Multistate Essay Examination
The Multistate Essay Examination, or MEE, is administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), on the Tuesday before the last Wednesday in February and July of each year. The MEE is considered a ‘collection’ of essay questions surrounding the topic of common law. Applicants are allotted 30 minutes to complete each question. This test is only administered in 26 jurisdictions within the United States, and can cover any of the following subjects:
- Constitutional Law
- Conflict of Laws
- Business Associations
- Contracts
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Evidence
- Family Law
- Federal civil procedure
- Real Property
- Torts
- Trusts and Estates
- Uniform Commercial Code- Article 3, Negotiable Instruments; Article 9, Secured Transactions
Generally, the MEE is administered in one day, (more specifically, the day before the Multistate Bar Examination). Currently, there are six MEE questions. You may notice there are 12 subjects above. This is because multiple areas of law are coupled together into one single question. Through February 2007, the NCBE provided a total of seven questions to all jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction usually selects six of the seven questions to administer. As of July 2007, the NCBE began providing a total of nine questions to all jurisdictions, allowing for a wider selection of the six questions.
In most jurisdictions, the MEE is partnered with the MPT (Multistate Performance Test that tests an examinee’s writing abilities. The difference between the MEE and the MBE is that the MEE requires the applicant to demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively in writing. Currently, 33 jurisdictions require applicants to take this test at the same time as the MPT. The only States that do not require an applicant to test for both the MEE and the MPT are Kentucky and Nebraska. You should contact your jurisdiction to find out if you are required to take the Multistate Essay Examination as a part of your jurisdictions bar examination.
To view a complete list of contact information for the jurisdictions, please click here:
http://www.ncbex.org/bar-admissions/offices/
Cost of the MEE
Because this test is not mandatory in all jurisdictions, the cost to take the MEE varies. Some jurisdictions include the fee of the MEE with other fees associated with taking the bar exam. If you are seeking study materials, try the major associations first. Unfortunately, not all of the curriculum covered in law school prepares applicants for the MEE. Though it is wise to refresh your memory with school books, you may want to prepare yourself by practicing with old test questions. You can find these archives on the NCBE website.
Worldwide Jurisdictions Using the MEE
The following list consists of all jurisdictions who administer the MEE as part of their bar examination.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- D.C.
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Is.
- Palau
