Next Gen Bar Exam: Overview & FAQ [Updated in 2024]

Next Gen Bar Exam: Overview & FAQ [Updated in 2024]

Here, we give a NextGen Bar Exam overview. We tell you how the NextGen Bar Exam is formatted, what is tested on the NextGen Bar Exam, when it will be administered, and a lot more. Read more below for our NextGen Bar Exam Overview and FAQ

Next Gen Bar Exam Overview & FAQ

What is the NextGen Bar Exam?

It is a new bar exam that is being developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) to test foundational lawyering skills along with doctrinal knowledge. It tests specific core subjects (Civil Procedure, Contract Law, Evidence, Torts, Business Associations, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Real Property, Family Law (beginning in July 2028)). It also tests a variety of legal skills (legal research, legal writing, issue spotting and analysis, investigation and evaluation, client counseling and advising, negotiation and dispute resolution, client relationship and management). It does not have discreet components but instead will feature multiple-choice questions, integrated question sets, and performance tasks.

What is the format of the NextGen Bar Exam?

The NextGen Bar Exam will feature three question types: stand-alone multiple-choice, integrated question sets, and performance tasks. Integrated sets combine multiple-choice and short answer.

How long is the NextGen Bar Exam?

The NextGen Bar Exam is nine hours long and will take place over a day and a half. There will be two three-hour question sets administered the first day with a lunch break in the middle. There will be one three-hour question set administered the second day. 

When will the NextGen Bar Exam first be administered?

The first administration of the NextGen Bar Exam will be in July 2026. All states will have to adopt the NextGen bar exam or choose another path to licensure by July 2028.

What states are planning to administer the NextGen Bar Exam?

The following jurisdictions plan to administer the NextGen Bar Exam.

July 2026: Connecticut, Guam, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, Washington

July 2027: Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Vermont, Wyoming, Oklahoma

July 2028: Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Illinois

Here is an image from the NCBE’s website.

What subjects are tested on the NextGen Bar Exam?

The following subjects are tested on the NextGen Bar Exam:

• Civil Procedure
• Contract Law
• Evidence
• Torts
• Business Associations
• Constitutional Law
• Criminal Law
• Real Property
• Family Law (beginning in July 2028)

Is the NextGen Bar Exam easier or harder?

In many ways, the NextGen Bar Exam will be easier than the Uniform Bar Exam. There are less subjects tested compared with the Uniform Bar Exam (and most state exams). It focuses less on memorization and more on practical skills. It is also shorter than the traditional bar exam and has only 9 hours of testing as opposed to 12 or more. However, it is unclear what the pass rate of the NextGen Bar Exam will be.

How is the NextGen Bar Exam similar to the UBE?

Here are some similarities:

• It is administered to law school graduates twice per year (February and July) and using a scaled scoring system.
• It has a multiple-choice component and a written component very similar to the MPT component.
• It tests many of the same subjects (see above).
• It is a 1.5-day exam and leaves room for a state testing component.
• The goal is to allow exam portability, similar to the UBE, though this is ultimately up to individual states.
• It will take place in testing centers across the nation.

How is the NextGen Bar Exam different from the UBE?

Here are some differences:

• It is shorter (9 hours as opposed to 12).
• There are less subjects tested. Many of the “core” UBE subjects are tested (see above) but subjects such as Wills & Trusts, Secured Transactions, and Conflict of Laws are not.
• Similar to the UBE, the Next Gen Bar Exam will have multiple-choice questions and performance tests; but, it is doing away with the essay portion altogether so there is nothing like the MEE.
• It allegedly is less focused on memorization and more on practical skills.

What foundational skills are tested on the NextGen Bar Exam?

The following foundational skills are tested on the NextGen Bar Exam:

• Legal Research
• Legal Writing
• Issue Spotting and Analysis
• Investigation and Evaluation
• Client Counseling and Advising
• Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
• Client Relationship and Management

The NCBE divides these into four broad groups of foundational skills.

When will the NCBE stop administering the Uniform Bar Exam?

The NextGen Bar Exam will be administered beginning in July 2026. The last administration of the Uniform Bar Exam will occur in February 2028, as the NextGen Bar Exam becomes the new standard beginning in July 2028.

Will the Model Rules of Professional Conduct be tested on the NextGen Bar Exam?

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct will not be tested in stand-alone questions. The following Model Rules may be tested in the context of Group B Foundational Skills:

Which law school classes will prepare me for the NextGen Bar Exam?

All of your first-year classes will help you prepare for the substance of the NextGen Bar Exam. This includes Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Contracts, and Property. Beyond that, you should take Evidence, Business Associations, and Criminal Procedure. If you are taking the bar exam after July 2028, take Family Law as well.

Lastly, take classes that help with legal writing or practical skills. The NextGen bar exam will test foundational skills in addition to substantive law.

When the NextGen Bar Exam is administered, what will happen to the MPRE?

The MPRE will remain a separate standalone exam even when the NextGen Bar Exam is administered.

How many times per year will the NextGen Bar Exam be administered?

It will be administered twice each year, in February and July.

Will the NextGen Bar Exam be administered on paper or via computer?

The NextGen Bar Exam will be administered via computer. (At least this is the recommendation of the task committee and the expectation.) However, for candidates with disabilities, other options will be available.

How will the NextGen Bar Exam be graded?

Portions of the items that can be machine-scored (e.g., multiple-choice items) will be scored by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). Other responses will be graded by the state bar examiners.

Will NextGen Bar Exam scores be portable?

The goal is for the NextGen Bar Exam scores to be portable but it is ultimately up to the jurisdictions that adopt the NextGen Bar Exam to accept NextGen Bar Exam scores from other jurisdictions.

We hope you found this NextGen Bar Exam overview to be helpful. We will continue to update this FAQ as we get more information. You can always consult the NCBE page for the most updated information about the NextGen Bar Exam.

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