West Virginia Bar Exam: A Basic Guide

The West Virginia Bar Exam is made up of three different tests. It includes a multiple choice section, an essay sections, and a performance test section. To prepare for all three of these exams you will need to review both federal and state laws and legal procedures. It is especially important that you review and practive your legal writing skills if you intend to do well on this exam. This article will provide you with a lot of information about preparing for the West Virginia Bar Exam including how to qualify to sit for this exam, how to register, how to study, and where to find free study materials.

QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for the West Virginia Bar Exam you only need to meet a few requirements. The first qualification is that the candidate has a law degree from an ABA approved law school. The second qualification is that the candidate be of good moral character. To meet this requirement you will need to undergo a criminal and financial background check. The final qualification is that the candidate takes the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, and passes it with a score of at least 75 points.

REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM

To register to sit for the West Virginia Bar Exam you will need to download, print out, complete, and submit an application package. These can be found on the West Virginia Board of Law Examiners’ website.

Board of Law Examiners
910 Quarrier Street, Suite 212
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
(304) 558-7815 local phone number
http://www.state.wv.us/wvsca/Bd%20of%20Law/covercss.htm

THE EXAM’S FORMAT

The West Virginia Bar Exam is a two day event that is given during the last week of February and during the last week of July. On the first day of the exam you will be given two Multistate Performance Test questions and six Multistate Essay Exam questions. On the second day of the West Virginia Bar Exam you will take the Multistate Bar Exam. This exam is made up of 200 multiple choice questions that deal with general legal issues that are applicable to all U.S. jurisdictions. To pass the West Virginia Bar Exam you will need to earn a score of at least 270 points.

WHAT TO STUDY

To prepare for the Multistate Performance Test study the following skills:

1. Sorting detailed factual materials into relevant and irrelevant information
2. Legal analysis
3. Application of legal knowledge to specific legal procedures
4. Handling ethical dilemmas
5. Written communication
6. Time management

To prepare for the Multistate Essay Exam study the following topics:

1. Agency and partnership
2. Commercial papers
3. Conflict of Laws
4. Corporations and Limited Liability Companies
5. Decedents’ Estates
6. Family Law
7. Federal Civil Procedure
8. Sales
9. Secured Transactions
10. Trusts and Future Interests

For a study materials please check out the following links:

1. West Virginia Legal Code located at http://www.romingerlegal.com/state/westvirginia.html
2. Uniform Commercial Code located at http://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/ucc.table.html
3. You can request sample MEE essay questions by writing to: National Conference of Bar Examiners, 402 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703-3614

To prepare for the West Virginia Bar Exam you will also need to study for the Multistate Bar Exam. This exam will be made up of 200 multiple choice questions that cover the following topics as they are generally applied throughout the United States of America:

1. Constitutional Law
2. Contracts and Sales
3. Criminal Law and Procedures
4. Evidence
5. Real Property
6. Torts

If you would like a study guide for this section you can visit the NCBE website at http://www.ncbex.org/.