The two-exam year
The standard schedule is February and July.
How the calendar works backward
Start with the exam date, subtract application deadlines, laptop registration and mock exam dates, and character review lead time. Then subtract your study window. That gives your start date and your application date. Put every date in one calendar.
Application seasons
Application windows often open the winter before a July exam and the summer before a February exam. Early and late fee dates are set by each board. Check your board every season, since dates shift.
Results seasons
Results are often released in the weeks or months after each administration. If you might retake, know your reapplication deadline before results arrive.
Rule changes each year
Each year brings changes: passing scores, exam form, local components and fees. NCBE removed Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts and Estates and Secured Transactions from the MEE effective July 2026. The NextGen exam is being adopted in phases through July 2028. When you see a guide or a book, check the date.
Provider sales and promotions
Providers often run early enrollment discounts and seasonal sales, including around the fall and holidays. A discount is only useful if you have confirmed your exam and read the refund terms.
What to check every season
Confirm the exam form, dates, deadlines, passing score, subjects, fees, laptop rules and any new state requirements. Sign up for your board's announcements.
Common questions
When is the bar exam given?+
Most jurisdictions give it twice a year, in February and July, with applications due months earlier. Some offer one date, and a few have other dates.
Is the February bar exam harder than July?+
The questions are not designed to be harder. February pass rates tend to be lower because a larger share of takers are repeaters, so compare like with like.
Do bar exam rules change from year to year?+
Yes. Passing scores, exam forms, subjects and fees can change. For example, NCBE removed four subjects from the MEE effective July 2026, so check any guide's date.
What to do next
- 1
Write your exam date and work backward to your start date.
- 2
Check the board's site each season for changes.
- 3
Confirm your exam form before buying materials.