The bar exam is changing in a major way in 2026. The NextGen Uniform Bar Examination will first be given on July 28 and 29 in 10 jurisdictions. Compared with the current exam, the new exam will place more weight on skills used in daily practice. This shift will affect law students and new attorneys. It will also affect the firms that hire them. A law firm marketing agency may even help firms explain what they offer to this new generation of lawyers.
Why was the bar exam changed?
The National Conference of Bar Examiners developed the NextGen UBE after studying the work performed by newly licensed attorneys. The goal was to create an exam that better reflects what beginning lawyers are expected to do.
The current Uniform Bar Examination separates multiple-choice questions from essays. It also includes performance tests. The NextGen version blends legal knowledge with practical work. Candidates may need to review a client file and use provided legal sources. They may also draft part of a document or explain a client’s options.
The new approach does not remove legal knowledge from the exam. Candidates still need to understand core rules. They must also show that they can apply those rules in realistic situations.
What subjects will the NextGen exam cover?
For the first administrations, the exam will test eight main areas of legal knowledge. Civil procedure and contract law are included. Constitutional law and criminal law will also be tested. The remaining subjects are evidence and real property, along with torts and business associations.
Family law will appear in skills-based questions through February 2028. Trusts and estates will be handled in the same way. Candidates will receive the legal resources needed for these questions. Family law is scheduled to become a foundational subject in July 2028.
This smaller subject list may reduce some memorization. It does not make the exam easy. Candidates will need to find relevant rules and apply them under time pressure.
How will the test format change?
The NextGen UBE will take one and a half days. Candidates will complete two three-hour sessions on the first day. A final three-hour session will take place on the second day.
About 40 percent of exam time will involve multiple-choice questions. Just over one quarter will involve integrated question sets based on shared facts. About one-third will involve performance tasks. Some of those tasks will test legal research through provided sources.
Candidates will take the exam on their own laptops at an in-person testing site. A secure platform will display the questions and collect the answers.
What skills will new attorneys be expected to show?
The new exam directly tests legal research and legal writing. It also tests issue spotting and investigation. Other questions may focus on client counseling or negotiation.
These skills reflect work that new attorneys often perform soon after joining a firm. A passing score does not mean a new lawyer is fully trained. It does show that the lawyer has demonstrated a basic ability to work through legal problems in a professional setting.
Law firms may want to review their training as the first NextGen graduates enter practice. Supervisors can build on the exam’s approach through clear feedback and work that becomes more complex over time. A law firm marketing agency can also help firms describe their mentoring culture to applicants who value practical growth.
Will every state use the new exam in 2026?
No. The rollout will happen over several years. Ten jurisdictions will administer the NextGen UBE in July 2026. Most other participating jurisdictions plan to begin in 2027 or 2028. The legacy UBE will remain available in some jurisdictions through February 2028.
Score transfer rules will vary. Candidates should check the rules in every jurisdiction where they may seek admission. A score that qualifies in one place may not meet another jurisdiction’s passing standard.
What does this change mean for law firms?
The NextGen UBE signals a wider shift toward practical preparation. New attorneys may enter practice with more experience using legal sources and drafting documents. They may also be more familiar with client-based scenarios. Firms will still need to teach local rules and office procedures. They must also help new hires develop sound judgment.
Civille helps law firms improve their websites and digital outreach. Its services also support analytics and lead management. As the profession evolves, a clear online presence can help a firm reach future clients and attorneys. To learn how a law firm marketing agency can support your firm’s growth, contact Civille at (920) 903-5168 or through their online form.
