200+ Free PA Bar Practice Questions

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A homeowner hires a roofer. The roofer's employee negligently drops a hammer, injuring a pedestrian below. Under respondeat superior, who is liable?

Only the roofer

The homeowner, the roofer, and the employee

Only the employee

The roofer and the employee, but not the homeowner

to track

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: PA Bar Exam

270

Minimum UBE Passing Score

Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners (Feb 2024+)

200

MBE Questions (Day 2)

NCBE / Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners

6 MEE + 2 MPT

Written Components (Day 1)

Uniform Bar Examination (NCBE)

50% / 50%

Written / MBE Weight

Uniform Bar Examination scoring

$750

Base Application Fee

Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners (2026)

100+

Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep question bank

The Pennsylvania Bar Exam is the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), adopted July 2022, requiring a minimum scaled score of 270. Day 1 (written, 50% of score): 6 Multistate Essay Examination essays plus 2 Multistate Performance Test tasks. Day 2 (MBE, 50% of score): 200 multiple-choice questions in two 3-hour sessions. The MBE covers 7 subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. The MEE adds Business Associations; effective July 2026 the NCBE removed Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts & Estates, and Secured Transactions from the MEE. The base application fee is $750, and a qualifying UBE score transfers to other UBE jurisdictions.

Sample PA Bar Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your PA 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 who is a citizen of New Jersey sues a defendant who is a citizen of Pennsylvania in federal court, asserting only a state-law negligence claim and alleging $50,000 in damages. The defendant moves to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. How should the court rule?

A.Grant the motion, because the amount in controversy does not exceed $75,000

B.Deny the motion, because the parties are completely diverse

C.Deny the motion, because a federal question is presented

D.Grant the motion, because both parties must be diverse from one another and from the forum state

Explanation: Diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332 requires both complete diversity and an amount in controversy that exceeds $75,000. Although the New Jersey plaintiff and Pennsylvania defendant are completely diverse, the $50,000 demand falls short of the jurisdictional threshold, so the court must dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.

2In Pennsylvania state court, a plaintiff's personal-injury claim is about to be barred by the statute of limitations, but the plaintiff has not yet drafted a complaint. What filing may the plaintiff make to commence the action and toll the limitations period?

A.A notice of intent to litigate served on the defendant

B.A motion for leave to file a late complaint

C.A praecipe for a writ of summons filed with the prothonotary

D.An entry of appearance by plaintiff's counsel

Explanation: Under Pa.R.Civ.P. 1007, a Pennsylvania civil action may be commenced by filing either a praecipe for a writ of summons or a complaint. The praecipe is a one-page request that locks in the filing date and tolls the statute of limitations without requiring the plaintiff to plead the claim yet, provided the plaintiff then makes a good-faith effort to effect service (Lamp v. Heyman; McCreesh v. City of Philadelphia).

3A defendant properly removes a case from state court to federal district court based on diversity. The plaintiff believes removal was improper because one defendant is a citizen of the forum state. Within what period must the plaintiff move to remand on this ground?

A.Any time before final judgment

B.Within 14 days after the answer is filed

C.Within 1 year after the action was commenced

D.Within 30 days after the notice of removal is filed

Explanation: Under 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c), a motion to remand on the basis of any defect other than lack of subject-matter jurisdiction — including violation of the forum-defendant rule of § 1441(b)(2) — must be made within 30 days after the filing of the notice of removal. Only a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction may be raised at any time before final judgment.

4A federal court sitting in diversity must decide whether to apply a state statute of limitations or a conflicting federal common-law limitations rule. Under the Erie doctrine and Guaranty Trust Co. v. York, which law governs?

A.Federal common law, because limitations periods are procedural

B.The state statute of limitations, because it is outcome-determinative

C.Whichever rule the court finds more efficient

D.Federal law, because the court sits in a federal forum

Explanation: Under Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins and Guaranty Trust Co. v. York, a federal court sitting in diversity applies state substantive law, and the outcome-determinative test treats statutes of limitations as substantive because applying a different limitations period would significantly affect the outcome and encourage forum shopping. The state limitations period therefore governs.

5A corporation is incorporated in Delaware, has its headquarters and principal executive offices in Pennsylvania, and conducts manufacturing in Ohio. For purposes of diversity jurisdiction, of which state(s) is the corporation a citizen?

A.Delaware only

B.Pennsylvania only

C.Delaware and Pennsylvania

D.Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Ohio

Explanation: Under 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1), a corporation is a citizen of both its state of incorporation and the state where it has its principal place of business. Under Hertz Corp. v. Friend, the principal place of business is the corporate 'nerve center' — typically the headquarters where high-level decisions are made. The corporation is therefore a citizen of Delaware and Pennsylvania.

