When Does Texas 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
- 270
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Texas specifics: NextGen state component: TX procedure/evidence, family, wills, property.
Texas 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 Texas 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.
Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas Board of Law Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Texas deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Texas 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 Sep. 1; late filing deadline Nov. 1 / Dec. 1.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline Feb. 1; late filing deadline April 1 / May 1. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $450 / $640 / $1,290
- Attorneys
- $1,190 / $1,290
- Repeaters
- $545
- Laptop
- $140
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 for non-attorneys is $300 for Texas law students; $490 for out-of-state law students (out-of-state students do not pay law student registration fee of $190); $1,140 for foreign-educated non-attorneys. Bar exam fee for attorneys is $1,040 for attorneys licensed in another state; $1,140 for foreign attorneys. Fees for laptop users include $80 license fee paid to the software provider and $50 fee paid to the Texas Board of Law Examiners.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2026, minimum TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 270); the legacy UBE runs in Texas through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 5 years.
Texas plans to accept scores in July 2026 and will update this policy when a decision is made.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: Yes. The Texas Law Component will cover trusts and guardianship; wills and administration; civil procedure; criminal law and criminal procedure; family law; and real property law, including oil and gas.
MPRE: required, minimum score 85.
Texas Board of Law Examiners. 205 W. 14th St., #500 P.O. Box 13486 Austin, TX 78711-3486 Phone: (512) 463-1621 Fax: (512) 463-5300
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.
Texas FAQs
Quick answers
When does Texas 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 Texas Board of Law Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Texas?
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 Texas publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Texas?
Yes — Texas requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Texas before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Texas'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 Texas?
Sep. 1, with a late filing deadline of Nov. 1 / Dec. 1, per NCBE's listing for Texas. The February 2027 sitting in Texas is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Texas Board of Law Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the Texas bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $450 / $640 / $1,290 for first-time takers, $1,190 / $1,290 for attorneys and $545 for repeaters, plus $140 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 Texas accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of TBA. Scores must be no older than 5 years. Texas plans to accept scores in July 2026 and will update this policy when a decision is made.
What is the Texas-specific requirement for NextGen admission?
The Texas Law Component will cover trusts and guardianship; wills and administration; civil procedure; criminal law and criminal procedure; family law; and real property law, including oil and gas.
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