New York Adopts NextGen Bar Exam Starting in 2028

Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM

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New York's bar exam, a rite of passage for aspiring lawyers, will undergo a seismic shift. The state, home to over 350,000 licensed attorneys and a legal market that hums with global influence, is set to adopt the NextGen bar exam, a reimagined test designed to prioritize practical skills over rote memorization. For law students hunched over study guides and bar prep tutors scrambling to adapt, this change is more than a new test format it's a signal that the legal profession is evolving. What does this mean for the thousands of candidates who will sit for the exam in New York, the nation's largest testing jurisdiction with 14,354 examinees in 2024 alone? The answer lies in a broader transformation sweeping through legal education, one that's poised to reshape how lawyers are trained and tested.

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New York Adopts the NextGen Bar Exam

The NextGen bar exam, developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners after an exhaustive nationwide practice analysis, will debut in New York in July 2028, joining 30 other jurisdictions rolling it out between 2026 and 2028. Unlike the current Uniform Bar Examination, which emphasizes broad legal knowledge, the NextGen exam will test a wider range of foundational skills think client counseling, legal research, and negotiation deemed essential for real-world practice. Heather Davis, Chief Clerk and Legal Counsel to the New York State Court of Appeals, noted in a January 8, 2025, announcement that the exam's portable score will allow successful candidates to practice across multiple states, a boon for New York's mobile legal workforce. But the shift isn't just about logistics; it's a response to a growing demand for lawyers who can hit the ground running.

This move reflects a broader trend in legal education toward competency-based evaluation, a departure from the traditional focus on memorizing case law and statutes. Law schools, bar prep programs, and even law firms are now tasked with preparing students not just to pass a test but to thrive in a profession where practical skills are king. The stakes are high in a state like New York, where the legal industry is a powerhouse, contributing significantly to the $7.98 billion U.S. continuing legal education (CLE) market projected for 2029.

A Shift Toward Practical Skills

The NextGen bar exam's emphasis on real-world skills mirrors a larger movement in legal education. Across the country, law schools are rethinking curricula to prioritize competencies like drafting contracts or navigating client disputes over theoretical debates about constitutional law. This shift isn't happening in a vacuum. As the CLE market grows at a robust 8.65% annually, driven by providers like the National Business Institute and Lawline, there's a clear demand for training that bridges the gap between classroom and courtroom. The Western region, which led the CLE market with a 29% share in 2023, has already embraced this trend, with programs tailored to emerging practice areas like cybersecurity and environmental law.

Technology is also reshaping how candidates prepare. Bar prep programs are leaning into AI-driven analytics to offer personalized study plans, while online platforms provide real-time feedback to hone skills like legal writing. Imagine a student receiving instant critiques on a mock brief, tweaking their approach before the exam clock starts ticking. This dynamic feedback loop, coupled with simulations of real-world legal tasks, promises to make preparation more interactive and effective. Yet, as exciting as these innovations sound, they're not without challenges.

Adapting to a New Era

Early adopters of the NextGen exam, including seven jurisdictions set to implement it in 2026, offer a glimpse into what's coming. Pilot programs have shown promising results, with candidates reporting that the exam's focus on practical scenarios feels more relevant to their future careers. Law schools, meanwhile, are scrambling to align their courses with the new format. Some are introducing clinics that simulate client interactions or integrating tech tools into classrooms to mimic the exam's digital components. Bar prep companies are also pivoting, with providers like CeriFi and ALM Global rolling out NextGen-specific materials that emphasize skills like legal analysis over memorization.

But the transition won't be seamless. For students accustomed to traditional study methods, the shift to a skills-based exam could feel jarring. Bar prep tutors, long reliant on teaching mnemonic devices for obscure legal rules, now face the task of coaching students in nuanced tasks like client communication. The reliance on technology also raises concerns about access. Not every law student has reliable internet or the latest devices, and digital infrastructure varies widely across testing centers. For underserved populations, these barriers could exacerbate existing inequities in legal education, a field already criticized for its lack of diversity.

Opportunities and Economic Impacts

Despite these hurdles, the NextGen exam opens doors for innovation. Bar prep programs have a chance to reinvent themselves, offering tailored courses that leverage virtual reality simulations or AI-driven diagnostics. These tools could make studying more engaging, turning the grueling bar prep process into something closer to a legal boot camp. For students, the focus on practical skills means they'll be better equipped to handle the demands of modern practice whether it's negotiating a settlement or researching a complex regulatory issue. Law firms, too, stand to benefit, as new hires arrive with skills that translate directly to billable work.

The economic ripple effects are significant. The U.S. CLE market, valued at $4.85 billion in 2023, is expected to hit $7.98 billion by 2029, fueled in part by the demand for updated training programs. Educational companies like Lorman Education Services and the National Academy of Continuing Legal Education are already capitalizing on this, offering specialized CLE courses that align with the NextGen exam's priorities. For New York, where the legal sector is a cornerstone of the economy, these changes could drive growth in both education and professional services.

As New York prepares to roll out the NextGen bar exam in 2028, the legal world is watching closely. This isn't just a new test; it's a redefinition of what it means to become a lawyer. Legal educators, speaking off the record, are cautiously optimistic, noting that the exam's focus on practical skills could produce attorneys better suited to a fast-changing profession. But they also warn of growing pains students and schools will need time to adapt, and the push for equity must remain front and center. For now, aspiring lawyers in New York face a dual challenge: mastering a new exam format while preparing for a career where adaptability is the ultimate skill. As one professor put it, “The law doesn't stand still, and neither can we.” For students, tutors, and law firms, the message is clear: embrace the change, or risk being left behind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NextGen bar exam and when will New York start using it?

The NextGen bar exam is a reimagined test developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners that prioritizes practical skills like client counseling, legal research, and negotiation over rote memorization. New York will implement the NextGen bar exam starting in July 2028, joining 30 other jurisdictions that are rolling it out between 2026 and 2028. The exam offers a portable score that allows successful candidates to practice across multiple states.

How does the NextGen bar exam differ from the current Uniform Bar Examination?

Unlike the current Uniform Bar Examination which emphasizes broad legal knowledge and memorization of case law and statutes, the NextGen bar exam focuses on testing foundational skills essential for real-world practice. The new exam includes practical scenarios like client interactions, contract drafting, and legal analysis rather than traditional theoretical debates. This shift reflects a broader movement toward competency-based evaluation in legal education.

What challenges will law students face when preparing for the NextGen bar exam?

Students will need to adapt from traditional memorization-based study methods to skills-focused preparation, which may feel jarring for those accustomed to learning legal rules through mnemonic devices. The exam's reliance on technology raises access concerns, as not all students have reliable internet or updated devices, potentially creating barriers for underserved populations. Bar prep companies and tutors are also pivoting their approaches to focus on coaching nuanced tasks like client communication rather than just teaching legal facts.

Disclaimer: The above helpful resources content contains personal opinions and experiences. The information provided is for general knowledge and does not constitute professional advice.

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