The NextGen Uniform Bar ExaminationTM (NextGen UBE) introduces a new scoring scale and updated exam structure, which means examinees can expect some changes to how scores are calculated and reported.
This guide explains how NextGen UBE scoring works, what score you need to pass, how results are released, and what your score report may include. You’ll also learn how jurisdictions use official score information to determine passing status, admission eligibility, and score portability.
Understanding NextGen Bar Exam Scoring
The NextGen UBE uses a 500-750 point scoring scale, replacing the 0-400 scale used by the Legacy UBE.1 NextGen UBE scores aren’t reported as percentages. Instead, examinees receive a scaled score on the 500-750 range established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE®).
Official NextGen UBE scores reflect performance across multiple-choice questions, integrated question sets, and performance tasks. Jurisdictions establish their own passing scores and use official score information to determine whether applicants have met admission requirements.
NextGen UBE scores are also designed to support score portability among participating jurisdictions. Whether a score can be transferred depends on the receiving jurisdiction’s rules, including its minimum score and other admission requirements.
What Score Is Needed to Pass the NextGen UBE?
There’s no single passing score for the NextGen UBE. Each jurisdiction sets its own minimum passing score for the NextGen UBE, which means a score that qualifies you for admission in one jurisdiction may not meet the requirements in another.
NCBE has provided a recommended passing score range for the NextGen UBE that jurisdictions can use as they establish their passing scores.
The table below shows the minimum passing scores for the NextGen UBE. Because additional jurisdictions are expected to adopt the NextGen UBE, passing score requirements may change over time. Candidates should review NCBE’s scoring page for the most current information.2
| NextGen UBE Passing Score | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| 610 | Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, Washington |
| 612 | Guam, Palau |
| 614 | Indiana |
| 615 | Oregon (July 2026 only)*, Northern Mariana Islands |
| 616 | Connecticut, District of Columbia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| 620 | Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont |
*After July 2026, the score will be increased to 620.
NextGen UBE Scoring Methodology
Your final score is based on performance across all parts of the exam. Together, these components measure legal knowledge and practical lawyering skills.
| Exam Component | Weight | Scoring and Grading |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) | 49% | Scored by NCBE |
| Integrated Question Sets | 21% | Graded by jurisdiction-appointed graders using detailed, uniform grading rubrics provided by NCBE |
| Performance Tasks | 30% | Graded by jurisdiction-appointed graders using detailed, uniform grading rubrics provided by NCBE |
MCQs are graded by NCBE using automated systems. Partial credit is available for select-two MCQs.
Written responses (integrated question sets and performance tasks) are evaluated by jurisdiction-appointed graders using detailed, uniform rubrics provided by NCBE. Points are assigned based on rubrics and not ranked relative to other examinees.
Scores from each component are then combined to produce a final scaled score. NCBE does all final conversions and converts raw scores into a final scaled score between 500-750 and reports results to the examinees.
Receiving Your Results
Each jurisdiction establishes its own procedures for releasing bar exam results and score information.
Candidates should review instructions provided by their jurisdiction’s bar admissions authority regarding score release dates, result access, and reporting procedures. Below are a few questions that you may be asking about your results.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why aren’t results released right away? | NextGen UBE results aren’t available immediately after the exam. Before scores can be reported, exam responses must be scored and processed. |
| How long does it take to receive results? | Result release dates vary by jurisdiction, so there’s no single nationwide release date. Candidates should check with their jurisdiction’s bar admissions authority for information about score-reporting timelines. |
| When are bar exam results typically released? | Jurisdictions have historically released bar exam results on different schedules, and there’s no single nationwide timeline for score reporting. |
| How will I receive my bar exam results? | Most jurisdictions provide results through a secure online applicant portal, email notification, or both. Some publicly post pass lists, while others provide results only through individual applicant accounts. |
| Can I access my score through my NCBE account? | NCBE provides score-related services through your NCBE account. After a jurisdiction has announced exam results and authorized score release, candidates may access their NextGen UBE score through the Score Services section of their NCBE account. |
What Your Score Report Includes
The information included in a NextGen UBE score report may vary by jurisdiction.
Candidates can expect to receive official information about their exam results, including their score and whether they met their jurisdiction’s passing requirements.
Some jurisdictions may also provide additional information, such as performance summaries or score breakdowns. However, reporting practices vary, and not all jurisdictions provide detailed diagnostic feedback.
