The NextGen Bar Exam is Coming: What You Need to Know
This article was last updated May 21, 2026. Please visit the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) website for the latest news on the NextGen Bar Exam.
Introduction to the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam
Overview
The NextGen Uniform Bar Exam is a modernized shift to the current Legacy Uniform Bar Exam, set to better align with the practical demands of the legal profession. This new exam structure, developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) with input from lawyers, judges, legal educators, employers, and other interested groups, aims to more accurately assess the essential skills and knowledge that new lawyers need to effectively begin their legal careers, providing a more practical and relevant measure of a law student’s readiness to practice law. The NCBE began exploring the need for changes to the bar exam around 2018.
Purpose
The primary goal of the NextGen UBE is to enhance the practical competency of new lawyers. By emphasizing foundational legal skills and ethical decision-making, the exam is designed to produce professionals who are well-prepared for the complexities of modern legal work.
Timeline for Implementation
The NextGen UBE will be implemented in phases. Key dates include:
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First Administration: The first administration of the NextGen UBE will take place in July 2026.
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Legacy Uniform Bar Exam Eliminated: The current Legacy UBE and the NextGen UBE will be offered concurrently for two full years, making the Legacy UBE available through the February 2028 exam.
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Family Law Addition: Family Law will be included in the exam starting with the July 2028 NextGen UBE.
This timeline allows current and future law students time to adjust to the new format, with key registration and preparation deadlines to be announced by state bar associations. So far, most of the jurisdictions that currently administer the Legacy UBE have announced plans to administer the NextGen UBE.
It's important to note that not all jurisdictions will adopt the NextGen UBE. For example, Nevada has decided not to implement the NextGen format and is rolling out its own three-part licensing process called the "Nevada Plan" starting in February 2027. Candidates should check with their jurisdiction's bar examiner to understand which exam format will be used.
Key Changes in the Exam Structure
Format Changes
The NextGen UBE introduces key format changes to better assess the practical skills and knowledge needed for entry-level legal practice. Unlike the Legacy UBE Exam, which relies on 200 multiple-choice questions for half its exam, the NextGen UBE will include 120 standalone multiple-choice questions and introduce Integrated Question Sets (IQS) that combine multiple areas of law and require examinees to apply skills and knowledge in more realistic scenarios. By integrating subjects across different sections, the NextGen UBE reflects the interdisciplinary nature of real-world legal practice while emphasizing foundational lawyering skills and real-world application. At the same time, it retains a substantial standalone multiple-choice component to assess legal knowledge and analysis.
The NextGen UBE maintains performance tasks similar to those in the Legacy UBE, which simulate real-life legal tasks such as drafting memos or briefs, emphasizing problem-solving, legal reasoning, and professional judgment. Additionally, short-answer questions are included to test the practical application of legal concepts, reducing the focus on rote memorization and increasing the emphasis on skills-based assessments.
The NextGen UBE’s overall structure will be streamlined to 1.5 days, reducing the length of the current two-day exam while maintaining a comprehensive evaluation of essential competencies. However, some jurisdictions may supplement the NextGen UBE with a separate state-specific component or local law assessment, which could extend the overall testing or licensure process depending on the jurisdiction.
For the NextGen UBE, standalone multiple-choice questions account for 49% of the total exam score, Integrated Question Sets (IQSs) account for 21%, and Performance Tasks account for the remaining 30%.
Content Adjustments
Most of the substantive areas tested on the Legacy UBE will remain on the NextGen UBE: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts and Sales, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, Torts, and Business Associations (which includes agencies, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies).
As noted above, Family Law will be added to the list of subjects beginning with the July 2028 exam.
At this time, the NCBE has announced that Trusts and Estates will not be tested as a standalone substantive subject on the NextGen UBE but will instead appear in a performance task between July 2026 and at least February 2028. This means that candidates will not need to memorize the specific laws governing Trusts and Estates for the exam. Instead, any legal rules or statutes required to answer the performance task will be provided within the question itself. Candidates will be expected to apply the provided legal resources to analyze the facts, solve the problem, or draft a legal document, reflecting a more practical, skills-based approach to testing this area of law.
Professional Responsibility will be added to the NextGen UBE, reflecting its importance in legal practice. It may be assessed through integrated questions that require the application of ethical rules and standards in real-world scenarios, ensuring that candidates are prepared to apply these principles effectively.
This means that subjects like Conflicts of Laws and Secured Transactions are no longer tested on the NextGen UBE, except, of course, to the extent the examiners provide the examinees with the provision of legal resources within a performance task (like Trusts and Wills).
As far as lawyering skills go, the Legacy UBE primarily focuses on issue spotting and analysis and legal writing. The NextGen UBE expands the list of foundational lawyering skills by adding legal research, investigation and evaluation, client counseling and advising, negotiation and dispute resolution, and client relationship and management.
Testing Methods
The NextGen UBE will be administered as a computer-based test, marking a significant shift away from traditional pencil-and-paper methods, including the elimination of fill-in-the-bubble answer sheets for the Legacy UBE’s multiple-choice questions. Candidates will take the exam on their own approved devices, depending on their jurisdiction's requirements. This transition to a digital format allows for more efficient test administration and scoring, reduces the risk of errors associated with manual answer sheets, and offers a more streamlined and accessible testing process.
FAQs and Common Concerns
Which Jurisdictions Have Adopted the NextGen UBE?
The following jurisdictions have announced their adoption of the NextGen UBE starting with the dates listed below.
- July 2026: Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Palau, Virgin Islands, Washington
- July 2027: Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming
- February 2028: Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois
- July 2028: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin
- Date TBD: Mississippi
Registration Process
Candidates must follow specific steps for registering for the NextGen UBE, with deadlines and documentation requirements clearly outlined by NCBE and state bar associations.
To register for the NextGen UBE, candidates must follow the specific instructions provided by the state boards of law examiners in the jurisdiction where they plan to take the exam. As with the current bar exam process, each state has its own set of guidelines and requirements, including deadlines, documentation, and fees. It is crucial for candidates to carefully review and adhere to these instructions to ensure a smooth registration process. Missing a deadline or failing to submit the correct materials could result in delays or disqualification. For more detailed information, candidates should visit the website of their respective state board of law examiners and the NCBE's official site.
Accommodations and Special Needs
Accommodations for candidates with disabilities will continue to be available for the NextGen UBE. Candidates seeking accommodations should consult the specific instructions provided by their state board of law examiners, as each jurisdiction may have different requirements and procedures.
Next Steps as the NextGen UBE Approaches
As the NextGen UBE approaches, staying informed and adequately prepared will be essential for law graduates looking to gain U.S. bar exam eligibility. The changes are designed to better equip future lawyers with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful legal practice in the modern world.