Illinois is home to over 63,422 lawyers. Bar exams test the reasoning ability, analytical ability, and legal knowledge of aspiring lawyers. Students who qualify for these exams are awarded a “certificate of practice.” The IL state bar exam is the final step involved in becoming a practicing attorney in Illinois.
Students appearing for the bar exam should track exam dates, application procedures, and fees beforehand. The format and exam style may vary from state to state. Therefore, studying the specific format, syllabus, and pre-exam procedures for the il bar exam is essential if you plan to appear for it this year.
What is the IL State Bar Exam?
The IL Board of Admissions to the Bar organizes the exam to analyze if a specific candidate has the required knowledge and professional competence to become a practicing lawyer. On passing the exam, the lawyer is admitted to the Illinois State Bar.
As per Illinois laws, all graduate lawyers are required to take and pass the Universal Bar Exam. The IL bar exam is usually conducted twice a year. You may note that an individual will not become a practicing lawyer by passing this exam alone.
Graduate students also have to meet other professional requirements put forward by the State of Chicago. Stats show that only 42% of students who appear for the Illinois bar exam pass the exam. Hence, you will have to prepare comprehensively and efficiently if you plan to appear for it.
Application Deadline for Illinois Bar Exam
The application deadline for the exam may vary slightly every year. It is usually conducted in February and July. The application deadline for the February exam usually falls around mid-September and the last date to apply for the July exam is usually around mid-February.
The board will announce the exam location in Chicago. Late fees and other charges may apply if you miss the application deadline. You could end up missing the exam if you fail to apply before the last date.
Syllabus for Illinois Bar Exam
To excel in the IL bar exam, students should be well-versed in civil procedure, contracts, real property, criminal law and procedure, constitutional law, torts, and evidence. Most candidates find the exam challenging and moderately strenuous.
The exam is conducted over two days and consists of:
- Three drafted essay questions
- Multistate Performance Tests
- Multistate Essay Exams
The board follows the format mentioned above for conducting the exam. The MPT tests the lawyer’s ability to use their knowledge and experience to tackle realistic legal situations.
Candidates are required to answer long essay-style exams (30 minutes per answer) for the MME. Layers should showcase their proficiency in identifying legal issues, forming solutions, and presenting concise, well-formed answers in these examinations.
Multistate Bar Exams comprise around 200 multiple-choice questions. Lawyers are expected to answer as many questions as they possibly can within the allotted time frame.
There is no discretionary limit on the number of times you can appear for the Illinois bar exam.
How to Prepare for the Illinois State Bar Exam
Aspiring candidates should get a detailed understanding of the syllabus and the exam format before appearing for the exam. You could also benefit from finding and using the best available guides and material to prepare well.
Several factors could influence your success in the bar exam. Consider reading up on strategies employed by former candidates before starting your preparations.
Final Thought
As per recent surveys, first-time takers of IL bar exams have higher pass rates of 9 3%. Structured preparation can help you crack the exam. Candidates require a “Combined Scaled Score” of at least 266 points out of 400 to pass the exam.
