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Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam Practice Test

NCBE MPRE

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Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam Information

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), is a vital step on the path to becoming a licensed attorney in the United States. Although often overshadowed by the more comprehensive bar exam, the MPRE plays a role in ensuring that prospective lawyers understand the ethical and professional responsibilities associated with legal practice. Whether you’re a law student planning ahead or a candidate preparing to sit for the test, understanding the MPRE’s purpose, format, and significance can help demystify the process and enhance your readiness.

What Is the MPRE and Why Does It Matter?

The MPRE is designed to measure a candidate’s understanding of established standards related to a lawyer’s professional conduct. It is not a test of state-specific ethics rules but is based largely on the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct. These frameworks form the basis of legal ethics in nearly every U.S. jurisdiction, making the MPRE a universal assessment of a lawyer’s professional responsibility.

Most jurisdictions require a passing MPRE score as a prerequisite to sitting for the bar exam or gaining admission to the bar. Only Wisconsin and Puerto Rico currently waive this requirement, and California and Maryland have their own standards. Because professional ethics are at the heart of the legal profession—where client trust, judicial integrity, and fair representation are paramount—the MPRE ensures that all aspiring attorneys have a baseline understanding of these principles before practicing law.

Who Should Take the MPRE and When?

The MPRE is typically taken by law students after they have completed a course in Professional Responsibility, often during their second or third year of law school. While there are no formal prerequisites in terms of coursework, having a solid foundation in the ethical rules and legal standards that govern professional conduct is strongly recommended before sitting for the exam.

Each jurisdiction sets its own deadline for when the MPRE must be passed in relation to the bar exam, so timing is crucial. For many, taking the MPRE at least a year before the bar exam offers peace of mind and allows time to retake it if needed. Since it is offered three times per year—in March, August, and November—students have flexibility in scheduling the exam around their studies and internships.

MPRE Format and Structure

The MPRE consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, 50 of which are scored and 10 unscored pretest items used to evaluate future questions. Test takers have two hours to complete the exam, and it is administered digitally at Pearson VUE testing centers nationwide.

Questions cover a variety of ethical scenarios and may involve judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and law firm settings. The key topics tested include:

  • Regulation of the Legal Profession
  • Client-Lawyer Relationship
  • Conflicts of Interest
  • Competence, Legal Malpractice, and Civil Liability
  • Litigation and Other Advocacy Duties
  • Client Confidentiality
  • Judicial Conduct

While the questions are multiple-choice, they often involve nuanced fact patterns that test an individual’s judgment and ability to apply rules appropriately. For this reason, memorization of rules alone is not sufficient—understanding context and how rules interact is critical.

MPRE Scoring and Passing Requirements

MPRE scores range from 50 to 150, with the national median score typically falling around 100. Each jurisdiction sets its own passing score, usually between 75 and 86. For example, New York and California require a minimum passing score of 85, while some states require only 75.

Scores are scaled based on question difficulty, meaning that a raw score of correct answers is adjusted depending on the test version’s complexity. This ensures fairness across different administrations of the exam.

It’s important to note that jurisdictions generally require a candidate to achieve a passing MPRE score within a specific time frame relative to their bar application. Failing to meet this requirement can delay bar admission even if a candidate passes the bar exam itself.

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  • Free Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam Practice Test

  • 20 Questions
  • Unlimited
  • Regulation of the legal profession
    The client-lawyer relationship
    Client confidentiality
    Conflicts of interest
    Competence, legal malpractice, and other civil liability
    Litigation and other forms of advocacy
    Transactions and communications with persons other than clients
    Different roles of the lawyer
    Safekeeping funds and other property
    Communications about legal services
    Lawyers’ duties to the public and the legal system
    Judicial conduct

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Question 1 of 20

A lawyer previously advised a startup company in its initial funding round. Now, a competitor of that startup approaches the lawyer for representation in a similar funding matter. What should the lawyer do to determine if a conflict of interest exists?

  • Obtain written consent from the startup before representing the competitor.

  • Proceed with representing the competitor, as the previous client was a startup and the new client is a competitor.

  • Decline to represent the competitor after conducting further analysis.

  • Assess whether the prior relationship with the startup affects the ability to represent the competitor.

Question 2 of 20

Under the MRPC, when is a written client-lawyer contract required?

  • When the lawyer and client agree to a contingency fee arrangement.

