New Jersey Bar Exam News & Format Changes

Bar Exam Project wiki article. Part of the New Jersey Bar Exam cluster.

A living timeline of NJBBE rule changes and announcements that affect New Jersey 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

New Jersey will administer the NextGen UBE starting July 2028. The Supreme Court adopted NextGen by Notice issued November 17, 2025. The MPRE 75 minimum is unchanged.

NextGen UBE status in New Jersey

New Jersey will administer the NextGen UBE starting July 2028. The Supreme Court adopted NextGen by Notice issued November 17, 2025.

Score acceptance: has not announced NextGen score acceptance ahead of the July 2028 administration.

Cut score and MPRE stability

New Jersey cut score: 266 (on the 400 scale). MPRE minimum: 75. Both have been stable in recent years.

Fee schedule changes

NJBBE fees for 2026: $275 (April 1-15), $525 (April 16-30) for July 2026 first-time applicants. February 2026 deadlines: October 31, 2025 (timely), November 15, 2025 (late), November 30, 2025 (final). July 2026 deadlines: April 1-15, 2026 ($275 fee), April 16-30, 2026 ($525 fee).

What this means for your study plan

• Verify which exam format applies to your administration (New Jersey status: New Jersey will administer the NextGen UBE starting July 2028. The Supreme Court adopted NextGen by Notice issued Novemb...).
• 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

• New Jersey Admission on Motion
• Return to the New Jersey Bar Exam Hub

Sources

• New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners (NJBBE) — https://www.njbarexams.org/.
• NCBE jurisdiction page — ncbex.org/jurisdictions/NJ.