6A plaintiff sues a defendant in federal court and seeks to add a related state-law claim against the same defendant that arises from the same transaction but lacks an independent basis for federal jurisdiction. What doctrine permits the court to hear the additional claim?

A.Supplemental jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1367

B.Pendent appellate jurisdiction

C.Ancillary venue

D.Removal jurisdiction

Explanation: Under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a), a federal court with original jurisdiction over a claim has supplemental jurisdiction over other claims that form part of the same case or controversy under Article III — that is, claims arising from a common nucleus of operative fact (United Mine Workers v. Gibbs). The same-transaction state claim qualifies.

7A defendant moves to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction. The defendant, a resident of California, was served while voluntarily present in Pennsylvania for a weekend visit unrelated to the lawsuit. Is the Pennsylvania court's exercise of jurisdiction proper?

A.No, because the visit was unrelated to the cause of action

B.Yes, because in-state personal service on a physically present defendant confers jurisdiction

C.No, because the defendant lacks minimum contacts with Pennsylvania

D.Yes, but only if the defendant consented in writing

Explanation: Under Burnham v. Superior Court, transient (or 'tag') jurisdiction based on personal service of process while the defendant is voluntarily physically present in the forum state is constitutionally sufficient, even if the claim is unrelated to the visit. This traditional basis for general jurisdiction does not require a minimum-contacts analysis.

8After a federal jury returns a verdict for the plaintiff, the defendant believes no reasonable jury could have found in the plaintiff's favor. The defendant had moved for judgment as a matter of law at the close of evidence, which was denied. What is the defendant's proper post-verdict motion?

A.A motion for a new trial only

B.A motion for relief from judgment under Rule 60(b)

C.A motion to amend the pleadings to conform to the evidence

D.A renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law under Rule 50(b)

Explanation: Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50(b), a party who moved for judgment as a matter of law before the case was submitted to the jury may renew that motion within 28 days after entry of judgment. The pre-verdict Rule 50(a) motion is a prerequisite to the renewed Rule 50(b) motion.

9A plaintiff files a federal complaint that states the facts but fails to identify the specific legal theory. The defendant moves to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6). Under the Twombly/Iqbal standard, what must the complaint contain to survive dismissal?

A.Detailed evidentiary facts proving each element

B.Nothing more than a bare recitation of the elements of the claim

C.A precise citation to the statute or common-law rule relied upon

D.Enough factual matter to state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face

Explanation: Under Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly and Ashcroft v. Iqbal, a complaint must plead enough factual content to state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face, allowing the court to draw a reasonable inference of liability. Threadbare recitals of elements supported by conclusory statements are insufficient.

10A plaintiff sued a defendant for breach of contract and lost on the merits after a full trial. The plaintiff now files a second suit against the same defendant asserting fraud arising from the very same transaction, a theory the plaintiff could have raised in the first suit. The defendant raises claim preclusion. How should the court rule?

A.The second suit may proceed because fraud is a different theory

B.The second suit is barred because it arises from the same transaction and could have been litigated

C.The second suit is barred only if fraud was actually litigated in the first suit

D.Claim preclusion never bars a claim asserting a different element of damages

Explanation: Claim preclusion (res judicata) bars relitigation of claims that were or could have been raised in a prior action that ended in a valid final judgment on the merits between the same parties, where the claims arise from the same transaction or occurrence. Because the fraud claim arose from the same transaction and could have been brought, it is barred.

About the PA Bar Exam

The Pennsylvania Bar Examination is the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which Pennsylvania adopted beginning July 2022. It is a two-day exam: Day 1 consists of the Multistate Essay Examination (6 essays) and the Multistate Performance Test (2 tasks), and Day 2 consists of the 200-question Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). The written portion (MEE + MPT) and the MBE are each weighted 50% of the scaled UBE score. The minimum qualifying score in Pennsylvania is 270, and a qualifying score can be transferred to other UBE jurisdictions. Pennsylvania has announced it will transition to the NextGen UBE in July 2028.

