When Does Pennsylvania 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
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Pennsylvania deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Pennsylvania 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. 30; late filing deadline Nov. 30 / Dec. 15.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline March 31; late filing deadline April 30 / May 15. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $750
- Attorneys
- $750
- Repeaters
- $750
- Laptop
- $115
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 620.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 270); the legacy UBE runs in Pennsylvania through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 30 months.
The Board will accept UBE transfer scores from the current version of the exam and the new version during the transition to the new version. The minimum score required for the NextGen exam is yet to be announced.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: No.
MPRE: required, minimum score 75.
Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners. 601 Commonwealth Ave., Ste. 3600 P.O. Box 62535 Harrisburg, PA 17106-2535 Phone: (717) 231-3350 Fax: (717) 231-3351
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.
Pennsylvania FAQs
Quick answers
When does Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Pennsylvania?
620 on the 500–750 scale.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Pennsylvania?
Yes — Pennsylvania requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Pennsylvania before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania?
Oct. 30, with a late filing deadline of Nov. 30 / Dec. 15, per NCBE's listing for Pennsylvania. The February 2027 sitting in Pennsylvania is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the Pennsylvania bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $750 for first-time takers, $750 for attorneys and $750 for repeaters, plus $115 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 Pennsylvania accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 620. Scores must be no older than 30 months. The Board will accept UBE transfer scores from the current version of the exam and the new version during the transition to the new version. The minimum score required for the NextGen exam is yet to be announced.
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