Students studying for the multistate professional responsibility examination, or MPRE, typically prepare by studying previous exams, purchasing MPRE review books, and enrolling in in-person or online review courses. MPRE practice can be done in a variety of ways. To improve their chances of passing, most students use a combination of different study techniques.
Any attorney at law must have a firm grasp on professional responsibility and ethical conduct. Every state in the United States has laws and regulations requiring lawyers to act ethically. Most aspiring lawyers took an ethics or professional responsibility course in law school, but coursework alone does not always suffice to prepare students for success on the MPRE.
Lawyer training differs from law student training in most cases. To pass the MPRE, a student must understand not only the underlying ethics laws and issues, but also the skills and strategies required to pass the test. Understanding the test format and common question patterns is a big part of MPRE prep.
Working through sample exams is the most common MPRE preparation method. The National Conference of Bar Examiners typically sells practice exams and exams from previous years (NCBE). The MPRE and other related standardized tests, such as the multistate bar exam, are administered by the NCBE, a private organization. Furthermore, the NCBE publishes an annual MPRE study guide, which many students find helpful.
MPRE practice can also be found in the form of commercial study guides. Self-disciplined students can benefit from books, flashcards, and simulated exams, which are widely available. The majority of the time, these types of study guides combine exam tips and advice with actual practice problems.
Preparation courses can also be a good way to get some MPRE practice. These courses are usually condensed into an afternoon or weekend, allowing students to study for the state bar exam while taking them. They’re also frequently available online, usually for free or at a low cost. Online courses typically provide more scheduling flexibility than in-person courses, but they may not be as comprehensive.
Although the MPRE is usually administered in conjunction with individual state bar examinations, its content is rarely covered in bar review courses. This is due in large part to the fact that the MPRE is a national exam that is scored independently of state bar exams. If a student fails only the MPRE, he or she will only have to retake the MPRE and not the entire bar exam. It’s also true in reverse. Additional MPRE practice courses may be offered by bar prep courses, but they are usually billed and conducted separately.