New York is the biggest bar exam jurisdiction in the US, and it's changing its exam. From July 2028, candidates in New York will sit the NCBE's NextGen bar exam instead of the Uniform Bar Examination. Here's what that means for you, depending on when you sit.
When does New York switch?
On 8 January 2025, the New York State Court of Appeals announced that the UBE will be replaced by the NextGen bar exam starting with the July 2028 administration. Nationally, NCBE will run the current exam (the MBE, MEE and MPT) for the last time in February 2028.
Which exam will you sit?
- Sitting February 2028 or earlier: you'll sit the current UBE, made up of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), plus New York's own law component.
- Sitting July 2028 or later: you'll sit the NextGen bar exam, plus New York's state-specific component.
If there's any chance you'll move from one window to the other, for example by resitting, plan for both formats. A lot of the core law overlaps, but the question types don't.
What does the NextGen exam look like?
NextGen is shorter and more skills-based than the current exam:
- 9 hours of testing over a day and a half, in three sessions of 3 hours each (two on day one, one on day two).
- Each session contains about 40 standalone multiple-choice questions, two integrated question sets and one performance task.
- Integrated question sets give you one scenario, sometimes with documents, and ask a series of linked questions: some multiple-choice, some short written answers.
- Performance tasks give you a client matter and legal resources, and ask you to produce work such as an analysis or a draft.
There's no separate essay exam like the MEE. Writing is assessed through the integrated sets and performance tasks.
What's tested on NextGen?
NextGen tests foundational concepts and principles in Civil Procedure, Contract Law, Evidence, Torts, Business Associations, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Real Property. From July 2028, Family Law is added to that list. Until then, family law and trusts and estates appear in performance tasks or integrated sets, with legal resources provided.
It also tests foundational lawyering skills, including legal research, legal writing, issue spotting and analysis, investigation and evaluation, client counselling and advising, negotiation and dispute resolution, and client relationship management.
What happens to New York's own law component?
New York will keep a New York-specific component alongside NextGen. At the moment, that requirement is met by completing the New York Law Course and passing the New York Law Exam. The Court of Appeals has asked a committee to develop options for a more robust New York requirement, possibly including an in-person component. NCBE currently lists New York's NextGen passing score and state requirement as "to be announced", so check the Board of Law Examiners' website for updates.
How should you prepare differently for NextGen?
Practise short written answers with materials in front of you. Integrated sets reward answering precisely from the facts and the resources provided, not writing everything you know.
Treat performance tasks as a core skill, not an afterthought. About a third of the exam time goes on performance tasks. Practise reading a file quickly, finding what the supervising lawyer actually wants, and producing it in the right format.
Keep multiple-choice practice central. Standalone multiple-choice questions still take a large share of the exam time, so doctrinal accuracy still matters.
Use NCBE's official samples. NCBE publishes sample multiple-choice questions, integrated question sets and performance tasks. Do them under timed conditions before you rely on any commercial materials.
What stays the same?
It's easy to focus on what's new and forget how much carries over:
- Most of the core law is the same. Contracts, torts, civil procedure, evidence, criminal law, constitutional law, real property and business associations are central to both exams. Time spent learning them properly is never wasted, whichever exam you sit.
- Multiple-choice questions still matter. Standalone multiple-choice questions take up a large share of NextGen exam time, so the habit of reading a fact pattern quickly and choosing the best answer remains essential.
- Writing still matters. NextGen drops the separate essay exam, but you still write: short answers in integrated question sets and longer work product in performance tasks.
- New York's own requirements stay. As well as the exam, New York has admission requirements of its own, including the state law component. It also has requirements such as the MPRE and pro bono work. Check the Board of Law Examiners' current rules for your situation.
Should you aim to sit before or after the switch?
For most candidates, the honest answer is: sit at the first administration you can be properly ready for. Your graduation date and visa or work plans usually decide it anyway. If you do have a choice, weigh these points:
- Familiarity. The UBE has been around for years, so there is a large volume of practice material for it. NextGen is newer, and while NCBE publishes official samples, the bank of realistic practice is still growing.
- Your strengths. If you're strong at practical, task-based work, such as drafting, analysing files and following instructions, NextGen's performance tasks may suit you. If you're stronger at classic essay writing, the MEE may feel more natural.
- Score transfer. If you might want to practise in other jurisdictions, check which exam scores they accept and when.
- Resits. If you sit in February 2028 and need to resit, your next attempt in New York will be NextGen. Build a plan that would carry over if needed.
A sample week of NextGen preparation
Once you're in the practice phase, a balanced week might look like this:
- Monday: 60 timed multiple-choice questions, then review every wrong answer.
- Tuesday: two integrated question sets under time, then compare your short answers with model answers line by line.
- Wednesday: one performance task in 60 minutes, then a full review of how you used the file and library.
- Thursday: doctrinal review of your weakest subject, plus 30 targeted multiple-choice questions.
- Friday: a full three-hour mixed session at exam pace.
- Saturday: catch-up and light review.
- Sunday: rest. Stamina is part of the exam.
Practical dates for New York candidates
New York's application filing periods are 1–31 March for the July exam and 1–31 October for the February exam. If you're thinking about sitting NextGen in another jurisdiction before July 2028 and transferring the score to New York, read the Board of Law Examiners' guidance on transfer scores first.
Where to start
If you're sitting the UBE before the switch, the Bar Squad (UBE) gives you a graded essay every week, MBE practice and monthly performance tests. If you're sitting in July 2028 or later, join the NextGen waitlist and we'll let you know when NextGen squads open.
Frequently asked questions
When does New York switch to the NextGen bar exam?
From the July 2028 administration. The New York State Court of Appeals announced the change on 8 January 2025.
Is the MEE ending?
Yes. NCBE has said the current exam (MBE, MEE and MPT) will be available to jurisdictions through the February 2028 administration. NextGen replaces separate components with one integrated exam.
Is the NextGen bar exam shorter?
Yes. NextGen takes 9 hours over a day and a half, compared with about 12 hours over two days for the current exam.
Will New York still require the New York Law Exam?
New York will keep a New York law component. It's currently met by the New York Law Course and the New York Law Exam, and the Court of Appeals is considering a more robust requirement, possibly in person. Check the Board of Law Examiners for the current rules.
Can foreign-trained lawyers sit the New York bar?
Some can, depending on their legal education. Eligibility is decided by the New York State Board of Law Examiners, so check with the Board before you plan your prep.