When Does Michigan 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
- 268
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Michigan still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 268 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 Michigan 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.
Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan Board of Law Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Michigan deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Michigan 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 Nov. 1; late filing deadline Dec. 15.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline March 1; late filing deadline May 15. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $400 (plus C&F fee)
- Attorneys
- $400 (plus C&F fee)
- Repeaters
- $300
- 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.
$775 fee for non-attorneys does not include fingerprint fee.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: TBA from TBA, minimum TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 268).
- Maximum score age: 3 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: TBA.
MPRE: required, minimum score 85.
Michigan Board of Law Examiners. P.O. Box 30052 Lansing, MI 48909-7552 Phone: (517) 373-4453 Fax: (517) 373-5038 Email: BLE-Info@courts.mi.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.
Michigan FAQs
Quick answers
When does Michigan 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 Michigan Board of Law Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Michigan?
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 Michigan publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Michigan?
Yes — Michigan requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Michigan before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Michigan's cut score is 268 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 Michigan?
Nov. 1, with a late filing deadline of Dec. 15, per NCBE's listing for Michigan. The February 2027 sitting in Michigan is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Michigan Board of Law Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the Michigan bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $400 (plus C&F fee) for first-time takers, $400 (plus C&F fee) for attorneys and $300 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 Michigan accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Not announced yet. Check NCBE's decisions page or the board for updates.
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