When Does Wisconsin 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
- 260
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Not required
Wisconsin specifics: UBE jurisdiction per NCBE (legacy UBE through Feb 2028, cut score 260); diploma privilege for Marquette/UW–Madison grads; MPRE not required.
Wisconsin still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 260 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 Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Wisconsin deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Wisconsin 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 Dec. 1; late filing deadline Jan. 1.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline May 1; late filing deadline June 1. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $450 / $850
- Attorneys
- $450 / $850
- Repeaters
- $450
- Laptop
- $163
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: TBA from TBA, minimum TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 260); the legacy UBE runs in Wisconsin through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 36 months.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: TBA.
MPRE: not required.
Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners. P.O. Box 2748 Madison, WI 53701-2748 Phone: (608) 266-9760 Fax: (608) 266-1196 Email: bbe@wicourts.gov
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.
Wisconsin FAQs
Quick answers
When does Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Wisconsin?
No — Wisconsin does not require the MPRE. Context: UBE jurisdiction per NCBE (legacy UBE through Feb 2028, cut score 260); diploma privilege for Marquette/UW–Madison grads; MPRE not required.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Wisconsin before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Wisconsin'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 Wisconsin?
Dec. 1, with a late filing deadline of Jan. 1, per NCBE's listing for Wisconsin. The February 2027 sitting in Wisconsin is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the Wisconsin bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $450 / $850 for first-time takers, $450 / $850 for attorneys and $450 for repeaters, plus $163 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 Wisconsin accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Not announced yet. Check NCBE's decisions page or the board for updates.
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