When Does South Carolina 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
South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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.
South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
South Carolina deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s South Carolina 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 Aug. 31; late filing deadline Sep. 30.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline Jan. 10; late filing deadline Jan. 31. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $1,000 / $1,500
- Attorneys
- $1,000 / $1,500 + $750
- Repeaters
- $1,000 / $1,500
- Laptop
- $125.50
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.
Bar exam fee prior to first deadline is $1,000; bar exam fee prior to second deadline is $1,500. Any examinee who has been admitted to practice in another jurisdiction for more than 1 year must pay the bar exam fee plus $750.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: TBA from TBA, minimum TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 266); the legacy UBE runs in South Carolina through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 3 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: TBA.
MPRE: required, minimum score 77.
South Carolina Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners. 1231 Gervais St. P.O. Box 11330 Columbia, SC 29211 Phone: (803) 734-1317 Fax: (803) 734-0394
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.
South Carolina FAQs
Quick answers
When does South Carolina 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 South Carolina Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in South Carolina?
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 South Carolina publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in South Carolina?
Yes — South Carolina requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in South Carolina before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where South Carolina'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 South Carolina?
Aug. 31, with a late filing deadline of Sep. 30, per NCBE's listing for South Carolina. The February 2027 sitting in South Carolina is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the South Carolina Supreme Court Board of Law Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the South Carolina bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $1,000 / $1,500 for first-time takers, $1,000 / $1,500 + $750 for attorneys and $1,000 / $1,500 for repeaters, plus $125.50 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 South Carolina accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Not announced yet. Check NCBE's decisions page or the board for updates.
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