When Does Montana Switch to the NextGen Bar Exam?
- Exam today
- Administers the legacy UBE today
- First NextGen administration
- February 2028
- February 22–23, 2028
- NextGen passing score
- TBA
- NCBE recommends 610–620
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 266
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Montana specifics: Adoption announced Jul 2026; joins the Feb 2028 wave.
Montana still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 266 on the 400-point scale. Its first NextGen administration is February 2028 — February 22–23, 2028.
That date decides which exam you study for. Candidates sitting in Montana before February 2028 take the current exam; from February 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.
Montana 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 Montana 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 State Bar of Montana — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Montana deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Montana 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; no late filing period listed.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline March 15. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
There are no specific allowances for late filing, and all late applicants are required to petition the Supreme Court for permission.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $620 (plus C&F fee)
- Attorneys
- $875
- Repeaters
- $310
- Laptop
- $125
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 listed include the cost of application, examination, and the Montana Law Seminar.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2026, minimum TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 266); the legacy UBE runs in Montana through July 2027.
- Maximum score age: 3 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: Yes.
MPRE: required, minimum score 80.
State Bar of Montana. 33 South Last Chance Gulch, Ste. 1B Helena, MT 59624 Phone: (406) 447-2210 Fax: (406) 442-7763
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.
Montana FAQs
Quick answers
When does Montana first offer the NextGen bar exam?
February 2028 — the administration runs February 22–23, 2028. Registration windows are set by the State Bar of Montana, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Montana?
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 Montana publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Montana?
Yes — Montana requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Montana before February 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Montana'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 Montana?
Oct. 1, per NCBE's listing for Montana. The February 2027 sitting in Montana is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the State Bar of Montana before relying on it.
How much does the Montana bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $620 (plus C&F fee) for first-time takers, $875 for attorneys and $310 for repeaters, plus $125 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 Montana accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of TBA. Scores must be no older than 3 years.
Also first offering NextGen in February 2028
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