New York
NYUBE StateEverything you need to know about the New York bar exam — format, subjects, pass rate, study timeline, and tips.
Format
The New York Bar Exam is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state, comprising a two-day test. It includes the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), and the New York-specific law questions in the New York Law Exam (NYLE).
Test Days
2
Passing Score
266 out of 400
Pass Rate
Approximately 60-70% in recent outcomes.
Registration Deadlines
Registration typically opens in early December and closes in mid-February prior to the July exam; for the February exam, registration closes in mid-October.
Tests on the basic principles of contract formation, performance, and remedies.
Focuses on civil wrongs, liability, and defenses.
Covers substantive criminal law and procedural safeguards.
Involves the structure of government, constitutional protection of rights, and judicial review.
Examines the rules and principles managing civil litigation.
Engages with the rules regarding admissibility and relevance of evidence.
Assesses ownership, transfer, and land use issues.
Focuses on the law of partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies.
Covers marriage, divorce, child custody, and support.
Examines ethics and obligations of legal professionals.
Specific state law topics tested in the NYLE.
10-12 weeks
Begin reviewing foundational concepts in all tested subjects; establish a study schedule.
8-10 weeks
Focus on intensive subject review, including outlines and practice questions.
4-6 weeks
Begin taking full-length practice exams; review performance and adjust study focus accordingly.
2-3 weeks
Consolidate knowledge with focused revision and take simulated exams under timed conditions.
1 week
Review NY-specific laws and protocols; ensure readiness for the exam format and logistics.
New York allows attorneys who are admitted in other UBE jurisdictions to transfer their UBE score, facilitating admission without retaking the bar in New York.