When Does Massachusetts 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
- 620
- on the 500–750 scale
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 270
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Massachusetts specifics: State component planned, details TBD.
Massachusetts still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 270 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 Massachusetts 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.
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Massachusetts deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Massachusetts 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 At least 75 days; no late filing period listed.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline At least 75 days. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Filing deadline is approximately 75 days prior to the exam; the date is set when the application is made available. No official late filing deadlines; bar applications are filed with the Court, and late filings must be allowed by the Court.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $815
- Attorneys
- $815
- Repeaters
- $815
- Laptop
- $175
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 620.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 270); the legacy UBE runs in Massachusetts through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 5 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: Yes.
MPRE: required, minimum score 85.
Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners. John Adams Courthouse One Pemberton Square, Suite 5-140 Boston, MA 2108 Phone: (617) 482-4466 Fax: (617) 542-5943 Email: info@bbe.state.ma.us
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.
Massachusetts FAQs
Quick answers
When does Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Massachusetts?
620 on the 500–750 scale.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Massachusetts?
Yes — Massachusetts requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Massachusetts before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Massachusetts's cut score is 270 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 Massachusetts?
At least 75 days, per NCBE's listing for Massachusetts. The February 2027 sitting in Massachusetts is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the Massachusetts bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $815 for first-time takers, $815 for attorneys and $815 for repeaters, plus $175 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 Massachusetts accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 620. Scores must be no older than 5 years.
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