or objective, informal or formal.  The factual documents are the “stuff” of the assignment.  This file may include anything from deposition transcripts and interviews to pleadings and discovery documents.  Importantly, it also contains the law.  Caselaw, statutes, constitutions, bylaws, uniform rules, regulations, and executive orders are all included to help you respond to the MPT prompt.

A few tips.  First and foremost, practice the MPT.  This is often the area where students may be less invested.  While it’s true that, unlike the MEE, the law is right there in front of you, this can be misleading.  With all the law in front of you, time becomes the real challenge.  Are you good under pressure?  Can you outline your task and then dive right in?  Do you need time to think?  Do you even know the answer to any of these questions if you don’t even practice? (That’s a rhetorical question.) Once you’ve completed a task, be sure to check your work.  Looking at the model answer will help you to see not only the answers, but the way in which the answers are presented.  This can help as you perfect your tone, format, and structure.  We have previously written on how to self-grade your practice MPT, so be sure to check out that post! We also offer an MPT seminar.

What is the MEE?

The MEE, unlike the MPT, is more like a traditional law school exam.  However, like the MPT, the goal of the MEE is to translate the law that applies to your fact pattern in a clear, coherent manner.  In addition to traditional 1L courses, the MEE tests subjects including Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Business Organizations, Conflicts of Law, Trusts and Estates, and the Secured Transactions.  The MEE consists of 6, 30-minute essay questions and is worth 30% of your total UBE score.  For a short video on the ins and outs of the MEE click here.

To prepare for the MEE, students should complete practice essays and work to memorize the law on the tested subjects.  Like when practicing for the MPT, the self-grading process is just as important as the answering process.  Understanding what you did wrong (and right) will help to prepare you not only on the MEE but also on other parts of the exam.  If you are looking for MEE help, JD Advising offers an MEE-specific course.

In closing, the difference between the MEE and the MPT is specific to the questions themselves and what the questions are testing.  While the MPT tests a student’s ability to apply the law to “real life scenarios” that often involve a partner or a client, the MEE tests a student’s ability to answer questions on specific subjects from memory.  Prepare for both and you’ll be well on your way to passing the bar!

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