  • When the representation involves a business transaction valued at $25,000 or more.

  • When the representation is expected to be completed within one year.

  • When the representation involves criminal defense.

Question 3 of 20

An attorney is retained by a client to manage a complex litigation case, with explicit instructions that all major legal strategies must be approved by the client. Believing it is in the client’s best interest, the attorney unilaterally decides to accept a settlement offer without consulting the client. Which of the following best describes the attorney’s decision-making authority in this situation?

  • The attorney exceeded their actual decision-making authority by settling without client approval.

  • The attorney acted within their apparent authority to settle the case.

  • The attorney demonstrated appropriate decision-making by acting in the client’s best interest.

  • The attorney did not have decision-making authority to settle, rendering the settlement void.

Question 4 of 20

Attorney Johnson is representing a client in negotiating a merger with a company in which Attorney Johnson owns a significant number of shares. What should Attorney Johnson do to comply with professional responsibility standards?

  • Disclose the financial interest once its necessary.

  • Consider terminating the representation to address the conflict of interest.

  • Continue representing the client while holding shares in the merging company.

  • Inform the client about his financial interest in the merging company and determine how to proceed with the representation.

Question 5 of 20

An attorney represents a client in a personal injury case and receives a significant referral fee from a medical provider for each client referred. Which of the following actions by the attorney most likely violates the rules regarding third-party compensation and influence?

  • Using the referral fee to reduce the attorney’s hourly rate.

  • Accepting the referral fee without the client's knowledge.

  • Refusing to accept the referral fee to avoid conflicts.

  • Disclosing the referral fee to the client.

Question 6 of 20

When a lawyer decides to end their representation of a client, what is the lawyer required to do?

  • Refund applicable fees paid by the client.

  • Obtain the client's permission before withdrawing from the case.

  • Provide an explanation for ending the representation.

  • Inform the client and take steps to protect the client's interests during the termination.

Question 7 of 20

Attorney Smith discovers that Attorney Jones has been consistently overbilling clients by adding exaggerated hours to their accounts. According to the MRPC, what should Attorney Smith do regarding this information?

  • Report the misconduct to the appropriate disciplinary authority.

  • Confront Attorney Jones privately and monitor the situation without reporting.

  • Inform the clients regarding Attorney Jones’s billing practices in an appropriate manner.

  • Choose not to address the overbilling if no clients raise concerns.

Question 8 of 20

Attorney Smith has been practicing environmental law for several years. Recently, there have been significant changes in environmental regulations and relevant case law. To maintain her professional competence, Smith should:

  • Continue handling cases without seeking additional training

  • Participate in professional development activities focused on recent advancements in environmental law

  • Delegate the interpretation of new regulations to a junior associate

  • Transfer new environmental cases to a colleague with more recent experience

Question 9 of 20

Jessica, an attorney handling a family law case, receives multiple emails from her client each day requesting updates and advice. Responding to every message is becoming time-consuming and is affecting her ability to manage the case effectively. According to professional responsibility rules, how should Jessica manage her communications with her client?

  • Limit communication to scheduled meetings and manage email responses outside of business hours appropriately.

  • Respond to client communications promptly to ensure the client feels supported.

  • Set reasonable boundaries for communication methods and frequency, ensuring the client is kept informed while managing the workload effectively.

  • Delegate some client communications to a junior associate to handle routine updates.

Question 10 of 20

Attorney Johnson is representing a client in a personal injury case against a construction company. Recently, Johnson invested in a third-party litigation funding company that provides financial backing to plaintiffs in similar personal injury cases, including those against construction companies. Which of the following actions is most appropriate for Attorney Johnson to take to comply with professional responsibility rules?

  • Seek permission from the court to disclose her investment while representing the client.

  • Consider not addressing the investment since it does not directly involve her current client’s case.

  • Sell her investment in the litigation funding company to address any potential conflicts of interest.

  • Inform her client about her investment in the litigation funding company and evaluate whether it affects her representation.

Question 11 of 20

A lawyer has been suspended from practicing law in State A for six months due to professional misconduct. During the suspension, the lawyer seeks admission to practice in State B, where they have never been disciplined. Which of the following restrictions most accurately applies to the lawyer's right to practice in State B?

  • The lawyer is allowed to practice in State B after the suspension period in State A has ended.

  • The lawyer is restricted from practicing in other states while suspended in State A.

