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Washington State Bar Exam Format
Overview
Washington State has adopted the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (“NextGen UBE”). The NextGen UBE is a fully computer-based exam administered over one and a half days, totaling nine hours of testing across three sections.
Exam Structure
The NextGen UBE consists of three 3-hour sections: two on Tuesday (morning and afternoon) and one on Wednesday (morning). Each section contains the following:
- 40 standalone multiple-choice questions (estimated time: 72 minutes)
- 2 integrated question sets (estimated time: 48 minutes)
- 1 performance task (estimated time: 60 minutes)
Question Types
Standalone Multiple-Choice Questions: These include select-one (choose 1 of 4 options) and select-two (choose 2 of 6 options) formats. There are 120 total across the exam, and they make up 49% of the total score.
Integrated Question Sets: These are sets of questions based on a common fact scenario. They come in two formats: drafting sets (medium-answer written responses) and counseling sets (a mix of multiple-choice and short-answer questions). There are 6 total across the exam, making up 21% of the total score.
Performance Tasks: These require you to complete realistic lawyering tasks using provided case files and legal resources. They come in two formats: standard performance tasks (a longer writing assignment) and legal research performance tasks (multiple-choice, short-answer, and medium-answer questions). There are 3 total across the exam, making up 30% of the total score.
Washington State Bar Exam Format Video
Useful Links
- Washington State Bar Review Course – AmeriBar has been helping students pass the Washington State bar exam for over 15 years.
Reciprocity
If you are admitted to practice law in a United States jurisdiction, then you do not have to take the Washington bar exam if you qualify for admission by motion in Washington. You can apply for admission by motion based in part upon your UBE score of least 270 transferred from another jurisdiction within 40 months from when you took that UBE
Washington State Next Gen Status
Adopted Next Gen Uniform Bar Exam? Yes
Date of First Next Gen Exam: July 2026
Exam Dates
- July 28-29, 2026
- February 23-24, 2027
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Washington State Bar Admissions
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Seattle, WA 98101-2539
Washington State MPRE Score Requirement
Washington State requires bar exam applicants to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (“MPRE”). You must score 85 or higher on the MPRE in order to pass in Washington State.
Scoring/Grading and Results
NextGen UBE scores are reported as a single number on a scale from 500 to 750. In order to pass the Washington State bar exam, you must score at least 610. The scores of the exam components are weighted as follows: Standalone Multiple-Choice Questions 49%, Integrated Question Sets 21%, and Performance Tasks 30%. Multiple-choice questions are scored by the NCBE; written responses are graded by Washington State-appointed graders using uniform grading rubrics.
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