When Does Illinois Switch to the NextGen Bar Exam?
- Exam today
- Administers the legacy UBE today
- First NextGen administration
- February 2028
- February 22–23, 2028
- NextGen passing score
- 620
- on the 500–750 scale
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 266
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Illinois still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 266 on the 400-point scale. Its first NextGen administration is February 2028 — February 22–23, 2028.
That date decides which exam you study for. Candidates sitting in Illinois before February 2028 take the current exam; from February 2028 onward, the NextGen format applies. If your timeline could cross the switch — say a first attempt on the old exam and a retake after — factor in that the two formats reward different preparation.
Illinois has already announced its NextGen passing score: 620 on the 500–750 scale.
Adoption status sourced from NCBE’s decisions-by-jurisdiction page, NCBE’s Illinois listing and its 2026 Comprehensive Guide (Charts 7 and 17), checked on September 20, 2026. Registration windows, fees, and character & fitness requirements are set by the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Illinois deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Illinois listing and its 2026 Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, checked on September 20, 2026. Boards change these without notice, so treat the board’s own site as the final word.
Application deadlines
- February 2027 exam (legacy UBE)
- First filing deadline Sept. 15; late filing deadline Nov. 30.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline Feb. 15; late filing deadline April 30. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $1,200–$1,875
- Attorneys
- $1,200–$1,875
- Repeaters
- $650 – $1,125
- Laptop
- $135
As listed in NCBE’s 2026 Comprehensive Guide (Chart 7). Where more than one amount appears, the tier depends on filing date or applicant category. NCBE also charges a separate $149 technology fee for the NextGen UBE, paid through the NCBE account.
Bar exam fee is based on whether or not the applicant has previously filed an Illinois application, is repeating the exam, or was absent from an exam. Fee ranges from $950 to $1,450, except for repeaters, for whom range is $500 to $850. Repeater deadline ranges are November 1 to December 15 for the February exam, and May 1 to May 15 for the July exam.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2026, minimum 620.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 266); the legacy UBE runs in Illinois through July 2027.
- Maximum score age: 4 years.
Beginning with the July 2026 administration, Illinois shall accept for transfer passing scores attained on the NextGen UBE in other jurisdictions, at or above a threshold score to be determined at a later date, for purposes of admission to the Illinois bar.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: No.
MPRE: required, minimum score 80.
Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar. 625 S. College St. Springfield, IL 62704-2521 Phone: (217) 522-5917 Fax: (217) 522-3728
Preparing for the NextGen format
The NextGen exam tests 8 foundational subjects through three item types — standalone MCQs (including 6-option select-two), integrated question sets, and performance tasks. BARGO covers all three with exam-format practice, honest availability per subject, and a free diagnostic to find your baseline.
Illinois FAQs
Quick answers
When does Illinois first offer the NextGen bar exam?
February 2028 — the administration runs February 22–23, 2028. Registration windows are set by the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Illinois?
620 on the 500–750 scale.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Illinois?
Yes — Illinois requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Illinois before February 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Illinois's cut score is 266 on the 400-point scale. The legacy UBE's final administration nationwide is February 2028.
When is the application deadline for the February 2027 bar exam in Illinois?
Sept. 15, with a late filing deadline of Nov. 30, per NCBE's listing for Illinois. The February 2027 sitting in Illinois is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar before relying on it.
How much does the Illinois bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $1,200–$1,875 for first-time takers, $1,200–$1,875 for attorneys and $650 – $1,125 for repeaters, plus $135 to use a laptop. Where more than one amount is listed, the tier depends on filing date or applicant category. Fees change, so the board's own schedule is authoritative.
Does Illinois accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 620. Scores must be no older than 4 years. Beginning with the July 2026 administration, Illinois shall accept for transfer passing scores attained on the NextGen UBE in other jurisdictions, at or above a threshold score to be determined at a later date, for purposes of admission to the Illinois bar.
Also first offering NextGen in February 2028
Get a free study plan built around Illinois’s dates
Pick your administration and weekly hours — we’ll email a week-by-week schedule covering every NCBE-scope topic. No account needed.
Ready to start preparing?
One-time payment. Pick the plan that fits your timeline. Start with the free readiness quiz.