Connecticut Bar Exam News & Format Changes

Bar Exam Project wiki article. Part of the Connecticut Bar Exam cluster.

A living timeline of CBEC rule changes and announcements that affect Connecticut bar applicants. Bookmark this page if you are sitting in 2026, 2027, or 2028 — the NextGen transition is a significant format change.

One-line summary

Connecticut administers the NextGen UBE beginning with the July 2026 administration. The legacy UBE was last administered February 2026. The MPRE 80 minimum is unchanged.

NextGen UBE status in Connecticut

Connecticut administers the NextGen UBE beginning with the July 2026 administration. The legacy UBE was last administered February 2026.

Score acceptance: will accept transferred NextGen UBE scores from other adopting jurisdictions.

Cut score and MPRE stability

Connecticut cut score: 616 (on the 500-750 scale). MPRE minimum: 80. Both have been stable in recent years.

Fee schedule changes

CBEC fees for 2026: $800 application + $100 late + $125 laptop fee. February 2026 deadlines: October 1, 2025 (opens) - November 15, 2025 (closes). July 2026 deadlines: March 1, 2026 (opens). Capped at 600 total applications for July 2026.

What this means for your study plan

• Verify which exam format applies to your administration (Connecticut status: Connecticut administers the NextGen UBE beginning with the July 2026 administration. The legacy UBE was last administere...).
• For legacy UBE prep: traditional MEE/MPT/MBE materials. Free MBE practice: MBEmax Free MBE Quiz; subject drills: MBEmax browse subjects.
• For NextGen prep: NCBE-released NextGen sample items plus a NextGen-aligned commercial bar prep course. Skip Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Secured Transactions, and Trusts & Estates as doctrinal study (not tested on NextGen).

Companion pages

• Connecticut Admission on Motion
• Return to the Connecticut Bar Exam Hub

Sources

• Connecticut Bar Examining Committee (CBEC) — https://ctbaradmissions.jud.ct.gov/.
• NCBE jurisdiction page — ncbex.org/jurisdictions/CT.