When Does Kentucky Switch to the NextGen Bar Exam?
- Exam today
- Administers the legacy UBE today
- First NextGen administration
- July 2027
- July 27–28, 2027
- NextGen passing score
- 616
- on the 500–750 scale
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 266
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Kentucky still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 266 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 Kentucky 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.
Kentucky has already announced its NextGen passing score: 616 on the 500–750 scale.
Adoption status sourced from NCBE’s decisions-by-jurisdiction page, NCBE’s Kentucky 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 Kentucky Office of Bar Admissions — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Kentucky deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Kentucky 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 Dec. 10.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline Feb. 1; late filing deadline Mar. 10 / May 10. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $875 / $1,125 / $1,375
- Attorneys
- $1,200 / $1,450 / $1,700
- Repeaters
- $325
- Laptop
- fee varies
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.
Fees vary depending on the deadline by which application is filed.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2026, minimum 616.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 266); the legacy UBE runs in Kentucky through February 2027.
- Maximum score age: 5 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: No.
MPRE: required, minimum score 80.
Kentucky Office of Bar Admissions. 1510 Newtown Pike, Ste. 156 Lexington, KY 40511-1255 Phone: (859) 246-2381 Fax: (859) 246-2385 Email: info@kyoba.org
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.
Kentucky FAQs
Quick answers
When does Kentucky first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2027 — the administration runs July 27–28, 2027. Registration windows are set by the Kentucky Office of Bar Admissions, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Kentucky?
616 on the 500–750 scale.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Kentucky?
Yes — Kentucky requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Kentucky before July 2027?
The legacy UBE, where Kentucky'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 Kentucky?
Oct. 1, with a late filing deadline of Dec. 10, per NCBE's listing for Kentucky. The February 2027 sitting in Kentucky is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Kentucky Office of Bar Admissions before relying on it.
How much does the Kentucky bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $875 / $1,125 / $1,375 for first-time takers, $1,200 / $1,450 / $1,700 for attorneys and $325 for repeaters, plus fee varies 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 Kentucky accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 616. Scores must be no older than 5 years.
Also first offering NextGen in July 2027
- Arizona
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Get a free study plan built around Kentucky’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.