Bar Exam Comparison
North Carolina vs. South Carolina Bar Exam
A side-by-side comparison of the North Carolina and South Carolina bar exams covering format, scoring, pass rates, tested subjects, reciprocity, and more.
- Overall Pass Rate
- 74%
- First-Time Pass Rate
- 81%
- Passing Score
- UBE 270
- Exam Dates
- February and July
- MBE Subjects
- 7
- Overall Pass Rate
- 72%
- First-Time Pass Rate
- 79%
- Passing Score
- UBE 266
- Exam Dates
- February and July
- MBE Subjects
- 7
Detailed Comparison
| Category | North Carolina (NC) | South Carolina (SC) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Format | UBE (MBE 50% + MEE 30% + MPT 20%) | UBE (MBE 50% + MEE 30% + MPT 20%) |
| UBE Status | UBE | UBE |
| Passing Score | UBE 270 | UBE 266 |
| Overall Pass Rate | 74% | 72% |
| First-Time Pass Rate | 81% | 79% |
| Exam Dates | February and July | February and July |
| MBE Subjects | 7 subjects | 7 subjects |
| State-Specific Subjects | None (UBE only) | None (UBE only) |
| Essay Topics |
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|
| Bar Admission Authority | North Carolina Board of Law Examiners | South Carolina Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners |
| Character & Fitness | North Carolina requires a thorough character and fitness evaluation including criminal background checks, credit history review, and disclosure of disciplinary or academic misconduct. Applicants may be required to appear for a personal interview. | South Carolina requires a comprehensive character and fitness investigation overseen by the Board of Law Examiners, including criminal background checks, financial history review, and personal reference verification. |
| Reciprocity | As a UBE jurisdiction, North Carolina accepts transferred UBE scores of 270 or higher from other UBE states. Scores are portable within the standard UBE transfer window. North Carolina requires an MPRE score of 80. | As a UBE jurisdiction, South Carolina accepts transferred UBE scores of 266 or higher. Scores must have been earned within the applicable transfer period. South Carolina is also transitioning to the NextGen bar exam for July 2028. |
| Pass Rate Trend | rising | Stable |
| Study Timeline | 10-12 weeks full-time for UBE preparation | 10-12 weeks full-time for UBE preparation |
Key Facts & Study Tips
North Carolina Key Facts
- North Carolina adopted the UBE in 2018 with a minimum passing score of 270
- First-time bar passage rates have been rising for four consecutive years
- Duke, UNC, and Wake Forest consistently produce some of the highest passage rates in the state
- North Carolina requires an MPRE score of 80, higher than the national average requirement
North Carolina Study Tips
- Aim for a UBE score of at least 280 for a comfortable margin above North Carolina's 270 minimum
- Focus heavily on MBE preparation with at least 2,000 practice questions during your study period
- Practice MPT tasks weekly to develop efficient analytical and writing skills for the performance test
- Study all MEE subjects including less common topics like Secured Transactions and Conflict of Laws
- Take the MPRE early since North Carolina requires a score of 80, which is higher than many states
- North Carolina's pass rates have been rising, but do not let this reduce your preparation intensity
South Carolina Key Facts
- South Carolina adopted the UBE in 2017 with a minimum passing score of 266
- South Carolina has announced plans to adopt the NextGen bar exam beginning July 2028
- February pass rates are significantly lower than July rates, often around 54% overall
South Carolina Study Tips
- South Carolina's UBE passing score of 266 is moderate, so aim for at least 275 to ensure a comfortable pass
- Prioritize the MBE component since it carries the most weight at 50% of the total score
- Practice both MPT task types (persuasive briefs and objective memos) to maximize your performance test score
- Complete at least 1,500 practice MBE questions across all seven subjects
- Study MEE subjects comprehensively including Corporations, Family Law, and Conflict of Laws
- Review South Carolina-specific admission requirements early, as they include MPRE and character screening