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Here you will find helpful information for bar candidates, jurisdictions, the bar admissions community, the legal education community, and media/press. 

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Statement on the July 2026 NextGen Bar Exam Administration

Jul 28, 2026
UPDATED JULY 30, 2026 12:32 PM CT. The inaugural administration of the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination concluded yesterday, marking a historic milestone in legal licensure. Thousands of applicants across the country successfully completed either the legacy bar examination or the first operational administration of the NextGen UBE. We are proud of every applicant who reached this milestone after years of preparation.
News

Refreshed NextGen Examinees’ Guide Published

Jul 2, 2026

A refreshed version of the Official Examinees’ Guide to the NextGen UBE, July 2026–February 2027, is now available on the NCBE website. The latest edition of the Guide includes a current map of NextGen UBE jurisdictions, updated links to NCBE web pages, and information about the results of the NextGen UBE beta administration.

Press Release

New NCBE Report Confirms NextGen Uniform Bar Exam Ready for Launch

May 4, 2026
In advance of the first administration of the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE) this July, the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) has published a comprehensive report on NextGen UBE research and development, including a detailed discussion of psychometric findings from the January 2026 NextGen beta administration.
Press Release

NCBE Releases National Mean for March 2026 MPRE

Apr 28, 2026

MADISON, WISCONSIN, April 28, 2026—The national mean scaled score for the March 2026 MPRE was 97.4, 3.5 points higher than the March 2025 mean of 93.9. The March 2026 mean reflects the performance of 19,651 examinees, 588 fewer than the March 2025 examinee count of 20,239.

Commentary

Wisconsin Adopts the Legacy Uniform Bar Exam

Apr 9, 2026

On March 24, 2026, the Wisconsin Supreme Court released an order stating that Wisconsin will administer the legacy Uniform Bar Examination and accept transferred legacy UBE scores of 260 or higher beginning with the July 2026 bar administration.[1]

Commentary

The Bar Exam Enters a New Era

Mar 23, 2026

by Judith A. Gundersen

Eight years ago, we asked a simple question: what does a competent new lawyer actually need to know? This July, the answer arrives in the form of the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination. For the first time, select US jurisdictions will administer the NextGen UBE—an exam built through research, transparency, legal industry engagement, and rigorous testing.

Press Release

2026 NCBE Research Award Recipients Announced

Feb 6, 2026
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) has announced the 2026 recipients of two awards that provide funding for research related to testing and measurement, with a particular focus on research related to high-stakes licensure testing such as the bar exam.