Bar Exam: Uniform Bar Examination, NextGen UBE, and MPRE
NCBE writes the bar exam used by most U.S. jurisdictions. The legacy Uniform Bar Examination is being replaced by the NextGen UBE, a computer based exam that blends legal knowledge with practical lawyering skills; it was first given in July 2026 and most jurisdictions switch between July 2026 and July 2028. Most jurisdictions also require the MPRE, a separate two hour ethics exam.
Issued by National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) · Official page
Who can apply
- Bar exam eligibility (law degree, character and fitness, residency) is set by each jurisdiction's admitting authority, not by NCBE
- MPRE registration is open through NCBE; jurisdictions set their own MPRE passing scores
Exam
- Exam
- NextGen UBE (legacy UBE through February 2028); MPRE
- Format
- NextGen UBE: one and a half days, three 3 hour sessions (two on day one, one on day two), taken on the examinee's own laptop at in person proctored sites; question types are multiple choice, integrated question sets, and performance tasks. Legacy UBE: MBE (50%), MEE (30%), and two MPT tasks (20%). MPRE: 60 multiple choice questions (50 scored, 10 unscored pretest) at Pearson test centers.
- Questions
- Data unavailable
- Time
- NextGen UBE about 9 hours of testing over 1.5 days; MPRE 2 hours
Scoring: NextGen UBE reports one score on a 500 to 750 scale and most jurisdictions set passing scores between 610 and 620. Legacy UBE uses a 400 point scale. MPRE scaled scores range from 50 to 150. Rollout: the first NextGen UBE was given in late July 2026 in ten jurisdictions (Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Palau, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington). NCBE's adoption table (updated Oct. 16, 2026) lists 52 of 56 jurisdictions as adopting; Arkansas, Louisiana, Nevada and Puerto Rico are listed as not adopting. Remaining legacy UBE dates: Feb. 23 to 24, 2027; July 27 to 28, 2027; Feb. 22 to 23, 2028.
Official fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPRE test fee (2026 and 2027 administrations) | $185 | Paid by debit or credit card at registration | Official page |
| MPRE rescheduling fee | $25 | Nonrefundable and nontransferable | Official page |
Only fees published by the issuer or regulator are listed. Blank amounts mean no official figure was available to verify.
Renewal and continuing education
- Cycle
- Not applicable
- Requirement
- Exams are passed once. Bar membership renewal and CLE are set by each jurisdiction.
Timeline
Legacy UBE is administered through February 2028. Between July 2026 and July 2028 most jurisdictions transition to the NextGen UBE.
Notes
Bar exam fees are charged by each jurisdiction, not NCBE. Connecticut moved to the NextGen UBE starting July 2026.
Related careers
| Occupation | National median wage |
|---|---|
| Lawyers | $159,670 |
Sources
- NCBE About the NextGen Bar Exam, accessed October 18, 2026
- NCBE NextGen UBE Scores and Score Portability, accessed October 18, 2026
- NCBE NextGen UBE Decisions by Jurisdiction, accessed October 18, 2026
- Ten Jurisdictions Complete the Inaugural Administration of the NextGen UBE, accessed October 18, 2026
- NCBE Uniform Bar Examination, accessed October 18, 2026
- NCBE MPRE, accessed October 18, 2026
- NCBE MPRE Registration, accessed October 18, 2026
Verification notes
questions is null because NCBE does not publish a single NextGen item count on the pages fetched. The exact dates of the inaugural NextGen administration were not stated by NCBE (release dated July 31, 2026 says it was held that week); Connecticut's own site gives July 28 and 29, 2026. The amount of the MPRE partial refund on cancellation is not published. Bar exam application fees are jurisdiction specific (see CT item).
ConnectPrep is not affiliated with National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). Credential names may be trademarks of their owners.