Significant changes are on the horizon for the bar exam, impacting those aiming to qualify from the Class of 2026 onwards. The current form of the bar exam, a rite of passage for many law practitioners, is expected to undergo a considerable transformation in the coming years. Notably, the NextGen exam is planned to become the new standard in three to four years, an alteration reported by Law.com.
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) recently announced that the current NCBE bar exam will cease after July 2027. The existing format, known as the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), includes the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and Multistate Performance Test (MPT).
Candidates will see a reduction in test areas as part of the exam restructuring. The new exam will not include several sections currently required, such as Family Law, Conflict of Laws, Trusts and Estates, and Secured Transactions. This change will be of great relief to students who have struggled with these components of the bar exam. Additionally, candidates with weak bladders can breathe a sigh of relief – the new exam will be shorter by three hours.
While the evolution of the bar exam will undoubtedly bring many benefits, it’s expected there will still be challenges. As law professionals, we know that there’s always room for improvement – and course-correction – and it will be intriguing to follow this journey alongside our future colleagues.