PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

200+ Free IL Bar Practice Questions

Pass your Illinois Bar Examination exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
~75-85% Pass Rate
200+ Questions
100% Free
1 / 200
Question 1
Score: 0/0

A defendant is tried and acquitted of murder. The prosecution then seeks to try the defendant for manslaughter based on the same killing. This second prosecution is:

A
B
C
D
to track
Same family resources

Explore More State Bar Exams

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

California Bar Exam

Practice QuestionsStudy GuideFlashcards2 videos2 blogs

Alabama Bar Exam

Practice Questions1 blog

Alaska Bar Exam

Practice Questions1 blog

Arizona Bar Exam

Practice Questions1 blog

Arkansas Bar Exam

Practice Questions1 blog

California First-Year Law Students' Exam (Baby Bar)

Practice Questions1 blog

More From This Family

Videos and articles for deeper review.

Video10 California Bar Exam Mistakes That Cause 60% of Failures (And How to Avoid Them in 2026)VideoCalifornia Bar Exam 2026: 40-50% Pass Rate GuideArticleUniform Bar Examination UBE Exam Guide 2026: Free Bar Exam Prep11 min readArticleFREE Florida Bar Exam Guide 2026: Part A + MBE, Scoring, Pass Rates & Study Plan16 min readArticleCalifornia Bar Exam 2026: 40-50% Pass Rate Guide15 min readArticle10 California Bar Exam Mistakes That Cause 60% of Failures (And How to Avoid Them in 2026)17 min read
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: IL Bar Exam

266/400

Minimum Passing Score (UBE)

Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar

50% / 30% / 20%

MBE / MEE / MPT Weighting

Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar

200

MBE Multiple-Choice Questions

NCBE Multistate Bar Examination

July 2019

Year Illinois Adopted the UBE

Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar

$1,200

Timely Application Fee (2026)

Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar

100+

Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep question bank

The Illinois Bar Exam is the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), requiring a combined scaled score of 266 out of 400. Day 1 (written): six 30-minute MEE essays in the morning and two 90-minute MPT performance tasks in the afternoon. Day 2 (MBE): 200 multiple-choice questions in two 3-hour sessions. The MBE counts 50%, the MEE 30%, and the MPT 20%. MEE subjects add Business Associations, Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts & Estates, and Secured Transactions (UCC-9) to the seven MBE subjects. Illinois adopted the UBE in July 2019 and will switch to the NextGen Bar Exam in February 2028.

