Bar Exam Information

Investigate bar exam information early in your law school career! Bar examiners in a number of jurisdictions require law students to register while the student is enrolled in law school. In addition, several other jurisdictions offer a form of law student early registration on a voluntary basis. Because NDLS students practice in such a large number of jurisdictions, the Career Development Office is unable to provide specific information regarding each jurisdiction. Each student is responsible for reviewing and understanding the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they wish to practice. The links below provide more registration information.

Students should also pay close attention to the requirements of each jurisdiction that must be met in order to sit for the bar exam. For example, Illinois requires students to pass the MPRE prior to sitting for the bar exam. It also specifies that students must have completed 60 credit hours or 2/3 of their law school education prior to sitting for the MPRE. Another jurisdiction with additional requirements is Ohio where students must register during their second year of law school and show proof of attendance at a 1 credit hour substance abuse class prior to sitting for the bar exam. In short, students should investigate carefully the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they intend to sit for the bar exam and prepare accordingly. Students are encouraged to direct any questions about the process to the jurisdiction in question to ensure accuracy of the information.

Bar Review Courses

Many students choose to enroll in a commercial course designed to help them review and prepare for the bar exam. Listed below are links to several popular bar prep courses. These sites contain a summary of Bar information from all jurisdictions which can be useful for any student researching bar exam requirements. These links are provided merely as a convenience to our students and alumni and does not constitute an endorsement of any programs or products by the University of Notre Dame or Notre Dame Law School.

THE PATENT BAR EXAM

To become a Patent Attorney, one must pass the Patent Bar Exam administered by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). Individuals interested in sitting for the Patent Bar Exam should be aware of the requirements for admission to the examination which include specific scientific backgrounds.

Patent Bar Exam

MULTISTATE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILTY EXAM (MPRE)

Adjunct to the bar exam, some jurisdictions require a passing score on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination an ethics test offered three times a year and administered and graded by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.