Iowa specifics: Cut lowered from 266 effective Jul 2026.
Iowa still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 260 on the 400-point scale. Its first NextGen administration is July 2027 — July 27–28, 2027.
That date decides which exam you study for. Candidates sitting in Iowa before July 2027 take the current exam; from July 2027 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.
Iowa has already announced its NextGen passing score: 610 on the 500–750 scale.
Adoption status sourced from NCBE’s decisions-by-jurisdiction page. Registration windows, fees, and character & fitness requirements are set by the Iowa board of bar examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
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.
Iowa FAQs
July 2027 — the administration runs July 27–28, 2027. Registration windows are set by the Iowa board of bar examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
610 on the 500–750 scale.
Yes — Iowa requires the MPRE.
The legacy UBE, where Iowa's cut score is 260 on the 400-point scale. The legacy UBE's final administration nationwide is February 2028.
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