  • The lawyer must disclose the suspension from State A when applying for admission to practice in State B.

  • The lawyer is required to practice in State B with certain restrictions since the suspension in State A does not automatically apply.

Question 12 of 20

A lawyer recently resigned from a position as an administrative attorney at a federal regulatory body. A former client of that body seeks representation in a lawsuit challenging a regulation the lawyer worked on during their tenure. What is the MOST appropriate action for the lawyer according to professional responsibility rules?

  • Represent the client considering the lawyer's current and past affiliations with the regulatory body.

  • Take on the case but refrain from using information obtained during the lawyer's time at the regulatory body.

  • Represent the client if they obtain informed consent from the former regulatory body.

  • Decline the representation due to conflicts of interest arising from the lawyer's former government service.

Question 13 of 20

A lawyer agrees to represent a client in a complex litigation case on a contingency fee basis, receiving 30% of any settlement or judgment obtained. Which of the following is the BEST consideration in determining whether this fee arrangement is ethical?

  • Whether the fee allows the lawyer to cover all operational expenses.

  • Whether the client has the financial means to pay a higher hourly rate if needed.

  • Whether the lawyer personally prefers contingency arrangements.

  • Whether the percentage is comparable to typical contingency fees for similar cases.

Question 14 of 20

Three attorneys, all licensed in State X, want to practice together by forming a professional corporation that will offer legal services to the public. According to the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct governing ownership and fee sharing in such entities, which of the following proposed arrangements would comply with the rules?

  • The corporation agrees to pay an outside marketing company a percentage of legal fees as a commission.

  • A non-lawyer holds a minority share of stock in the corporation.

  • The three lawyers are the sole shareholders and corporate directors.

  • Because it is a separate legal entity, the corporation is exempt from the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Question 15 of 20

Which of the following actions is most consistent with a managing partner's obligation to supervise subordinate lawyers under professional-responsibility rules?

  • Limiting the managing partner's involvement in subordinate lawyers' cases to respect their autonomy.

  • Allowing subordinate lawyers to determine their own compliance strategies without oversight.

  • Assigning the responsibility for ethical oversight to administrative staff without legal training.

  • Establishing clear protocols for reporting and addressing ethical violations within the firm.

Question 16 of 20

Attorney Jordan previously represented Alpha Corp in negotiating a merger. Now, Alpha Corp's competitor, Beta Inc., seeks Attorney Jordan's representation in negotiating a merger against Alpha Corp. What is the most appropriate action for Attorney Jordan to take?

  • Take on the new client.

  • Obtain permission from the former client.

  • Decline to represent the new client.

  • Terminate the previous representation.

Question 17 of 20

An attorney has been reported for consistently failing to communicate with clients about the status of their cases, leading to client dissatisfaction. After an investigation, the disciplinary board determines that these failures were unintentional but indicate a lack of professionalism. What is the most appropriate disciplinary action for the board to take?

  • Reprimand the attorney and require completion of additional ethics education.

  • Suspend the attorney’s license for one year.

  • Disbar the attorney from practicing law.

  • Dismiss the complaint without further action.

Question 18 of 20

Attorney Jane is representing two corporations in negotiating a joint venture agreement. During the negotiations, a significant dispute arises between the two corporations that may require legal action. What is the best course of action for Jane to comply with professional responsibility rules?

  • Represent one corporation more diligently than the other.

  • Continue representing both corporations without any additional steps.

  • Withdraw from representing one of the corporations to avoid the conflict.

  • Obtain informed consent from both corporations after full disclosure of potential conflicts.

Question 19 of 20

Which of the following activities is considered the unauthorized practice of law by a nonlawyer?

  • Offering general legal information at a public seminar.

  • Assisting with the filing of routine paperwork in a non-legal capacity.

  • Referring individuals to a licensed attorney for legal matters.

  • Preparing legal documents for others without a license.

Question 20 of 20

Attorney Johnson is representing a client who reveals plans to embezzle funds from their employer and seeks assistance in executing the scheme. Under the exceptions to the confidentiality rule, what action may Attorney Johnson take?

  • Disclose the client's plan to prevent the embezzlement.

  • Maintain confidentiality and advise the client to retract their plans.

  • Seek guidance from a colleague regarding the client's situation confidentially.

  • Inform the client's employer while maintaining client confidentiality.