The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) has unveiled the “NextGen UBE Blueprint,” detailing the structure and content of the forthcoming NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE), set to debut in July 2026. This initiative marks the first major overhaul of the bar exam in 25 years, aiming to better align with the practical skills required in modern legal practice. ([ncbex.org](https://www.ncbex.org/news-resources/ncbe-publishes-nextgen-ube-blueprint-july-2026-february-2027-legal-research?utm_source=openai))
The NextGen UBE will reduce the total testing time from 12 to 9 hours, spread over one and a half days. The exam will consist of three three-hour sessions, each featuring a combination of multiple-choice questions, integrated question sets, and performance tasks. Notably, the multiple-choice component will decrease from 200 to 120 questions, while performance tasks will now constitute 30% of the total score, up from 20%. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/details-emerge-about-new-national-bar-exam-with-anticipation-high-2025-06-04/?utm_source=openai))
Despite the release of the blueprint, some legal educators express concerns about the timing and depth of the information provided. Marsha Griggs, a professor at Saint Louis University School of Law, noted that the Association of Academic Support Educators has been advocating for earlier disclosure of exam details. She emphasized that the public, especially those preparing for the new exam, have been left in the dark on critical aspects like scoring, timing, and content for too long. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/details-emerge-about-new-national-bar-exam-with-anticipation-high-2025-06-04/?utm_source=openai))
In response, Kara McWilliams, NCBE’s Chief Product Officer, stated that the blueprint is grounded in extensive development and pretesting data, designed to offer clear guidance for educators and candidates. ([ncbex.org](https://www.ncbex.org/news-resources/ncbe-publishes-nextgen-ube-blueprint-july-2026-february-2027-legal-research?utm_source=openai))
As the legal community prepares for this transition, the NCBE plans to release additional resources, including the Official Examinees’ Guide to the NextGen UBE and the final Content Scope Outline, to further assist educators and examinees in adapting to the new examination format. ([ncbex.org](https://www.ncbex.org/news-resources/ncbe-publishes-nextgen-ube-blueprint-july-2026-february-2027-legal-research?utm_source=openai))