Student

Curriculum

Bar Exam Subjects

MBE Subjects

MBE is a 200 question, multiple choice exam. For details, go to the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Constitutional Law
Contracts/Sales
Criminal Law/Procedure
Evidence
Real Property
Torts

MPT - Two 90 Minute Questions

The MPT is not a test of substantive knowledge. Rather, it is designed to examine six fundamental skills lawyers are expected to demonstrate regardless of the area of law in which the skills arise. MPT requires applicants to:

  • Sort detailed factual materials and separate relevant from irrelevant facts
  • Analyze statutory, case, and administrative materials for principles of law
  • Apply the law to the relevant facts in a manner likely to resolve a client's problem
  • Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas, when present
  • Communicate effectively in writing
  • Complete a lawyering task within time constraints

Test specifications are based on the MacCrate Task Force's Statement of Fundamental Lawyering Skills.

Skills are tested by requiring applicants to perform one of a variety of lawyering tasks. Examples of tasks applicants might be instructed to complete include writing the following:

  • a memorandum to a supervising attorney
  • a letter to a client
  • a persuasive memorandum or brief
  • a statement of facts; a contract provision
  • a will
  • a counseling plan
  • a proposal for settlement or agreement
  • a discovery plan
  • a witness examination plan
  • a closing argument

Subjects - Six Essay Questions

15-203. Subjects for examination.

  1. Selection of subjects. In the selection of subjects for bar examination questions, the emphasis shall be upon the basic and fundamental subjects which are ordinarily taught in law schools accredited by the American Bar Association.
  2. Testable subjects. The subjects which may be tested include:
    • The six Multistate subjects; constitutional law, contracts and sales, criminal law and procedure, evidence, real property and torts;
    • administrative law;
    • agency;
    • business entities, including corporations and partnerships;
    • equitable remedies;
    • family law, including New Mexico community property
    • federal jurisdiction and procedure;
    • Indian law, including subjects such as federal Indian law, criminal and civil jurisdiction in Indian country and Indian child welfare act under state and federal law.
    • secured transactions; and
    • wills, estates and trusts.
  3. Performance test questions. Performance test questions may be given which are designed to test applicants on the following skills: problem solving, legal analysis and reasoning, factual analysis, communication, organization and management of a legal task and recognition and resolution of ethical dilemmas. Performance test questions may contain subject areas other than those specified in Paragraph B of this rule, however, the applicants shall be provided with the substantive information necessary to answer the question.

[As amended, effective November 14, 1988; July 24, 1996; February 28, 2002, March 1, 2007.]