Questions

200 scored questions

Time Limit

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

Passing Score

270 (UBE scaled score)

Exam Fee

$750 base application fee (Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners)

PA Bar Exam Content Outline

50%

MBE Subjects (Day 2)

The 200-question Multistate Bar Examination covers Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts (including UCC Article 2), Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence (Federal Rules), Real Property, and Torts — each weighted equally on the MBE

12%

Civil Procedure & Contracts (MEE)

Federal civil procedure (diversity, Erie, joinder, preclusion), UCC Article 2 sales, and contract formation, defenses, and remedies tested in MEE essays

10%

Business Associations (MEE)

Agency, partnership (RUPA), and corporations and LLCs — formation, fiduciary duties of directors and officers, derivative actions, and partner liability

10%

Real Property & Torts (MEE)

Estates and future interests, recording acts, easements, landlord-tenant, mortgages, negligence, strict liability, and defamation

Evidence, Constitutional Law & Criminal (MEE)

Federal Rules of Evidence (hearsay, character, privileges, Confrontation Clause), constitutional law, and criminal law and procedure in MEE essays

Pennsylvania Distinctions

PA PEF Code intestacy and elective share (20 Pa.C.S.), PA Divorce Code and equitable distribution (23 Pa.C.S.), PA civil procedure (commencement by praecipe for writ of summons, 51% comparative negligence)

MPT Skills Tasks

Two 90-minute closed-universe Multistate Performance Test tasks: objective memos, persuasive briefs, client letters, and other practice-ready drafting from a provided file and library

How to Pass the PA Bar Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 270 (UBE scaled score)
Exam length: 200 questions
Time limit: 2 days (Day 1: 6 MEE essays + 2 MPTs; Day 2: 200 MBE)
Exam fee: $750 base application 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

PA Bar Study Tips from Top Performers

1Treat the MBE as half your score: complete at least 1,500-2,000 timed MBE questions across all seven subjects and review every wrong answer until you understand the governing rule (e.g., Erie, Twombly/Iqbal, the perfect-tender rule, FRE 403, Crawford)

2For the MEE, master Business Associations alongside the seven MBE subjects — agency authority, partner liability under RUPA, directors' duties of care and loyalty, and the demand requirement for derivative suits are recurring essay themes

3Note the July 2026 MEE change: Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts & Estates, and Secured Transactions were removed from the MEE, so prioritize your essay study on the remaining tested subjects

4Learn the high-yield Pennsylvania distinctions for essays: the PEF Code intestate spousal share (first $30,000 plus one-half) and one-third elective share (20 Pa.C.S. 2203), modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar (42 Pa.C.S. 7102), and commencement of a PA action by praecipe for a writ of summons (Pa.R.C.P. 1007)

5Practice both MPT task types under the 90-minute limit — objective memos and persuasive documents — using only the provided file and library; the MPT rewards organization and following instructions, not outside knowledge

6Build two-day stamina with full timed simulations: a Day-1 morning MEE block, an afternoon MPT block, and a separate Day-2 200-question MBE day so test day feels routine

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the Pennsylvania Bar Exam?

Pennsylvania requires a minimum scaled UBE score of 270 to pass. This is the combined Uniform Bar Examination score across the MBE (50%) and the written components — MEE essays and MPT tasks (50%). Pennsylvania lowered its passing score from 272 to 270 effective with the February 2024 administration. A qualifying UBE score of 270 or higher earned in Pennsylvania can be transferred to other UBE jurisdictions.

How is the Pennsylvania Bar Exam structured?

Pennsylvania administers the Uniform Bar Examination over two days. Day 1 consists of the Multistate Essay Examination (6 essay questions) and the Multistate Performance Test (2 skills tasks). Day 2 consists of the Multistate Bar Examination: 200 multiple-choice questions in two 3-hour sessions of 100 questions each. The written portion and the MBE are each weighted 50% of the scaled score.

What subjects are tested on the Pennsylvania Bar Exam?

The MBE tests seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. The MEE tests those subjects plus Business Associations (agency, partnership, corporations, and LLCs). Effective with the July 2026 administration, the NCBE removed Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts & Estates, and Secured Transactions from the MEE, narrowing the tested subjects.

How much does the Pennsylvania Bar Exam cost?

The base application fee for the Pennsylvania Bar Examination is $750 if you apply by the initial deadline, plus a $115 laptop fee. Late applications cost more: $1,075 by the second deadline and $1,400 by the final deadline, with a $165 laptop fee for late applicants. These fees are set by the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners and do not include separate commercial bar-prep courses.

Is the Pennsylvania UBE score transferable to other states?

Yes. Because Pennsylvania administers the Uniform Bar Examination, a qualifying scaled score (270 or higher) is portable to other UBE jurisdictions, subject to each jurisdiction's own minimum score and score-validity period. This portability is a major advantage of the UBE compared with state-specific bar exams, allowing graduates to seek admission in multiple states with one exam.

Is Pennsylvania switching to the NextGen bar exam?

Yes. Pennsylvania has adopted the NextGen UBE and announced that its first administration of the NextGen exam will be July 2028. The current (legacy) UBE will continue to be administered through February 2028. Pennsylvania began accepting transferred NextGen UBE scores starting July 2026 with a minimum NextGen score of 620, while continuing to accept legacy UBE scores of 270.

200+ Free PA Bar Practice Questions

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