Illinois Bar Exam Quick Facts
Administering Body: Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar
UBE State: Yes (adopted 2019)
Passing Score: 266 (out of 400)
Pass Rate (July 2025): 74% overall
MPRE Required: 80
Application Fee: $1,200-$1,875
Character & Fitness Fee: $450 additional
Score Transfer Window: 4 years
NextGen UBE From: February 2028
Sources: NCBE jurisdiction profile for Illinois; NCBE deadlines and fees chart; Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar. Checked 1 August 2026.
Illinois and the Uniform Bar Exam
Illinois adopted the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) in 2019, making it easier for attorneys to transfer scores from other UBE jurisdictions. This was a significant change for the state, which previously used its own bar examination format with Illinois-specific essay questions.
The UBE consists of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and Multistate Performance Test (MPT). Illinois requires a passing score of 266, which is slightly above average for UBE states but reflects Chicago's status as a major legal market.
Good news, and a longer window than most: if you have passed the UBE in another jurisdiction with a score of 266 or higher, you can transfer it to Illinois without retaking the exam. Illinois allows four years from the exam, which is longer than New York's three and gives you more room than most UBE states.
Illinois switches early. It is one of only four jurisdictions taking the NextGen UBE first in February 2028, alongside Delaware, the District of Columbia and Montana, rather than the July 2028 date most large states chose. The NextGen passing score is set at 620. Illinois has been accepting transferred NextGen scores since July 2026.
Sources: NCBE jurisdiction profile for Illinois; NCBE NextGen adoption chart. Checked 1 August 2026.
Illinois Bar Exam Format (UBE)
The Illinois bar exam follows the standard UBE format administered over two days.
Day 1: Written Portion
Morning Session - MEE (3 hours)
- 6 Multistate Essay Examination questions
- 30 minutes per essay
- Tests 12+ subjects (varies by exam)
Afternoon Session - MPT (3 hours)
- 2 Multistate Performance Test tasks
- 90 minutes per task
- Legal memos, briefs, client letters, etc.
Day 2: MBE
200 multiple choice questions over two 3-hour sessions (100 questions each). The MBE tests seven subjects: Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, Torts, and Civil Procedure.
How the Illinois Bar Exam Is Scored
Your Illinois/UBE score is calculated by combining three components:
MBE (50%)
200 multiple choice questions scaled to a 200-point scale
MEE (30%)
6 essays graded on a 1-6 scale, scaled to match MBE
MPT (20%)
2 performance tests graded on a 1-6 scale, scaled to match MBE
Passing Score: You need a combined scaled score of 266 out of 400 to pass in Illinois. This translates to roughly 66.5% overall performance.
Subjects Tested on the Illinois Bar
The UBE tests both MBE subjects and additional MEE subjects. You need to know all of these for maximum scoring potential.
MBE Subjects (7)
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
Additional MEE Subjects
- Business Associations
- Conflict of Laws
- Family Law
- Secured Transactions (UCC Art. 9)
- Trusts & Estates
Illinois Bar Exam Pass Rates
Illinois has consistently strong pass rates. 2,268 candidates sat the July 2025 exam and 74% passed, which is well above the national picture and above every other large jurisdiction covered on this site except Texas.
| July 2025 | Figure |
|---|---|
| Overall pass rate | 74% |
| Candidates examined | 2,268 |
Source: NCBE bar exam results by jurisdiction, July 2025. Checked 1 August 2026.
For a breakdown by law school and by first-time versus repeat taker, the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar publishes its own statistics for each administration.
UBE Score Transfer to Illinois
Illinois accepts UBE score transfers from other jurisdictions, making it easier to gain admission without retaking the bar exam.
Requirements for Score Transfer:
- UBE score of 266 or higher
- Score achieved within 3 years of Illinois application
- Completion of Illinois MCLE (Minimum Continuing Legal Education)
- Pass character and fitness evaluation
- Complete any Illinois-specific requirements
Note: Illinois does not require an Illinois-specific law component (unlike some UBE states). Once you transfer your score and pass character and fitness, you're admitted.
Illinois Bar Exam Study Strategies
1. Focus on the MBE
The MBE accounts for 50% of your UBE score. Aim to complete 2,000+ practice questions during your preparation. A strong MBE score can compensate for weaker essay performance.
2. Don't Neglect MEE Subjects
The 5 MEE-only subjects (Business Associations, Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Secured Transactions, Trusts & Estates) appear frequently on essays. Many students under-prepare these areas.
3. Practice MPT Timing
The MPT tests your ability to complete practical legal tasks under time pressure. Practice with actual MPT questions from the NCBE and stick to the 90-minute limit per task.
4. Use a Structured Schedule
Most successful bar takers study 8-10 weeks full-time (400-500 hours total). Follow your bar prep course schedule and avoid the temptation to spend too long on subjects you enjoy while neglecting weaker areas.
5. Take Practice Exams
Complete at least 2-3 full practice exams under timed conditions before the real test. This builds stamina and helps identify time management issues before they matter.
The Chicago Legal Market
Major Law Firm Presence
Chicago is home to major BigLaw firms including Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, Baker McKenzie, and Latham & Watkins. It's the third-largest legal market in the U.S. after New York and Washington, D.C.
Practice Area Strengths
Chicago excels in corporate law, M&A, private equity, IP litigation, and derivatives/commodities law. The CME Group headquarters makes Chicago a hub for financial services legal work.
Salary Competitiveness
BigLaw firms in Chicago now match Cravath scale ($225,000 starting in 2024). Combined with lower cost of living than NYC, Chicago offers excellent purchasing power for attorneys.
Work-Life Balance
Chicago has a reputation for slightly better work-life balance than New York, with comparable pay and lower housing costs. Many attorneys choose Chicago specifically for quality of life.
Top Illinois Law Schools
University of Chicago Law School
T6 law school, 95%+ bar pass rate, highest clerkship placement
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
T14 law school, strong corporate law placement, 93% bar pass rate
University of Illinois College of Law
Excellent value, strong state government/in-state placement
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Health law specialty, strong Chicago market employment
Chicago-Kent College of Law (IIT)
IP/patent law specialty, part-time program available
Illinois Bar Exam Timeline
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