What is the MEE?

In our last post we began to explore the specifics of the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), starting with the multiple-choice section of the UBE, the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). In this post we will move on to the essay portion of the UBE, the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE). The first day of the UBE includes the Multistate Performance Test (MPT)1More on this in our next post! in the morning session and the MEE in the afternoon session, so the MEE is the second section of the UBE that you will complete. The MEE is composed of six (6) essay questions that you must answer over three hours. Much like the MBE, the MEE can account for a different percentage of your total bar exam score depending on the state you are taking the bar exam, but most states count the MEE as 30% of your total bar exam score.2As of writing this post, all UBE states count the MEE as 30% of your total Bar Exam score.

The MEE may test from 13 areas of law. I use the word “may” because, unlike the MBE, you are not guaranteed to see any specific areas of law on the MEE. With some exceptions, each of the 6 questions tests a different area of law, so using basic math3Which is still pretty hard for me. But that’s why we all went to law school right? So we don’t have to do math. you can see that you will encounter about 6-8 of the 12 total areas of law. The possible MEE topics include all those tested on the MBE41-6 on the following list. and a few more. You may see: 

  1. Civil Procedure 
  2. Constitutional Law 
  3. Torts 
  4. Contracts 
  5. Criminal Law/Criminal Procedure5For the purposes of the MEE, Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure are counted as one topic.
  6. Evidence 
  7. Real Property
  8. Trusts & Estates 
  9. Corporations 
  10. Conflicts of Law 
  11. Family Law 
  12. Secured Transactions (UCC Article 9)

 

Concerned if you see something on that list that you have never heard about or did not learn while you were in law school? Don’t be. You will get a breakdown of all these areas of law in your Bar Prep course, so you can breathe easy again. However, it is good to know more about what the MEE covers and the subtopics included in each of these 12 areas so head over to the NCBE website to learn more.6General MEE Subject matter outline: https://ncbex.org/pdfviewer/?file=%2Fdmsdocument%2F227

Now to the timing aspect of the MEE. We previously noted that you will have 3 hours to complete6 essays, giving you 30 minutes per essay. Much like the MBE (and all aspects of the Bar Exam) you will have to time yourself because there will not be anyone there telling you that you are at the 30 minute limit for any particular essay. To prepare for exam day, you must be strict with your timing during practice, so when you do practice MEEs while you are studying make sure to time yourself with each essay. This repetition will help you develop a way to manage your time through reading, outlining, and answering an essay in 30 minutes.  Getting your timing down and knowing when it is time to move on to your next essay, no matter how much you want to stay on the same essay for more than 30 minutes, will be just as important as learning and knowing the law. 

And now you know everything there is to know about the MEE! Well, maybe not everything. I have to save SOMETHING for future posts. But you do know the basics of what to expect on the MEE. Follow the provided links for some more information on the MEE in general7More information on the MEE: https://ncbex.org/exams/mee/ and for the NCBE’s released MEE questions/answer outlines that you can use for further practice.8Released questions with answer points: https://ncbex.org/exams/mee/preparing/ Only one more section to discuss, then you will be a UBE master! 

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    Meet the Author
    Stephen Iannacone is Director of Academic Success at Cardozo School of Law and a Bar Exam Coach at Vinco. Prior to joining Cardozo School of Law, Stephen was a trial attorney at the law firm of Spiegel & Barbato, LLP. He specialized in civil litigation in all New York venues and argued several appeals in the First Department. He was also an adjunct professor at Pace Law School where he taught classes to third-year students preparing for the Bar Exam as well as classes to second-year students focusing on legal writing and analysis. Read more about Stephen >