When Does New Jersey 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
- 266
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
New Jersey specifics: PR course accepted in lieu of MPRE.
New Jersey still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 266 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 New Jersey 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.
New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
New Jersey deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s New Jersey 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. 31; late filing deadline Nov. 15 / Nov. 30.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline March 31; late filing deadline April 15 / April 30. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $675
- Attorneys
- $675
- Repeaters
- $675
- 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.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: TBA from TBA, minimum TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 266); the legacy UBE runs in New Jersey through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 36 months.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: No.
MPRE: required, minimum score 75.
New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners. P.O. Box 973 Trenton, NJ 08625-0973 Phone: (609) 815-2911 Fax: (609) 815-2913
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.
New Jersey FAQs
Quick answers
When does New Jersey 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 New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in New Jersey?
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 New Jersey publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in New Jersey?
Yes — New Jersey requires the MPRE. Note: PR course accepted in lieu of MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in New Jersey before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where New Jersey'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 New Jersey?
Oct. 31, with a late filing deadline of Nov. 15 / Nov. 30, per NCBE's listing for New Jersey. The February 2027 sitting in New Jersey is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the New Jersey bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $675 for first-time takers, $675 for attorneys and $675 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 New Jersey accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Not announced yet. Check NCBE's decisions page or the board for updates.
Get a free study plan built around New Jersey’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.