Because score-reporting procedures differ among jurisdictions, candidates should rely on the official results and related communications provided by their jurisdiction’s bar admissions authority.
Score Transfer and Portability
The NextGen UBE is designed to support score portability among participating jurisdictions. Because all participating jurisdictions use the same examination and score scale, eligible examinees may be able to use a qualifying NextGen UBE score to seek admission in another participating jurisdiction.
According to the NCBE, in most jurisdictions, qualifying scores from both the Legacy UBE and the NextGen UBE will be accepted for transfer. Whether a score can be transferred depends on the rules of the receiving jurisdiction. Jurisdictions establish their own minimum passing scores and may impose requirements related to score age, application deadlines, character and fitness review, or other admission criteria.
Candidates interested in seeking admission to another jurisdiction should review the most current requirements published by that jurisdiction’s bar admissions authority. Some items to consider when checking for transfer acceptance include:
- Does the jurisdiction accept scores from both the Legacy UBE and the NextGen UBE or just one?
- When will the jurisdiction first accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
- What score is required?
- How long do you have to transfer your score before the score expires in that jurisdiction?
Understanding Your NextGen UBE Results
Your official NextGen UBE score serves several purposes. Jurisdictions use it to determine whether you have met their minimum passing score requirement for bar admission, and participating jurisdictions may also use it for score transfer purposes.
A scaled score does not determine admission on its own. Eligibility for admission depends on the requirements established by the jurisdiction where you seek licensure, including any applicable character and fitness, application, or other admission requirements.
Because participating jurisdictions establish their own passing scores, the same NextGen UBE score may have different admission outcomes depending on the jurisdiction involved.
After Receiving Your NextGen UBE Results
Once you receive your results, the next steps will depend on your score and your jurisdiction’s admission requirements. Your official results should serve as the primary source of information for understanding your options and next steps.
What Happens When You Pass?
If you earn a passing score, your next steps will depend on your jurisdiction’s admission requirements.
Depending on the jurisdiction, applicants may still need to:
- Complete a character and fitness review
- Satisfy jurisdiction-specific requirements
- Submit final admission paperwork
- Take an attorney oath or attend an admission ceremony
Passing the exam is a major milestone worth celebrating, but it’s not always the last thing you’ll have to do to get your license.
What Happens If You Don’t Pass?
If you don’t receive a passing score, review the information provided by your jurisdiction regarding eligibility, deadlines, and requirements toward retaking the exam.
Generally, applicants who do not receive a passing score register for a future test, which is subject to jurisdiction-specific rules and deadlines.
Many successful attorneys didn’t pass the bar exam on the first attempt. If you’re planning on retaking the NextGen UBE, a focused study plan and targeted preparation can help you identify weaknesses and work on them to maximize your success on the test. Explore UWorld’s NextGen bar exam resources to learn more about available study tools and prep strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are NextGen UBE results reported differently than Legacy UBE results?
The NextGen UBE uses a new 500-750- point scoring scale, replacing the scale used for the Legacy UBE. Jurisdictions continue to determine passing scores and report examination results according to their own procedures.
When will NextGen UBE results be released?
NextGen UBE bar exam result release dates are determined by individual jurisdictions. Candidates should check with their jurisdiction’s bar admissions authority for official score release schedules and instructions for accessing results.
Can you transfer a NextGen UBE score?
NextGen UBE scores are designed to support score transfer between participating jurisdictions. Many jurisdictions plan to accept qualifying scores earned on either the NextGen UBE or the Legacy UBE.You can track which jurisdictions accept NextGen UBE score transfers on NCBE’s NextGen UBE decisions by jurisdiction page.3
How do I check my NextGen UBE results?
Each jurisdiction establishes its own procedures for releasing bar exam results. Candidates should follow instructions provided by their jurisdiction’s bar admissions authority regarding score release dates, result access, and reporting procedures.
Can I appeal or review my results?
Review and appeal procedures vary by jurisdiction. Candidates should consult their jurisdiction’s bar admissions authority for information about available options, deadlines, and eligibility requirements.
References
- National Conference of Bar Examiners. (n.d.). NextGen UBE Scores & Score Portability.
https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/nextgen-ube-scores-score-portability
- National Conference of Bar Examiners. (n.d.). NextGen UBE Minimum Passing Scores.
https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen-ube/minimum-passing-scores
- National Conference of Bar Examiners (2026). NextGen UBE Decisions by Jurisdiction.
https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen-ube/scores-score-portability/nextgen-ube-decisions-jurisdiction
