North Carolina Bar Exam News & Format Changes

Bar Exam Project wiki article. Part of the North Carolina Bar Exam cluster.

A living timeline of NCBLE rule changes and announcements that affect North Carolina bar applicants.

One-line summary

North Carolina will administer the legacy UBE through February 2028 and transition to the NextGen UBE beginning July 2028. The NextGen cut score will be 620 on the standardized NextGen scale (NCBLE Press Release, 2024). The MPRE 80 minimum is unchanged.

NextGen UBE status in North Carolina

North Carolina will administer the legacy UBE through February 2028 and transition to the NextGen UBE beginning July 2028. The NextGen cut score will be 620 on the standardized NextGen scale (NCBLE Press Release, 2024).

Score acceptance: NextGen UBE cut: 620 on the NextGen scale.

Cut score and MPRE stability

North Carolina cut score: 270 (on the 400 scale). MPRE minimum: 80.

Fee schedule

NCBLE fees for 2026: $850 first-time, $400 repeater, $1,650 attorney applicant; $125 laptop fee. February 2026 deadlines: October 1, 2025. July 2026 deadlines: January 7, 2026 (timely), March 4, 2026 (late).

What this means for your study plan

• Verify which exam format applies to your administration.
• For current format prep: standard commercial bar prep covers everything tested.
• Free MBE practice: MBEmax Free MBE Quiz; subject-specific drills: MBEmax browse subjects.

Sources

• North Carolina Board of Law Examiners (NCBLE) — https://www.ncble.org/.
• NCBE jurisdiction page — ncbex.org/jurisdictions/NC.