UPDATE: Waivers are permitted, you may use your old MBE score for the February 2015 bar exam.
There is a considerable amount of concern around the DC Bar Exam for this February as Federal Civil Procedure is being added to the MBE for the first time as a 7th subject. The primary area of concern is around test takers who have previously (within 2 years) taken a bar exam and scored a 133 or higher on the MBE. Normally, DC allows these folks to waive in their score and not take the MBE, allowing them to take only the essay day. However, the Committee on Admissions Rules state that if the subjects on the MBE change then this does not have to be permitted. The DC Committee on Admissions has previously stated that they are only observing the 2 year rule and waivers would be permitted for this February. However, after speaking in detail with the office they have not yet finalized their official position for this Feb 2015. They have indicated they will do so by the first week of January. The best thing to do now if you were planning on waiving in your MBE score is to apply for the exam and fill out the forms to waive in your MBE score as if nothing has changed. If the committee changes its mind and does not allow waivers for anyone this time, you will be notified during the first week of January (or thereabouts) and will need to send in payment for the MBE and take the entire exam in February.
As for study preparation, this is a very individual decision. If you have previously scored a 133 or higher, you may be able to put off studying for the MBE until we know officially from the Committee on Admissions whether or not waivers will be allowed. However, if you barely got a 133 and are not as comfortable in your MBE abilities, you will probably want to hedge your bets and start studying for the MBE at the same time as you begin studying for the essays. The good news is MBE subjects are tested on the MEE (Essays) so you are not completely wasting your time if the waivers end up being allowed.
I will post more here as I hear from the Committee. I know this is a frustrating situation for anyone who was considering only taking the essay day in February but we have to wait until the committee gives its official position.
12 replies on “DC Bar Exam for February 2015 MBE changes and waiving in your old MBE score”
always appreciate your efforts. I hope waivers would be permitted…
Do you know the location of the Feb. 2015 D.C. bar exam?
Location is unknown as of yet, they will probably announce towards the end of the month. Hoping for the UDC location again.
Waivers are being accepted, you do not need to retake the MBE if you have taken it within 25 months and have a score of 133 or higher.
Feb 2015 exam will be at the Convention Center.
Question: So if I’m taking the VA Bar exam (1st time) in July 2015, then no chance anymore of waiving into to DC with my MBE henceforth? I will have to take it again if I wish to get licensed in DC?
No, quite the opposite. If you are taking for the first time this July 2015 then nothing has changed, you can still waive into DC as usual.
Ok, great. Thanks a lot for your answer!
Hi, I know this is an old thread, but I am desperate to get some help on this. I want to waive into DC with my MBE from Kansas, where I am admitted to practice law. I took the bar exam there in July 2014. If I want to waive in to DC without examination, is my score only good for 25 months like if I was taking the DC bar exam and applying my MBE score? Or is my score still going to be good for purposes of waiving in in month 26?
My understanding is that if you passed another bar and want to waive in it will not expire. It only expires if you are planing to take the DC exam and opt out of the MBE portion.
Does anyone know where the July 2015 bar exam will be?
It will be at UDC.