When Does Oklahoma 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
Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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.
Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners Oklahoma Bar Center — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Oklahoma deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Oklahoma 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 Sept. 3; late filing deadline Oct. 1 / Nov. 1.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline Feb. 1; late filing deadline March 1 / April 1. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Repeat exam application late filing deadlines are December 15 for February exam and May 15 for July exam.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $650 (plus C&F fee)
- Attorneys
- $1,250 (plus C&F fee)
- Repeaters
- $650 (plus C&F fee)
- 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.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2026, minimum TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 260); the legacy UBE runs in Oklahoma through February 2027.
- Maximum score age: 3 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: No.
MPRE: required, minimum score 80.
Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners Oklahoma Bar Center. 1901 N. Lincoln Blvd. P.O. Box 53036 Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3036 Phone: (405) 416-7075 Fax: (405) 528-4103
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.
Oklahoma FAQs
Quick answers
When does Oklahoma first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2027 — the administration runs July 27–28, 2027. Registration windows are set by the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners Oklahoma Bar Center, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Oklahoma?
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 Oklahoma publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Oklahoma?
Yes — Oklahoma requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Oklahoma before July 2027?
The legacy UBE, where Oklahoma'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 Oklahoma?
Sept. 3, with a late filing deadline of Oct. 1 / Nov. 1, per NCBE's listing for Oklahoma. The February 2027 sitting in Oklahoma is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners Oklahoma Bar Center before relying on it.
How much does the Oklahoma bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $650 (plus C&F fee) for first-time takers, $1,250 (plus C&F fee) for attorneys and $650 (plus C&F fee) 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 Oklahoma 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 July 2027
- Arizona
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
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