When Does Ohio 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
- 620
- on the 500–750 scale
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 270
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Ohio specifics: Accepts transferred NextGen scores from Nov 2026, ahead of its Jul 2028 first administration.
Ohio still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 270 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 Ohio 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.
Ohio has already announced its NextGen passing score: 620 on the 500–750 scale.
Adoption status sourced from NCBE’s decisions-by-jurisdiction page, NCBE’s Ohio 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 Office of Bar Admissions Supreme Court of Ohio — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Ohio deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Ohio 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. 10.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline April 1; late filing deadline May 10. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $452
- Attorneys
- $452
- Repeaters
- $452
- Laptop
- $121
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 November 2026, minimum 620.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 270); the legacy UBE runs in Ohio through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 5 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: TBA.
MPRE: required, minimum score 85.
Office of Bar Admissions Supreme Court of Ohio. 65 S. Front St., 5th Fl. Columbus, OH 43215-3431 Phone: (614) 387-9340 Fax: (614) 387-9349
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.
Ohio FAQs
Quick answers
When does Ohio 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 Office of Bar Admissions Supreme Court of Ohio, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Ohio?
620 on the 500–750 scale.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Ohio?
Yes — Ohio requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Ohio before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Ohio's cut score is 270 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 Ohio?
Nov. 1, with a late filing deadline of Dec. 10, per NCBE's listing for Ohio. The February 2027 sitting in Ohio is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Office of Bar Admissions Supreme Court of Ohio before relying on it.
How much does the Ohio bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $452 for first-time takers, $452 for attorneys and $452 for repeaters, plus $121 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 Ohio accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from November 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 620. Scores must be no older than 5 years.
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