Sample IL Bar Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your IL Bar exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A plaintiff files a federal diversity action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The federal court must apply state substantive law but federal procedural law. Which case established this fundamental framework?
A.Pennoyer v. Neff
B.Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins
C.International Shoe Co. v. Washington
D.Hanna v. Plumer
Explanation: Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins (1938) held that a federal court sitting in diversity must apply the substantive law of the state in which it sits (there is no federal general common law), while applying federal procedural rules. This is the cornerstone of the Erie doctrine tested heavily in MBE Civil Procedure.
2An Illinois corporation sues a Wisconsin defendant in federal court in Illinois for a state-law breach of contract. The amount in controversy is $80,000. May the federal court hear the case under diversity jurisdiction?
A.No, because the amount in controversy does not exceed $75,000
B.No, because both parties must be from different states than the forum
C.Yes, because there is complete diversity and the amount exceeds $75,000
D.Yes, but only if the contract was formed in Illinois
Explanation: Under 28 U.S.C. § 1332, diversity jurisdiction requires complete diversity of citizenship and an amount in controversy exceeding $75,000. An Illinois plaintiff and a Wisconsin defendant are completely diverse, and $80,000 exceeds the threshold, so jurisdiction is proper.
3A defendant from Florida has never been to Illinois but operates an interactive website through which he knowingly sold a defective product to an Illinois resident, causing injury in Illinois. The Illinois resident sues in Illinois. Under the minimum-contacts analysis, is personal jurisdiction likely proper?
A.No, because the defendant has never physically entered Illinois
B.Yes, because Illinois has a legitimate interest in protecting all of its residents from any harm
C.No, because website operators can never be sued outside their home state
D.Yes, because the defendant purposefully availed himself of the Illinois market and the claim arises from that contact
Explanation: Under International Shoe and its progeny (including Burger King and J. McIntyre), specific personal jurisdiction exists where a defendant purposefully avails himself of the forum and the claim arises out of those contacts, provided jurisdiction is reasonable. Knowingly selling into Illinois and causing injury there satisfies purposeful availment.
4A plaintiff files a complaint in federal court. The defendant believes the complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Which motion should the defendant file?
A.A motion for summary judgment under Rule 56
B.A motion for a more definite statement under Rule 12(e)
C.A motion for judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c)
D.A motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6)
Explanation: Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), a defendant may move to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The court accepts well-pleaded facts as true and asks whether they state a plausible claim under Bell Atlantic v. Twombly and Ashcroft v. Iqbal.
5A plaintiff sues a defendant and loses on the merits after a full trial. The plaintiff then files a second suit against the same defendant asserting a different legal theory but arising from the same transaction. The defendant raises claim preclusion. How should the court rule?
A.The second suit may proceed because it asserts a new legal theory
B.The second suit is barred by res judicata because it arises from the same transaction and could have been raised in the first suit
C.The second suit is barred only if the plaintiff actually litigated the new theory before
D.The second suit may proceed because claim preclusion applies only to defendants
Explanation: Res judicata (claim preclusion) bars relitigation of claims that were or could have been raised between the same parties arising from the same transaction or occurrence, once there is a valid final judgment on the merits. A new legal theory from the same transaction is barred.
6In a federal civil action, a party seeks to add a new claim against an opposing party arising from the same transaction more than 21 days after serving its pleading and after a responsive pleading was filed. What is required to amend?
A.Amendment is automatic at any time before trial
B.The party must file an entirely new lawsuit
C.The party must obtain the opposing party's written consent or the court's leave, which should be freely given when justice so requires
D.Amendment is never permitted after a responsive pleading
Explanation: Under FRCP 15(a)(2), once the time for amendment as a matter of course has passed, a party may amend only with the opposing party's written consent or the court's leave, and leave should be freely given when justice so requires. Relation back under 15(c) may also apply.
7Congress enacts a statute regulating the sale of firearms that have moved in interstate commerce. A defendant challenges the statute as exceeding Congress's power. Under which constitutional provision is this regulation most likely valid?
A.The Commerce Clause
B.The Necessary and Proper Clause standing alone
C.The Tenth Amendment
D.The Privileges and Immunities Clause
Explanation: Under the Commerce Clause (Art. I, § 8), Congress may regulate the channels and instrumentalities of interstate commerce and activities substantially affecting interstate commerce. Goods that have moved in interstate commerce fall squarely within this power under cases like Wickard and Lopez's framework.
8A state law prohibits only members of a particular religion from holding public office. A challenger argues the law is unconstitutional. Which standard of review applies and what is the likely result?
A.Rational basis review; the law is upheld
B.Intermediate scrutiny; the law is upheld if substantially related to an important interest
C.Strict scrutiny; the law is struck down because religion is a suspect classification and a fundamental interest is burdened
D.The law is valid because states control their own officeholders
Explanation: Classifications based on religion are suspect and trigger strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause, and the law also violates the Free Exercise Clause and the Article VI ban on religious tests for office. The state cannot show a compelling interest narrowly tailored, so the law is struck down.
9A city ordinance bans all signs in residential neighborhoods, including political yard signs, to reduce visual clutter. A homeowner challenges the ban under the First Amendment. How should a court most likely rule?
A.The ban is valid as a reasonable time, place, and manner restriction
B.The ban is valid because signs are commercial speech entitled to less protection
C.The ban is valid because aesthetics is always a compelling interest
D.The ban is unconstitutional because it forecloses a unique and important medium of political speech
Explanation: Under City of Ladue v. Gilleo (1994), a ban on residential signs is unconstitutional because it forecloses a venerable and unique means of expression, especially core political speech, leaving inadequate alternative channels. Aesthetic interests cannot justify so broad a ban.
10A state enacts a tax that applies a higher rate to goods produced outside the state than to identical goods produced within the state. An out-of-state producer challenges the tax. Which doctrine most directly invalidates it?
A.The Ex Post Facto Clause
B.The Contracts Clause
C.The Dormant Commerce Clause, which bars discrimination against interstate commerce
D.The Supremacy Clause
Explanation: The Dormant (negative) Commerce Clause prohibits states from enacting laws that discriminate against interstate commerce in favor of in-state economic interests. A facially discriminatory tax is virtually per se invalid unless it serves a legitimate local purpose with no nondiscriminatory alternative.

About the IL Bar Exam

The Illinois Bar Examination is the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which Illinois adopted beginning July 2019. The two-day exam consists of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE, 200 multiple-choice questions, 50%), the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE, six 30-minute essays, 30%), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT, two 90-minute tasks, 20%). The components are scaled and combined to a 400-point score; 266 is required to pass. Because Illinois uses the UBE, qualifying scores are portable to and from other UBE jurisdictions. Illinois has announced it will transition to the NextGen Bar Exam beginning February 2028.

