Wisconsin
Bar Exam Details
Bar Exam Details
A typical Wisconsin Bar Exam is a 2-day exam.
Day 1
- May include parts of the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
- May also include questions prepared by the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners
Day 2
- Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), a 200-question, multiple-choice exam (100 questions in the AM, 100 questions in the PM)
Subjects tested
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts/Sales
- Criminal Law/Procedure
- Evidence
- Federal Civil Procedure
- Real Property
- Torts
- Business Associations (Agency and Partnership; Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Sole Proprietorships)
- Commercial Paper
- Conflict of Laws
- Family Law
- Personal Property
- Professional Responsibility
- Sales
- Taxation (Federal)
- Trusts and Estates (Decedents' Estates; Trusts and Future Interests)
- Article 9 (Secured Transactions) of the Uniform Commercial Code
- Wisconsin Civil Procedure
- Plus all MBE subjects
- “Closed universe” practical questions using instructions, factual data, cases, statutes and other reference material supplied by examiners.
- Not required for admission to Wisconsin bar.
Scoring
The written portion is scaled to the MBE, with the MBE weighted 50%. The written component of the exam may include performance on the MPT, the MEE, and/or locally developed essay questions. The composition and weight of these subcomponents may vary by exam administration.
A total scaled score of 258 is required to pass the Wisconsin Bar Exam.
Reciprocity
- Applicant may transfer scaled MBE score of at least 135 if within 37 months and from a successful exam taken no more than 60 days before the J.D. was conferred.
- A member in good standing of another U.S. state or territory may be admitted on motion in Wisconsin if the applicant has engaged in the active practice of law for three of the five years preceding application. Additional requirements apply.
Additional information
- Applicants may take the exam prior to graduation if degree was received within 60 days after the exam.
- Under diploma privilege, graduates of the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School are admitted to the practice of law by complying with the terms of SCR 40.03 – their school certifies their legal competence and the Board of Bar Examiners certifies their character and fitness for the practice of law. Additional requirements may apply.
BARBRI Bar Exam Digest
We compile all of the information that you need to know about the dates, format, subjects tested, deadlines, fees and more - for each U.S. state - in the free BARBRI Bar Exam Digest.
Sample Schedule: Course Information
BARBRI Bar Review uses best-in-class learning design to help you master complex material quickly and improve retention for test day. Your course is tailored to your unique needs, and broken into three phases: Foundations, Deep Dive, and Final Review.
This overview does not list all assignments that will be available in your Personal Study Plan (PSP). Your PSP adjusts to your strengths, weaknesses, and schedule, offering a customizable calendar with recommended assignments to boost your chances of passing.
PSP access for Premium and Elite courses begins in mid-March for July exams and mid-October for February exams. Though your calendar is customizable, BARBRI’s default schedule begins at the same time Essentials courses open: Mid-May and Mid-December, respectively.
Covers multistate subjects
- “About” videos
- These short videos explain efficient and effective ways to navigate the exam and the course
- Short story-driven episodes on core concepts across each mbe subject.
- Skills workshops
- Knowledge checks and warm-up essays
Covers multistate and essay subjects
- Short-format lecture modules
- Taught by expert professors.
- Reading, practice, assessment and reinforcement through review
- Knowledge checks and practice essays additional essay and performance
- Test writing skills instruction
- Simulated Multistate Bar Exam
- Simulated Written Exam
- Crunch time with Mini Review lectures, the Conviser Mini Review book and multiple choice and essay practice
- Civil Procedure
- Torts
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Evidence
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Real Property
- Professional Responsibility
- Corporations
- Trusts
- Agency & Partnership
- Secured Transactions
- Wills
- Conflict of Laws
- WI Civil Procedure
- Commercial Paper
- Personal Property
- Domestic Relations