New Jersey Bar Exam: A Basic Guide
The New Jersey Bar Exam has recently changed its format. In the past New Jersey Bar Candidates had to take a state essay test, the Multistate Performance Test, and the Multistate Bar Exam. Now the MPT has been eliminated from the New Jersey Bar Exam. This will reduce the amount of information that you will need to study for, however, it is still a good idea to still go over state and federal legal procedures as they may be covered in the MBE or the essay section of the exam. With this information in mind, read through the rest of this article for information about how to prepare for the New Jersey Bar Exam.
QUALIFICATIONS
There are just a few requirements to sit for the New Jersey Bar Exam. The first requirement is that you must be at least 18 years of age. The second requirement is that you have a JD or LLB from an ABA approved law school. You also must also take the MPRE and pass it with a score of at least 75.
REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM
To register to sit for the New Jersey Bar Exam you will need to download, print out, complete, and submit an application package. These can be found on the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners’ website.
Board of Bar Examiners
25 Market Street
8th Floor – North Wing CN-973
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
(609) 984-7783 Local Telephone Number
http://www.njbarexams.org
THE EXAM’S FORMAT
The New Jersey Bar Exam is a two day exam that is held during the last week of February and during the last week of July. On the first day of the New Jersey Bar Exam you will be given the Multistate Bar Exam. This section of the test is made up of 200 multiple choice questions. On the second day of the New Jersey Bar Exam you will be given seven essay questions. The Multistate Performance Test is no longer given in New Jersey.
WHAT TO STUDY
To prepare for the New Jersey Bar Exam Essay you should review the following topics:
1. Constitutional Law
2. Evidence
3. Contracts
4. Criminal Law and Procedure
5. Real Property
6. Torts
7. Remedies
8. Community Property
9. Conflict of Laws
10. Persons and Domestic Relations
11. Corporations
12. Agency and Partnership
13. Wills, Estates, and Trusts
14. Uniform Commercial Code
15. New Jersey Rules of Civil Procedure
16. Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
For a study materials please check out the following links:
1. New Jersey Rules of Civil Procedures located at http://www.megalaw.com/nj/top/njcivpro.php
2. New Jersey Rules of Criminal Procedures located at http://www.njlawnet.com/crimes.html
3. New Jersey Codes located at http://law-library.rutgers.edu/ilg/njlaw.php
4. Uniform Commercial Code located at http://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/ucc.table.html
5. You can request sample MEE essay questions by writing to: National Conference of Bar Examiners, 402 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703-3614
6. You can download past essay questions and answers at http://www.njbarexams.org/exam/oldexams.htm
To prepare for the New Jersey Bar Exam you will need to study for the Multistate Bar Exam. This exam will be made up of 200 multiple choice questions that cover the following topics as they are generally applied throughout the United States of America:
1. Constitutional Law
2. Contracts and Sales
3. Criminal Law and Procedures
4. Evidence
5. Real Property
6. Torts
If you would like a study guide for this section you can visit the NCBE website at http://www.ncbex.org/.
