State Guide
Virginia Bar Exam: Essay Tips and How to Prepare
Virginia administers its own jurisdiction-drafted bar exam, separate from the UBE. With approximately 2,000 candidates per year and a combined passing score of 140, Virginia tests state-specific law alongside the MBE. Virginia is adopting the NextGen UBE starting July 2028.
Overview
The Virginia bar exam is administered by the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners. Virginia does not use the UBE. Instead, it administers its own two-day exam consisting of the Virginia Essay exam (10 essay questions over 4 hours) on Day 1 and the MBE on Day 2. The passing score is 140 combined, with the essay portion weighted at 60% and the MBE at 40%.
Results for the July exam are typically released in mid-October. Approximately 2,000 candidates sit for the Virginia bar each year. Because Virginia is not a UBE state, UBE scores earned in other jurisdictions cannot be transferred to Virginia. Candidates who want to practice in Virginia must take the Virginia bar exam. Virginia has announced it will adopt the NextGen UBE starting with the July 2028 administration.
What Makes the Essay Portion Different in Virginia
Virginia writes its own essay questions covering both general multistate subjects and Virginia-specific law. The essay exam consists of 10 questions over 4 hours, and it is weighted at 60% of the total score. This heavy essay weighting means strong essay performance is critical to passing. The MBE accounts for the remaining 40%.
Virginia tests state-specific subjects that do not appear on the UBE, including Virginia civil procedure, Virginia criminal law, domestic relations, and wills, trusts, and estates under Virginia statutes. Candidates must know where Virginia law diverges from the majority rules tested on the MBE. This broader subject range means your study plan needs to cover more ground than a typical UBE preparation course would.
Because Virginia is not a UBE state, there is no score portability. A passing score in Virginia does not transfer to other jurisdictions, and UBE scores from other states do not satisfy Virginia's requirements. However, Virginia is adopting the NextGen UBE starting July 2028, which will align Virginia with the national exam format going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passing score for the Virginia bar exam?
Virginia requires a combined score of 140 to pass. The score is calculated from the Virginia essay exam (weighted 60%) and the MBE (weighted 40%). Virginia does not use the UBE, and UBE scores from other states cannot be transferred to Virginia.
When do Virginia bar exam results come out?
For the July exam, Virginia results are typically released in mid-October. The Virginia Board of Bar Examiners notifies candidates and posts results online. February exam results usually come out in mid-April.
How should I prepare for Virginia bar exam essays?
Study Virginia-specific law alongside the general multistate subjects. Virginia essays test state-specific topics including Virginia civil procedure, Virginia criminal law, domestic relations, and wills, trusts, and estates under Virginia statutes. Practice writing under timed conditions. Rubric-graded practice essays help you build consistency and identify weak spots. Note that Virginia is adopting the NextGen UBE starting July 2028, so future test takers should monitor that transition.