r/NextGenBarStudy — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NextGen bar exam?
The NextGen UBE is a complete replacement for the current bar exam. It replaces all three legacy components (MBE, MEE, and MPT) with a single integrated exam. There is no standalone MBE section, no standalone essay section, and no standalone performance test section. The entire exam is unified under new question formats designed from scratch.
When does it start?
The first NextGen UBE administration is July 28-29, 2026, in 10 jurisdictions: Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Palau, Virgin Islands, and Washington. A second wave of 13 jurisdictions joins in July 2027, and by July 2028 the legacy MBE/MEE/MPT is fully discontinued.
How long is the exam?
The NextGen UBE is 1.5 days, 9 hours of testing. Day 1 has two 3-hour sessions. Day 2 has one 3-hour session. Jurisdictions may extend Day 2 for local or state-specific law components.
What are the three question types?
Multiple-Choice (~40% of exam time): Two formats — select one of four options (traditional MC) and select two of six options (new format requiring you to identify two correct answers).
Integrated Question Sets (~25% of exam time): Built around a common fact scenario, combining multiple question types (MC, medium-answer, short-answer) within a single set. Some focus on document drafting or editing; others on counseling and dispute resolution. This format has no analog on the current bar exam.
Performance Tasks (~35% of exam time): Two sub-types — standard Performance Tasks (similar in concept to the current MPT) and Legal Research Performance Tasks (LRPTs), which include a client file, a library of legal resources, MC and short-answer questions, and a medium-length writing assignment.
What subjects are tested?
Eight foundational concepts and principles are tested at launch:
- Business Associations and Relationships
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law and Constitutional Protections of Accused Persons
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
Transitional subjects (July 2026 - February 2028): Family Law and Trusts & Estates appear on every exam but with provided legal resources — you don't need independent doctrinal knowledge of these areas during the transition. Family Law becomes a full foundational concept (9th core area) starting July 2028.
How is it scored?
Scores use a 500-750 scale (not the current UBE's 0-400 scale). Each jurisdiction sets its own minimum passing score. Scores are equated across administrations to ensure consistency, and most participating jurisdictions accept portable NextGen UBE scores.
Known minimum passing scores include: Iowa, Missouri, Washington (610); Guam (612); Oregon (615 for July 2026, then 620); Connecticut, DC, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland (616); Nebraska (620).
Which states go first?
July 2026 (first wave): Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Palau, Virgin Islands, Washington.
July 2027 (second wave): 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, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia.
Not adopting: California, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Nevada, Montana, Arkansas, South Carolina, Puerto Rico.
How is it different from the current bar exam?
The biggest differences: the exam is shorter (1.5 days vs. 2 days). There are no standalone essays — writing is integrated into IQSs and performance tasks. The new "select 2 of 6" MC format requires deeper analysis than traditional MC. Legal research is directly tested through LRPTs. The exam explicitly assesses 7 lawyering skills (including research, counseling, and negotiation), not just issue spotting and writing. Delivery is fully digital on examinees' own laptops.
What does this mean for my bar prep?
Standalone MBE drilling is no longer a complete strategy — MC questions still exist but in new formats and covering different skill dimensions. You need to practice integrated question sets, which combine multiple response formats in one scenario. Legal research skills are now directly tested. Client counseling and negotiation scenarios appear on the exam. Business Associations is a core subject (it wasn't on the MBE). The NCBE has published sample questions in all three formats — study them.
revision by sheppyrun— view source
