The standard UBE takes two days and about 12 hours of testing: two 3-hour sessions each day. Some states add a local-law component, and California gives its own two-day exam. The table below shows a typical UBE schedule.
| Day & session | Component | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 — Morning | Multistate Performance Test (MPT): 2 tasks, 90 minutes each | 3 hours |
| Day 1 — Afternoon | Multistate Essay Exam (MEE): 6 essays, about 30 minutes each | 3 hours |
| Day 2 — Morning | Multistate Bar Exam (MBE): 100 multiple-choice questions | 3 hours |
| Day 2 — Afternoon | MBE: 100 multiple-choice questions | 3 hours |
If you are asking how long the whole process takes: law school is three years, study for the bar takes 8–10 weeks, and results usually come out about 6 to 12 weeks after the exam, depending on the state.
Good to know
The NextGen bar exam started in some jurisdictions in July 2026. NCBE says it takes about 9 hours over a day and a half. States are switching on different timelines, so check your state bar’s website for the version you will take.
How long is the bar exam?
The Uniform Bar Exam is two days with about 12 hours of testing: the MPT and MEE on day one and the 200-question MBE on day two. The NextGen bar exam, being adopted state by state from July 2026, is shorter at about 9 hours.
USA Bar Exam: Quick Facts
- Administered by
- State bar admission boards (most exam content written by NCBE)
- Length (UBE)
- 2 days, about 12 hours of testing
- Components
- MBE (200 questions) · MEE (6 essays) · MPT (2 tasks)
- Scoring
- 400-point scale; most UBE states require 260–270
- When
- Last Tuesday–Wednesday of February and July
- Study time
- 400–600 hours (8–10 weeks full-time)
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Disclaimer: This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Bar admission rules vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm dates, fees and requirements with your state’s bar admission authority. Read our editorial policy.