News/Resources
Here you will find helpful information for bar candidates, jurisdictions, the bar admissions community, the legal education community, and media/press.
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Press Release
Arizona Announces Plan to Adopt NextGen Bar Exam in July 2027
Arizona is among the first jurisdictions to announce that it will administer the NextGen bar exam, which will replace the exam currently used to license attorneys across the US. The Grand Canyon State will join six other jurisdictions that have announced their intent to adopt the new exam: Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, and Wyoming. Arizona will first administer the NextGen exam in July 2027.
Press Release
Iowa Announces Plan to Adopt NextGen Bar Exam
Iowa is among the first jurisdictions to announce that it will administer the NextGen bar exam, which will replace the exam currently used to license attorneys across the US. Iowa will join five other jurisdictions that recently announced their intent to adopt the new exam: Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, and Wyoming. Iowa will first administer the NextGen exam in July 2027.
Press Release
First Jurisdictions Announce Plans to Adopt NextGen Bar Exam
Five jurisdictions are the first to announce that they intend to administer a new bar exam, which will replace the licensure test currently given to aspiring attorneys across the US. Bar admission agencies in Maryland, Missouri, and Oregon intend to first administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2026. Wyoming intends to first administer the exam in July 2027. Connecticut has not yet finalized its first administration date.
Press Release
NCBE Announces Update to NextGen Exam Content, Extends Availability of Current Bar Exam
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) announced today two important changes to plans for the NextGen bar exam, which is currently under development and will launch in July 2026.
Press Release
Hon. Mary R. Russell Elected to the Board of Trustees of the National Conference of Bar Examiners
Hon. Mary R. Russell has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). NCBE develops the licensing tests used by most states for admission to the bar.
Press Release
John McAlary Elected Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Conference of Bar Examiners
John McAlary has been elected Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). NCBE develops the licensing tests used by most states for admission to the bar.
Press Release
NCBE Releases National Mean for August 2023 MPRE
The national mean scaled score for the August 2023 MPRE was 96.9, 0.9 points higher than the August 2022 mean of 96.0. The August 2023 mean reflects the performance of 19,005 examinees, 786 more than the August 2022 examinee count of 18,219.
Press Release
NCBE Announces National Mean for July 2023 MBE
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) announced today that the national mean scaled score for the July 2023 Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) was 140.5, an increase of about 0.2 points compared to the July 2022 mean of 140.3.
Press Release
NCBE Announces NextGen Exam Structure, Sunset of Current Bar Exam
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) announced today the planned duration and structure of the NextGen bar exam and the date by which the current bar exam will officially sunset. The NextGen exam is currently under development and will launch in July 2026.
Press Release
Andreas Oranje Appointed Managing Director of Assessment Programs at NCBE
Andreas Oranje joined the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) on March 31 as Managing Director of Assessment Programs. Oranje leads NCBE’s development and implementation of the next generation of the bar exam.
Press Release
Some Subjects to Be Removed from MEE in 2026
Effective with the July 2026 bar exam, the following subjects will no longer be tested on the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE): Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Trusts and Estates, and Secured Transactions.
Press Release
NCBE Publishes First Samples of New Question Types for NextGen Bar Exam
In October 2023, NCBE announced that family law would be added to the list of foundational concepts and principles tested on the NextGen bar exam beginning with the July 2028 administration.
Press Release
NCBE’s Wellington Receives Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
Marilyn Wellington, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer for the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from New England Law | Boston during its May 19, 2023, commencement ceremony.
Press Release
NCBE Publishes Content Scope for NextGen Bar Exam
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), which develops bar exam content for 54 US jurisdictions, has published the content scope for the NextGen bar exam, which is set to launch in 2026.
Press Release
NCBE Releases National Mean for March 2023 MPRE
The national mean scaled score for the March 2023 MPRE was 94.9, 0.7 points lower than the March 2022 mean of 95.6. The March 2023 mean reflects the performance of 20,184 examinees, 978 more than the March 2022 examinee count of 19,206.
Press Release
NCBE Announces National Mean for February 2023 MBE
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) announced today that the national mean scaled score for the February 2023 Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) was 131.1, a decrease of 1.5 points compared to the February 2022 mean of 132.6.
Studies/Reports
NCBE Publishes 2022 Year in Review
The Year in Review highlights the work of NCBE’s volunteers and staff in fulfilling its mission and provides a data-filled snapshot of the work NCBE undertakes in its commitment to serving the bar admissions community.
Press Release
NCBE Releases National Mean for November 2022 MPRE
The national mean scaled score for the November 2022 MPRE was 97.2
Press Release
Law Professor Timothy Davis Elected to the Board of Trustees of the National Conference of Bar Examiners
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) announced today that law professor Timothy Davis has been elected to its Board of Trustees.
Press Release
Attorney Lisa Perlen Elected to the Board of Trustees of the National Conference of Bar Examiners
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) announced today that attorney Lisa Perlen has been elected to its Board of Trustees.