Questions

200 scored questions

Time Limit

2 days (Day 1: 6 MEE essays + 2 MPTs; Day 2: 200 MBE)

Passing Score

266/400 (UBE scaled score)

Exam Fee

$1,200 timely (+$120 laptop fee) (Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar)

IL Bar Exam Content Outline

50%

MBE Core Subjects

Civil Procedure (Erie, jurisdiction, FRCP), Constitutional Law, Contracts (common law and UCC Article 2), Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence (FRE), Real Property, and Torts — 200 multiple-choice questions worth 50% of the UBE score

30%

MEE Essays

Six 30-minute essays drawn from MBE subjects plus Business Associations (corporations, LLCs, agency, partnerships), Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts & Estates, and Secured Transactions (UCC Article 9)

20%

MPT Performance Tasks

Two 90-minute closed-universe tasks using a provided File and Library; tests practical lawyering skills such as drafting memos, briefs, and client letters rather than memorized law

Tested on MEE

Business Associations

Corporate fiduciary duties, interested-director safe harbors, derivative suits, veil piercing, controlling-shareholder duties, LLC management defaults, partnership liability, and agency authority

Tested on MEE

Conflict of Laws & Family Law

Choice of law (most significant relationship, § 187 clauses), full faith and credit, situs rule; marriage recognition, equitable distribution, custody (best interests), child support, and prenuptial agreements

Tested on MEE

Trusts & Estates and Secured Transactions

Will execution (two-witness Illinois rule), intestacy, elective share, ademption, prudent investor rule; UCC-9 attachment, perfection, PMSI priority, and default remedies

Illinois-specific

Illinois Distinctions

Modified comparative negligence (51% bar), fact-pleading standard, judicial mortgage foreclosure, Illinois Probate Act intestacy (1/2 to spouse), 20-year adverse possession, and the 2028 NextGen transition

How to Pass the IL Bar Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 266/400 (UBE scaled score)
  • Exam length: 200 questions
  • Time limit: 2 days (Day 1: 6 MEE essays + 2 MPTs; Day 2: 200 MBE)
  • Exam fee: $1,200 timely (+$120 laptop fee)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

IL Bar Study Tips from Top Performers

1Because the MBE is 50% of your score, complete 1,500+ MBE practice questions across all seven subjects — Civil Procedure and Evidence reward repeated drilling of the FRCP and FRE rule frameworks
2For the MEE, drill the six non-MBE-only subjects: Business Associations (interested-director safe harbor, derivative-suit demand, veil piercing), Conflict of Laws (most significant relationship), Family Law, Trusts & Estates, and Secured Transactions (UCC-9 attachment/perfection/priority/PMSI)
3Practice the MPT under a strict 90-minute clock — it is a closed-universe skills task, so the points come from organizing the File and applying the Library, not from outside law you memorized
4Learn the Illinois distinctions that overlap with essays: modified comparative negligence (51% bar under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116), fact pleading, judicial mortgage foreclosure, and the Illinois Probate Act's intestacy and two-witness will rules
5Write timed MEE answers in IRAC format; graders reward clear issue statements and correct rule recitation more than lengthy fact recaps, and each essay is only 30 minutes
6Memorize the UBE weighting (MBE 50%, MEE 30%, MPT 20%) and the 266 passing score so you can budget effort; a strong MBE can offset weaker essays and vice versa

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the Illinois Bar Exam?

Illinois requires a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) scaled score of 266 out of 400 to pass. The MBE counts for 50%, the MEE for 30%, and the MPT for 20%. Because Illinois uses the UBE, a qualifying 266+ score can be transferred to or from other UBE jurisdictions, subject to each state's time and minimum-score limits.

How is the Illinois Bar Exam structured?

The Illinois Bar Exam is the two-day UBE. Day 1 consists of six 30-minute Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) questions in the morning and two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test (MPT) tasks in the afternoon. Day 2 is the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE): 200 multiple-choice questions in two 3-hour sessions of 100 questions each.

What subjects are tested on the Illinois Bar Exam?

The MBE tests seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. The MEE essays can test those subjects plus Business Associations, Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts & Estates, and Secured Transactions (UCC Article 9). The MPT tests lawyering skills using provided materials, not memorized law.

How much does the Illinois Bar Exam cost in 2026?

The Illinois application fee for the July 2026 exam is $1,200 if filed by February 15, $1,475 if filed between February 16 and April 1, and $1,875 if filed between April 2 and 30. A laptop fee of about $120 applies for typing essays. These fees are set by the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar and do not include separate commercial bar-prep courses.

Is the Illinois Bar Exam score transferable to other states?

Yes. Illinois adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) beginning in July 2019, so a qualifying score is portable. An applicant who earns 266 or higher can transfer the score to other UBE jurisdictions, and applicants from other UBE states can transfer qualifying scores into Illinois, subject to Illinois's validity period and other admission requirements such as the MPRE and character and fitness.

Is Illinois changing to the NextGen Bar Exam?

Yes. The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar has announced that Illinois will administer the NCBE's redesigned NextGen Bar Exam for the first time in February 2028. Until then, Illinois continues to give the current (Legacy) UBE consisting of the MBE, MEE, and MPT. Effective July 2026, Illinois also accepts transferred passing scores earned on the NextGen UBE.