If you’re preparing for the NextGen Uniform Bar ExaminationTM (NextGen UBE), you may be wondering what pass rates look like and how they compare to the Legacy Uniform Bar Examination (UBE®).
Because the NextGen UBE will be administered for the first time in July 2026 in limited jurisdictions, official pass-rate data is not yet available. As jurisdictions begin releasing results, pass-rate information will provide insight into how examinees are performing on the new exam.
This guide explains what bar exam pass rates mean, how they’re calculated, and factors that influence them.
Understanding NextGen Bar Exam Pass Rates
A pass rate is the percentage of examinees who achieve a passing score on a bar exam administration.
Pass rates are often confused with passing scores, but they measure different things. A passing score is the minimum score required for admission in a particular jurisdiction. A pass rate is the percentage of examinees who earned a passing score during a specific administration of the exam.
For example, a jurisdiction may require a passing score of 620 on the NextGen UBE while reporting a pass rate of 75% for a particular exam administration.
Jurisdictions, law schools, and examinees often track pass rates because they provide a broad view of exam outcomes and performance trends over time.
How Bar Exam Pass Rates Are Calculated
Bar exam pass rates are typically reported as percentages.
To calculate a pass rate, jurisdictions divide the number of examinees who passed by the total number of examinees who sat for the exam. For example, if 800 candidates take the exam and 600 receive passing scores, the pass rate would be 75%.
Overall Pass Rates vs. First-Time Pass Rates
Many jurisdictions report more than one pass rate. An overall pass rate includes all examinees who took the exam. A first-time pass rate includes only candidates taking the bar exam for the first time.
Some jurisdictions also report pass rates for repeat examinees, allowing candidates to compare outcomes among different testing groups.
Factors That Influence NextGen UBE Pass Rates
NextGen UBE bar exam pass rates can vary from one test period administration to another and from each state or jurisdiction. Several factors may influence reported results.
First-Time vs. Repeat Test Takers
Jurisdictions often report first-time and repeat examinee pass rates separately because these groups have historically produced different outcomes on the bar exam.
According to NCBE bar exam statistics, first-time examinees consistently achieve higher pass rates than repeat test takers.1 As a result, jurisdictions frequently analyze and report these groups independently to provide a clearer picture of exam performance.
Pass rates may also vary between exam administrations. Historically, July administrations have often reported higher pass rates than February administrations, in part because a larger share of July examinees are first-time test takers.
Jurisdiction-Specific Differences
Pass rates may vary among jurisdictions for several reasons, including differences in candidate populations, reporting practices, and admission requirements.
As a result, direct comparisons between jurisdictions may not always provide a complete picture of examinee performance.
Changes Introduced by the NextGen UBE
The NextGen UBE represents a significant change to the bar exam format. Because the first administration will occur in July 2026, it may take several testing cycles before meaningful pass-rate trends emerge. Early results may provide useful information, but longer-term data will be needed before reliable comparisons can be made.
When pass-rate data becomes available, it should be viewed as a broad indicator of exam outcomes rather than a predictor of an individual candidate’s likelihood of passing. Over time, published pass-rate data may help identify patterns across exam administrations and examinee groups.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between a bar exam pass rate and a passing score?
How are NextGen UBE pass rates calculated?
Can I view my results through my NCBE account?
What is the difference between first-time and repeat-taker pass rates?
Why do pass rates vary by jurisdiction?
When will NextGen UBE pass-rate data become available?
Are NextGen UBE results reported differently than current Legacy UBE results?
References
- National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2026). Bar Exam Results by Jurisdiction. https://www.ncbex.org/statistics-research/bar-exam-results-jurisdiction
- National Conference of Bar Examiners. (n.d.) NextGen UBE Scores & Score Portability. https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/nextgen-ube-scores-score-portability
