Multistate Performance Test
The Multistate Performance Test, or MPT, is an exam used by 33 jurisdictions to test the prospective lawyer’s ability to use fundamental lawyering skills in a realistic situation. Each test is designed to evaluate the applicant’s ability to complete a task that all beginning lawyers should be able to conquer. More specifically, the test is looking for six specific fundamental skills that all lawyers, regardless of their area of law, are expected to demonstrate. The six skills are:
- 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
These skills are tested by a variety of lawyering tasks, such as a will, a contract provision, a letter to a client, and a proposal for settlement or agreement. The MPT consists of two 90-minute MPT questions. Jurisdictions have the option of administering one or both, and the MPT can be used in combination with the MEE and state-developed essay questions to create either a 3, 4, or 6-hour written exam. Always, the MPT is administered the same day as the MEE, on the Tuesday before the last Wednesday in February and July. Each jurisdiction is responsible for scoring the MPT and are given grading guidelines to help them score properly.
During the MPT
During the MPT each applicant is given materials for each MPT question. The materials include a File and a Library. Files consist mainly of source documents that contain all of the facts of the case. Supervising attorneys distribute the individual assignments to each applicant via memorandums. Files may also include items such as transcripts of interviews, client documents, medical records, newspaper articles and contracts among many other things of this nature. The Library usually consists of cases, statutes, regulations and rules (beware that some of these items may not be relevant to the applicant’s case). The applicant’s goal is to extract the legal principles needed to analyze the problem and perform the task from the Library. The Library provides applicants will all of sufficient information they need to complete the task.
Cost of the MPT
Each jurisdiction that administers the MPT charges a different fee. It’s extremely important you contact your jurisdiction before beginning to study or registering for any of the bar exams. Only 33 jurisdictions use this test as part of their bar exam. Study materials can be found in book stores, universities, online and through various law associations.
Worldwide Jurisdictions Using the MPT
The following list consists of all jurisdictions who administer the MPT as part of their bar examination.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- D.C.
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Maine
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Is.
