The Bar Exam: Information Sessions, Application Dates, and Deadlines

Upcoming Events

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Past Information Session Recordings

Event
The MPRE: An Overview (Fall 2024)
The New York Bar Exam & Application Process (Fall 2024)
The District of Columbia Bar Exam & Application Process (Spring 2024)
The California Bar Exam & Application Process (Fall 2024)
The Massachusetts Bar Exam & Application Process (Spring 2024)
The MA Application & Accommodation Info Session with MA Bar Exam Executive Director (Spring 2024)
The Texas Bar Exam & Application Process (Fall 2024)
The Illinois Bar Exam & Application Process (Fall 2024)
Being Licensed in More Than One Jurisdiction & Choosing Which Bar Exam to Take (Fall 2024)

Upcoming Exams & Deadlines

You can begin the application process by visiting the NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, which contains information about deadlines and requirements for different jurisdictions. 

It is important that you routinely check your state’s bar admission page, as deadlines and requirements may change throughout the year and state committees are not flexible about waiving requirements.

Listed below are the bar exam dates and deadlines for the MPRE and the top six bar exam jurisdictions for HLS students. For more information, a list of all jurisdictions and their websites can be found here.

Bar exam accommodation application deadlines for the most common bar exam jurisdictions for HLS students can be found here. Links to most common jurisdictions’ accommodation webpages are also provided for students to familiarize themselves with the application requirements.

The MPRE

  • What is the MPRE?

    The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is required for admission to the bars for the majority of U.S. jurisdictions.

    It’s a two hour, 60-question multiple-choice exam administered three times per year (March, August, and November).

    J.D. students may sit for the MPRE before taking a Legal Profession course at HLS.

    You can find out more about this exam on the NCBE’s website.

  • 2025 MPRE Dates

    March 26th (Wednesday) and 27th (Thursday)

    August 20th (Wednesday) and 21st (Thursday)

    November 13th (Thursday) and 14th (Friday)

  • 2025 MPRE Registration Deadlines

    March Exams: January 23rd (Thursday)

    August Exams: June 18th (Wednesday)

    November Exams: September 25th (Thursday)

    *If you are requesting an accommodation from the NCBE, do not register for the MPRE until you have been granted that accommodation

  • 2025 MPRE Accommodation Deadlines

    March Exams: December 4th, 2024 (Wednesday)

    August Exams: April 30th (Wednesday)

    November Exams: July 30th (Wednesday)

    *The NCBE advises individuals requesting accommodations to submit their request as far in advance of their desired test administration as possible.

    *Do NOT register for the MPRE until you have received your accommodation determination letter from the NCBE as it will provide instructions on how to schedule your test appointment with your accommodation at a Pearson VUE testing center.

New York

  • 2025 NY Bar Exam Dates & Application Filing Windows

    February 25-26 Exam: October 1-31, 2024 filing window

    July 29-30 Exam: March 1-31, 2025 filing window

  • NY Bar Exam Accommodation Application Deadlines

    July Exam: March 31st of that year

    February Exam: October 31st of the previous year

    *Must be received by the date above, not by postmark.

  • 2025 NYLE Dates & Registration Deadlines

    April 10th Exam: March 11th (Tuesday)

    September 18th Exam: August 19th (Tuesday)

    December 18th Exam: November 18th (Tuesday)

    *All exams are on Thursdays at 12pm ET.

    *You must complete the NYLC to register for the NYLE.

  • 2025 NYLE Accommodation Application Deadlines

    April 10th Exam: January 10th (Friday)

    September 18th Exam: June 20th deadline (Friday)

    December 18th Exam: September 19th (Friday)

    *Must be received by the date above, not by postmark.

    *Applicants may now complete the Application for Testing Accommodations online by logging into their NY BOLE account through the Applicant Services Portal. The online Application will not be deemed submitted until all required supporting documentation is electronically uploaded to the Board, which must be done by the posted deadlines.

    *The Application for Testing Accommodations is separate from the NYLE registration.

    *Applicants can apply for accommodations for both the NY Bar Exam and NYLE at the same time.

California

  • 2025 CA Bar Exam Dates & Application Window

    *February Exam: February 25th and 26th

    Timely Filing Window: October 1st to November 1st

    Final Deadline: January 2nd (will incur the applicable late fee)

    *July Exam: July 29th and 30th

    Timely Filing Window: March 1st to April 1st

    Final Deadline: June 1st (will incur the applicable late fee)

  • CA Bar Exam Accommodation Application Deadlines

    February Exam: January 1st of that year

    July Exam: June 1st of that year

    *Must be received by the date above.

    *If a deadline falls on a nonbusiness day, the deadline will be the next business day.

District of Columbia (DC)

  • 2025 DC Bar Exam Dates & Application Window

    February Exam: February 25th and 25th

    July Exam: July 29th and 30th

    Filing Window: March 1st to March 31st (unless seating capacity if filled earlier)

    *There is no late filing period. Late applications will not be accepted.

    *DC will only have 2,200 seats available for the July 2025 exam on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • 2025 DC Bar Exam Accommodation Request Deadline

    Accommodation requests must be submitted with a bar exam completed application.

    The deadline for submitting the bar exam application and accommodation requests is March 31st unless seating capacity is filled earlier.

    Late requests will not be accepted.

Massachusetts

  • 2025 MA Bar Exam Dates & Application Window

    February Exam: February 25th and 26th

    July Exam: July 29th and 30th

    Filing Window: Not Yet Released.  Typically is 75 days prior to the first day of the bar exam.

  • MA Bar Exam Accommodation Application Deadlines

    February Exam: November 1st of the previous year

    July Exam: April 1st of that year

    Applications for testing accommodations may be submitted up to six months before the exam to which you are applying.

Texas

  • TX July Bar Exam Dates & Deadlines

    2025 Exam Date: July 29th and 30th

    Application Available: December 4th of previous year

    Timely Filing Deadline: February 1st

    Late Filing Deadline: April 1st

    Final Filing Deadline: May 1st

    *Requests for Testing Accommodations must be submitted with a Bar Exam Application, but no later than the Late Filing Deadline (April 1st).

  • TX February Bar Exam Dates & Deadlines

    2025 Exam Date: February 25th to 26th

    Application Available: June 30th of previous year

    Timely Filing Deadline: September 1st

    Late Filing Deadline: November 1st

    Final Filing Deadline: December 1st

    *Requests for Testing Accommodations must be submitted with a Bar Exam Application, but no later than the Late Filing Deadline (November 1st).

Illinois

  • IL July Bar Exam Dates & Deadlines

    2025 Exam Date: July 29th and 30th

    Timely Filing Deadline: February 15th

    Late Filing Deadline: April 1st

    Final Filing Deadline: April 30th

    *Requests for Testing Accommodations must be submitted with the paper portion of the Bar Exam Application.  The are not electronically filed.

  • IL February Bar Exam Dates & Deadlines

    2025 Exam Date: February 25th to 26th

    Timely Filing Deadline: September 15th

    Late Filing Deadline: November 1st

    Final Filing Deadline: November 30th

    *Requests for Testing Accommodations must be submitted with the paper portion of the Bar Exam Application.  The are not electronically filed.