All Announcements
NCBE Statement on How Questions Are Written for the Bar Exam
NCBE
has released the following statement regarding the timeline by which new US
Supreme Court decisions might be reflected on the bar exam: NCBE-developed MBE,
MPT, and MEE questions typically are drafted, revised, and finalized over an
approximately three-year period, including pre-testing of MBE items on a live
exam prior to administration as scored items. For more information, see:
- How Are Questions Written for NCBE’s Exams? Part One: Two Multiple-Choice Question Drafters Share the Process
- How Are Questions Written for NCBE’s Exams? Part Two: Two Written-Component Question Drafters Share the Process
NCBE has added a FAQ to our website that we hope will be helpful: NCBE Statement on SCOTUS Decisions and the Bar Exam - NCBE (ncbex.org)
Minimum UBE Passing Score
UBE Passing Score: 270 for Winter 2023
In April 2022, the WA Supreme Court temporarily modified APR 4(d)(1) via order No. 25700-B-683 to allow for a UBE minimum passing sore of 266 and indicated that the order was in effect until the Court’s emergency order No. 25700-B-658 was lifted. On October 27, 2022, the Court issued order No. 25700-B-697 that supersedes and acts to lift its emergency order No. 25700-B-658, effective October 31, 2022. As a result, the minimum UBE passing score is restored to 270, as provided in APR 4(d)(1).
Exam Health Safety Plan for Winter 2023
The Court approved the Exam Health Safety Plan for the upcoming winter 2023 bar exam and limited practice officer exam. The plan requires all examinees to wear masks at the exam sites.
Decision to Sunset the LLLT Program
On April 21, 2022, the LLLT Board asked the Supreme Court to extend the deadline for LLLT applicants that passed the LLLT exam to complete the preadmission requirements from July 31, 2022 to July 31, 2023.
On June 9, 2022, the Supreme Court entered an order adopting the amendments requested by the LLLT Board. This extension would apply to the pre-admission requirements in Rule 5(e) of the Admission and Practice Rules, including the requirements to (1) complete 1500 hours of substantive law-related work experience, and (2) present proof of passing a LLLT Board approved paralegal examination. If you have any questions, please email LLLT@wsba.org.