Maryland Bar Exam Information

2010 exam dates and location(s)

The February 2010 Maryland bar exam will take place on Tuesday, February 23 and Wednesday, February 24 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The July 2010 Maryland bar exam will take place on Tuesday, July 27 and Wednesday, July 28 at multiple sites yet to be determined, as the Convention Center will not be available.

Subject matter (MBE subjects are in bold)

Agency, Business Associations, Commercial Transactions, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Corporations, Evidence, Family Law, Maryland Civil Procedure, Professional Responsibility, Real Property, and Torts.

Structure

The Tuesday exam day consists of the written portion of the exam – 10 essays and an MPT. The Wednesday exam day consists of the MBE. The MBE is a 200 question multiple choice exam. 100 questions are asked in the morning over a three hour period, and 100 questions are asked in the afternoon over a three hour period. The MBE has 33 questions each for Contracts and Torts, and 31 questions each for Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, and Real Property. 190 of the 200 questions are graded, the other 10 are experimental. 200 questions over six hours averages out to 1.8 minutes per question.

Scoring

Each Maryland essay question is worth six points. The MPT is worth 12 points. The essay and MPT scores are scaled up to 200 points and weighted twice as much as the MBE, for a total score of 600 points. An examinee must score 406 points to pass the exam.

MPRE

Maryland does not require the MPRE.

Pass rate

Maryland’s pass rate for the July 2008 exam was 88% for first time takers, and 82% for all takers.

Other exam information

Maryland bar examinees may transfer a concurrent MBE score.

Note that no digital watches are permitted in the exam room.

Bar examiner contact information

Application deadlines and fees

For the February 2010 exam, the deadline is September 15, 2009. The fee associated with that deadline is $225 plus the $250 Original Petition fee, for a total fee of $475. The late deadline for the February 2010 exam is December 21, 2009. The fee associated with that deadline is $275 plus the $250 Original Petition fee, for a total fee of $525.

For the July 2010 exam, the deadline is January 19, 2010. The fee associated with that deadline is $225 plus the $250 Original petition fee, for a total fee of $475. The late deadline for the July 2010 exam is May 20, 2010. The fee associated with that deadline is $275 plus the $250 Original Petition fee, for a total fee of $525.

The Board must RECEIVE applications by the dates above – it is not enough that applications are postmarked by the dates above. The Board will not confirm receipt of an application over the phone. Thus, to confirm receipt of an application, the Board suggests that applicants use delivery confirmation or include a self-addressed stamped envelope or post card with their application.

Applicants must submit their final transcripts by March 15, 2010 for the February 2010 exam and by September 1, 2010 for the July 2010 exam.

Forms

The first step of the Maryland application consists of the Application for Admission. Part one of the application is the Certificate of College (Pre-Legal) Education. Part two of the application is the Character Questionnaire, which must be notarized. The second step of the application consists of the Original Petition, which certifies that the applicant will graduate. The third part of the application consists of submitting a final transcript, which must be sent immediately after the bar exam.

Character and Fitness considerations

Note that the Board interviews all applicants.

Other application information

Maryland offers a laptop program to all interested applicants for a fee.

Essay answers must be written on one side of the page only and in ink.

Examinees may keep the essay questions but must return the MPT materials.

Results

The Board releases results in early May for the February exam, and in early November for the July exam. Note that the Board discloses scores to failing examinees only.

Affirmation

The Board includes with the exam results an affirmation form requiring disclosure of any changes to a candidate’s Character Questionnaire. Every examinee must return this form to the Board within 10 days of receipt even if no changes need be made to the report.

Professionalism course

Passing examinees are required to attend a professionalism course presented by the Maryland Bar Association prior to be being admitted. There is a fee for this course.

Licensing

Passing examinees must take an oath within 24 months of the exam. There is a fee for preparation of the bar admission certificate.

*All state bar exam information is subject to change without notice; please verify this information with the bar examiner’s office.*