When Does Kansas Switch to the NextGen Bar Exam?
- Exam today
- Administers the legacy UBE today
- First NextGen administration
- July 2028
- July 25–26, 2028 (expected; NCBE has not published this date yet)
- NextGen passing score
- TBA
- NCBE recommends 610–620
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 266
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Kansas still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 266 on the 400-point scale. Its first NextGen administration is July 2028 — July 25–26, 2028 (expected; NCBE has not published this date yet).
That date decides which exam you study for. Candidates sitting in Kansas before July 2028 take the current exam; from July 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.
Kansas has not announced its NextGen passing score yet. NCBE recommends setting it between 610 and 620 on the 500–750 scale — a sensible planning target in the meantime.
Adoption status sourced from NCBE’s decisions-by-jurisdiction page, NCBE’s Kansas 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 Kansas Board of Law Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Kansas deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Kansas 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 Oct. 1; late filing deadline Nov. 1.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline March 1; late filing deadline April 1. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $700
- Attorneys
- $700
- Repeaters
- $700
- Laptop
- $0
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.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2026, minimum Varies.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 266); the legacy UBE runs in Kansas through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 5 years.
For admission by transferred score, the minimum passing NextGen UBE score accepted for admission in Kansas is the minimum passing NextGen UBE score in the jurisdiction where the applicant took the NextGen UBE.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: No.
MPRE: required, minimum score 80.
Kansas Board of Law Examiners. Kansas Judicial Center 301 SW 10th Avenue, 1st Fl. Topeka, KS 66612-1507 Phone: (785) 296-8410 Fax: (785) 296-1028 Email: admissions@kscourts.gov
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.
Kansas FAQs
Quick answers
When does Kansas first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2028 — the administration runs July 25–26, 2028 (expected; NCBE has not published this date yet). Registration windows are set by the Kansas Board of Law Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Kansas?
Not announced yet. NCBE recommends jurisdictions set passing between 610 and 620 on the 500–750 scale, so treat 615 as a planning midpoint until Kansas publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Kansas?
Yes — Kansas requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Kansas before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Kansas'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 Kansas?
Oct. 1, with a late filing deadline of Nov. 1, per NCBE's listing for Kansas. The February 2027 sitting in Kansas is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Kansas Board of Law Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the Kansas bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $700 for first-time takers, $700 for attorneys and $700 for repeaters, plus $0 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 Kansas accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of Varies. Scores must be no older than 5 years. For admission by transferred score, the minimum passing NextGen UBE score accepted for admission in Kansas is the minimum passing NextGen UBE score in the jurisdiction where the applicant took the NextGen UBE.
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