Illinois is poised to implement a new bar exam format starting in 2028, as confirmed by the state Supreme Court on Wednesday. Known as NextGen, the forthcoming test aims to better evaluate candidates’ proficiency in legal practice as opposed to purely memorizing legal doctrines. The state has been employing the Unified Bar Exam since 2019.
The NextGen exam’s principal focus will be on assessing foundational legal skills, according to Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis. She stated, “The new bar exam places a greater emphasis on testing the foundational skills required to practice law instead of memorizing legal concepts and principles.”
Illinois joins a growing cohort of 19 jurisdictions, including Guam, that have announced the shift to this new testing system, which has been heralded by its proponents for a more comprehensive evaluation of future lawyers.
For further details, you can read the full announcement here.