New York Bar Exam

Basic Information About Taking the New York Bar Exam

Eisla Sebastian

The New York Bar Exam has been reported as one of the most difficult bar exams in the country to pass. With this in mind it is important to prepare properly for this exam. Preparing for the New York Bar Exam will need to include studying both state and federal laws, as well as studying state and federal legal procedures. This article can be used as a study tool, as it provides an outline of all of the information that you will need to study to pass the New York Bar Exam. If you have additional questions about taking the New York Bar Exam after reading this article you can visit the official site for the New York Bar Exam at http://www.nybarexam.org/barexam.htm.


QUALIFICATIONS

There are several ways that you can qualify to sit for the New York Bar Exam. The first way is to graduate from an ABA approved law school. The second way is to attain a combination of law school and law office study. For more information about this read Section 520.4 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals. The third way that you can qualify to sit for the New York Bar Exam is to graduate from a non-ABA approved law school and be a licensed attorney in another state for at least five years. The final way to qualify is to graduate from a foreign law school. In addition to these educational requirements you will also need to pass background check and pass the MPRE with a score of at least 85 points.

REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM

To register to sit for the New York Bar Exam you will need to download, print out, complete, and submit an application package. These can be found on the New York State Board of Law Examiners' website.

State Board of Law Examiners
One Executive Centre Drive
Albany, New York 12203-5195
(518) 452-8700 Local Phone Number
(800) 342-3335 Toll Free in New York Only
http://www.nybarexam.org

THE EXAM'S FORMAT

The New York Bar Exam is a two day event that is given in Albany, Buffalo, and Manhattan during the last week of February and during the last week of July each year. On the first day of the New York Bar Exam you will be given a Multistate Performance Test Question, 50 New York State Law multiple choice questions, and five New York essay questions. On the second day of the New York Bar Exam you will be given the Multistate Bar Exam which consists of 200 multiple choice questions.

WHAT TO STUDY

To prepare for the New York Bar Exam Essay you should review the following topics:

1. Constitutional Law
2. Evidence
3. Contracts
4. Criminal Law and Procedure
5. Real Property
6. Torts
7. Remedies
8. Community Property
9. Conflict of Laws
10. Persons and Domestic Relations
11. Corporations
12. Agency and Partnership
13. Wills, Estates, and Trusts
14. Uniform Commercial Code
15. New York and Rules of Civil Procedure
16. Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

For a study materials please check out the following links:

1. New York Rules of Civil Procedures located at http://www.megalaw.com/ny/top/nycivpro.php
2. New York Rules of Criminal Procedures located at http://www.megalaw.com/ny/top/nycriminal.php
3. New York Codes located at http://www.romingerlegal.com/state/newyork.html
4. Uniform Commercial Code located at http://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/ucc.table.html
5. You can request sample MEE essay questions by writing to: National Conference of Bar Examiners, 402 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703-3614

To prepare for the New York Bar Exam you will need to study for the Multistate Bar Exam. This exam will be made up of 200 multiple choice questions that cover the following topics as they are generally applied throughout the United States of America:

1. Constitutional Law
2. Contracts and Sales
3. Criminal Law and Procedures
4. Evidence
5. Real Property
6. Torts

If you would like a study guide for this section you can visit the NCBE website at http://www.ncbex.org/.

Published by Eisla Sebastian

I have lived and worked in the Missoula Valley most of my life. I am a freelance writer and emergency management specialist. I operate my own small consulting firm for business disaster preparedness and al...  View profile

  • The NY Bar Exam is given two times a year.
  • The MBE is a part of the NY Bar Exam.
  • There is an essay section.
You will need to take the MPRE to sit for the NY Bar Exam.

2 Comments

Post a Comment
  • ompi@nycbar.org11/30/2007

    The New York City Bar Association

    Hosts

    CONGRATULATIONS!
    YOU'VE PASSED THE BAR

    When:Thursday, December 6, 2007, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

    Where:House of the Association, 42 West 44th Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues)

    What:Cocktail reception co-hosted by the New York City Bar Association and the New York Law Journal


    Join us in toasting the achievement of law school graduates who have just passed the bar exam. Mingle with the newest crop of lawyers and celebrate the commencement of their careers.

    This is also a great opportunity to learn more about the New York City Bar Association and the programs it offers to students, attorneys, and the public.

    The cocktail reception is free and open to recent law school graduates, their guests, and the media. To register, please email membership@nycbar.org.


    About the Association
    The New York City Bar Association (www.nycbar.org) was founded in 1870, and since then has been dedicated to maintaining the high ethic

  • Robbi Erickson7/13/2006

    I need to add a little bit more information about the New York MPRE requirements. You can take the MPRE before or after taking the New York Bar Exam. However, it must be taken and passed before submitting your application for admittance to the New York Bar. For more information visit http://www.nybarexam.org/mpre.htm

Displaying Comments

To comment, please sign in to your Yahoo! account, or sign up for a new account.