When Does Minnesota 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
- TBA
- NCBE recommends 610–620
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 260
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Minnesota specifics: Court guarantees 620+ passes regardless of final cut.
Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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.
Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota State Board of Law Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Minnesota deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Minnesota 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. 5; late filing deadline Dec. 1.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline March 16; late filing deadline May 1. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $600
- Attorneys
- $1,050
- Repeaters
- $600
- Laptop
- $100
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 260); the legacy UBE runs in Minnesota through February 2027.
- Maximum score age: 36 months.
Minnesota has not yet set their passing NextGen UBE score, but the Court has indicated that those with a score of 620 or higher will not need to wait for the score to be set. Once Minnesota has established the score, all qualifying scores (including those obtained on the July 2026 exam) will be accepted.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: No.
MPRE: required, minimum score 85.
Minnesota State Board of Law Examiners. Minnesota Judicial Center 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ste. 110 St. Paul, MN 55155 Phone: (651) 297-1857 Fax: (651) 297-1196 Email: ble@mbcle.state.mn.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.
Minnesota FAQs
Quick answers
When does Minnesota first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2027 — the administration runs July 27–28, 2027. Registration windows are set by the Minnesota State Board of Law Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Minnesota?
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 Minnesota publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Minnesota?
Yes — Minnesota requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Minnesota before July 2027?
The legacy UBE, where Minnesota's cut score is 260 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 Minnesota?
Oct. 5, with a late filing deadline of Dec. 1, per NCBE's listing for Minnesota. The February 2027 sitting in Minnesota is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Minnesota State Board of Law Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the Minnesota bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $600 for first-time takers, $1,050 for attorneys and $600 for repeaters, plus $100 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 Minnesota accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 620. Scores must be no older than 36 months. Minnesota has not yet set their passing NextGen UBE score, but the Court has indicated that those with a score of 620 or higher will not need to wait for the score to be set. Once Minnesota has established the score, all qualifying scores (including those obtained on the July 2026 exam) will be accepted.
Also first offering NextGen in July 2027
- Arizona
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
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