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Change and reform are happening to the bar exam. No, it’s not being abolished. Put those dreams back in the drawer.

But the Uniform Bar Exam is changing into something else… the NextGen Bar Exam. It’s more “skills-focused” and less about memorizing random rules.

Two main categories of change: question types and subjects.

Question types: Depending on when and where you’re taking the bar exam, you’ll encounter the MBE, MEE, and MPT via the current UBE through February 2028. Business as usual if you’re taking the legacy exam.

After that, starting July 2028, no jurisdiction will administer the legacy UBE.

It will be fully replaced by the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam, which will test multiple-choice questions (MCQ), integrated question sets (IQS), and performance tasks (PT). More on the different question types and sample questions here. I’ll also go over some sample questions below.

Subjects: “What do I need to know for the NextGen UBE? (And the current UBE?)”

This might be confusing, so here’s the scoop (and a timeline graphic)…

It was a long journey for “SC” who took the California Bar Exam multiple times…

But she always got back up to finish the job.

It wasn’t only that each step took her closer to success. Sometimes you have to prove yourself to the world. What’s your motivation?

When SC asked whether it was realistic to go for July 2024 while working, I said it was realistic but challenging.

SC didn’t end up passing the July exam but finally passed the February 2025 exam!

What did she do to finally get over that threshold?

Richard passed the February 2025 Illinois Bar Exam (UBE) with a score of 283 on his second attempt.

Now he can practice in 41 jurisdictions in the U.S.

Let’s see how Richard added 28 points to his score, going from ineligible to practice anywhere to eligible in any UBE state.

Manfred passed the 2024 July California Bar Exam on his first try.

💬 “I passed as a first-time taker thanks to you!”

The story he sent in about his study process was a complete story arc, a great reminder of how to pair memorization and practice, and how to navigate the plateau that you’re sure to experience.

He started with a typical approach, starting right after graduation and using Barbri.

💬 “I am a K-JD who graduated from UCLA Law this past May. Due to my circumstances (like having plenty of time to study), I did fairly well in law school. I knew what the Bar would be like structurally due to prior exposure, and I knew that I would expect to be studying around 8 hours a day, every day, for at least two months. I started studying for the California Bar basically the week right after commencement.”

Let’s see how he did it.

Saurabh attempted the California Bar Exam three times since 2019. Then he passed the 2024 July exam.

💬 “This was my third attempt.

2019 was first. Which I had combined with another trip I had to take to US.

Then covid happened and there was a gap and I was not confident about exam prep.

Plus full time job. I gave again in July 2023, where I scored pretty close to passing.”

How did he manage to pass this time?

There are clear themes that you’ll find useful whether you’re a first timer or especially if you’re a repeater.