When Does New York 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 York specifics: NYLC + NYLE + 50-hr pro bono + skills requirement; no NextGen transfers before Jul 2028.
New York 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 York 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 York 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 York 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 York State Board of Law Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
New York deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s New York 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; no late filing period listed.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline March 31. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Applications must be received between November 1 and 30 for February exam and between April 1 and 30 for July exam.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $250 / $750
- Attorneys
- $250 / $750
- Repeaters
- $250 / $750
- 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.
The bar exam fee for non-attorneys is $250 for applicants qualifying on the basis of a first degree in law from an ABA-approved law school, law office study, or a combination of a first degree in law from an unapproved law school in the United States and practice; the fee is $750 for applicants qualifying on the basis of a foreign law school study. There is also a separate $375 attorney registration fee that must be paid prior to admission and every 2 years thereafter.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2028, minimum TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 266); the legacy UBE runs in New York through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 3 years.
New York will not accept NextGen transfer scores from any NextGen examination administered prior to July 2028. Candidates seeking admission to the bar in New York should consider this in determining which bar examination they sit for from July 2026 through February 2028.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: TBA.
MPRE: required, minimum score 85.
New York State Board of Law Examiners. Corporate Plaza, Bldg. #3 254 Washington Ave. Extension Albany, NY 12203 Phone: (518) 453-5990 Fax: (518) 452-5729
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 York FAQs
Quick answers
When does New York 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 York State Board of Law Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in New York?
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 York publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in New York?
Yes — New York requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in New York before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where New York'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 York?
Oct. 31, per NCBE's listing for New York. The February 2027 sitting in New York is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the New York State Board of Law Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the New York bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $250 / $750 for first-time takers, $250 / $750 for attorneys and $250 / $750 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 New York accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2028, at a minimum transferred score of TBA. Scores must be no older than 3 years. New York will not accept NextGen transfer scores from any NextGen examination administered prior to July 2028. Candidates seeking admission to the bar in New York should consider this in determining which bar examination they sit for from July 2026 through February 2028.
Get a free study plan built around New York’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.