2026 transition tracked · Legacy UBE + NextGen UBESee the latest bar exam updates
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NextGen UBE course

This NextGen UBE course covers the full method, from the first read through timed practice and review. Prepare for stand-alone multiple choice, integrated sets, standard performance tasks, legal-research performance tasks, short and medium responses, drafting, counseling, and negotiation across three sessions. Expect select-one and select-two formats. Treating NextGen as only a shorter MBE plus an MPT. Read the shared task and inventory every file or authority. Ignoring supplied legal resources because memorized law feels familiar. Identify doctrine and lawyering task before choices. Client objective Track which question needs which material rather than rereading the entire file. Failing to answer select-two instructions exactly.

Open simulationsOpen study guide
9 hoursTesting time
3 × 3-hour sessionsSchedule
MCQ · integrated · PT/LRPTQuestion families
500–750Score scale
METHOD 01

Stand-alone multiple choice

  1. Expect select-one and select-two formats.
  2. Identify doctrine and lawyering task before choices.
  3. For select-two, evaluate each option independently and choose exactly two.
  4. Use recalled law for starred scope and recognize unstarred issues even when resources may be provided elsewhere.
METHOD 02

Integrated sets

  1. Read the shared task and inventory every file or authority.
  2. Track which question needs which material rather than rereading the entire file.
  3. Preserve consistency across selected responses and written answers.
  4. Switch deliberately among legal analysis, research, counseling, investigation, negotiation, and drafting.
METHOD 03

Performance tasks

  1. For standard PTs, synthesize supplied law and complete the professional writing assignment.
  2. For LRPTs, answer research and source-evaluation questions before the medium response.
  3. Use hierarchy, currency, negative treatment, factual fit, and sufficiency to evaluate sources.
  4. Do not import memorized law when supplied authority controls.
METHOD 04

Short and medium writing

  1. Answer the exact requested number of reasons, facts, terms, or steps.
  2. Use compact rule-fact-conclusion structure.
  3. Prioritize decisive authority and facts over background.
  4. Draft or edit language consistent with client objectives, constraints, and ethics.
METHOD 05

Client and negotiation work

  1. Separate legal result from practical objective.
  2. Identify interests, alternatives, authority, constraints, and missing information.
  3. Offer implementable options and explain tradeoffs.
  4. Apply the selected Model Rules from memory inside the task.
WORKING TEMPLATES

Working templates

Integrated-set workspace

  1. Client objective
  2. Question and response type
  3. Controlling resource
  4. Decisive facts
  5. Missing facts
  6. Ethics constraint
  7. Answer and confidence

Medium response

  1. Direct recommendation or conclusion
  2. Governing standard
  3. Two to four decisive applications
  4. Risk or counterpoint
  5. Next step

Drafting edit

  1. Problematic phrase
  2. Why it fails law or objective
  3. Replacement language
  4. Implementation consequence
FAILURE MODES

Common mistakes

01Treating NextGen as only a shorter MBE plus an MPT.

02Ignoring supplied legal resources because memorized law feels familiar.

03Failing to answer select-two instructions exactly.

04Writing a law-school essay when a client recommendation or drafted clause was requested.

05Studying doctrine without source evaluation, counseling, negotiation, investigation, and ethics.

TRAINING PROGRESSION

Training progression

PhaseWorkAdvancement standard
KnowledgeRules, checklists, and select-one/two drillsAccurate recall and issue recognition
ComponentsShort responses and source questionsComplete within task time
IntegrationShared-file multi-format setsConsistent use of file and law
PerformancePT and LRPT assignmentsProfessional product completed
SimulationThree 3-hour sessionsStable pacing and endurance
NEXTGEN FACTS FROM NCBE

When your jurisdiction moves and what the exam looks like

NCBE's adoption table, updated July 16, 2026, lists a first NextGen administration for 51 jurisdictions. July 2026: Connecticut, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, Washington, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau and the Virgin Islands. July 2027: Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. February 2028: Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois and Montana. The July 2028 group is the largest at 24 jurisdictions, including California, Florida, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia, and those candidates sit the legacy UBE through February 2028. NCBE says the table changes as jurisdictions report, so confirm your date on your own bar's page.

The NextGen UBE has three three-hour sections over one and a half days, with the second day on the last Wednesday of February or July. It is taken on your own laptop at an in-person proctored location after mandatory technology and policy readiness steps. NCBE's content scope lists eight foundational concepts and seven foundational skills through February 2028, and NextGen multiple-choice questions have four to six answer options with one or more correct answers.

OFFICIAL FORMAT & PREPARATION SOURCEVerify with NCBE →