At the moment the NCBE is focusing on enhancing the NextGen Bar Exam which is set to begin in 2026.
Content Scope Outlines were published in May 2023 indicating that the exam will test knowledge in eight areas of law and skills in seven practical areas.
This new exam will measure basic areas of proficiency in lawyering skills and knowledge, law and more than just memorizing it.
It will contain cases where candidates will be asked how they approach problems in real legal contexts such as counseling clients and bargaining.
They are also administering it to pilots and getting feedback to ensure that it is valuable for preparing future lawyers.
Timeline for Implementation
The NextGen Bar Exam developed by NCBE is set to launch in July 2026 and has several key steps before it begins.
A test prototype will be given from late 2024 to early 2025, helping the NCBE collect feedback on the new exam format.
Then, in the third quarter of 2025, they will decide on passing scores. This period is crucial for law students, who need to adjust their study methods to focus more on practical skills instead of just memorizing.
Although students will take the exam after graduation, some flexibility is allowed for those in their final semester to apply.
Structure of the NextGen Bar Exam
The “NextGen Bar Exam” will last nine hours, split into three three-hour sessions over a day and a half.
It will have about 40 multiple-choice questions, one performance task, and two integrated question sets.
These sets mix different question types around a real-life legal scenario, unlike the old bar exam, which had separate parts and lasted 12 hours over two days.
The new exam focuses more on practical skills and real-world use, based on feedback that the old exam was too memorization-based.
Focus on Practical Skills
According to NCBE, the “NextGen Bar Exam” is a concept which is quite different from conventional bar exams that only involve cramming using past bar examinations, as it tests actual skills in client nurturing and bargaining.
Although this change is to ensure that future lawyers are well equipped for legal practice work through tasks for providing legal advice and dealing with disagreements.
It also encompasses others such as legal research and writing. For example, the candidates can be required to solve a hypothetical case involving a client and recommend legal avenues to present an opportunity to demonstrate how they are able to use what they know in different scenarios.
Integrated Testing Format
NCBE mentions that for clarity, the NextGen Bar Exam features integrated question sets where the candidates have to provide solutions to legal problems as encountered in actual practice.
These sets have more than one question based on one legal instance and enable candidates to demonstrate how to cover legal rules in real scenarios.
It is useful for this reason since it takes time to train the new lawyers to undertake other functions such as handling clients and cases.
For instance, a question might require one to draft a legal memorandum while at the same time thinking of the laws and discussing with a client.
Sitting the exam is passed in different sections, including multiple choice and short answer questions, in order to provide a comprehensive result as to the candidate’s skills and preparation for the range of opportunities presented in the legal workplace.
Impact on Law School Curriculum
This is because Law schools will be forced to adopt new approaches to teaching that address the NextGen Bar Exam introduced by NCBE.
A lot of emphasis would be shifted from learning through studying books and other articles, though it encompasses it to those real-life exercises such as counseling the clients and negotiation among others.
Businesses will probably employ situational exercises and actual case scenarios more often in an attempt to have students practice what they have learned in schools.
Preparation Strategies for Law Students
Law students preparing for the NextGen Bar Exam need to focus on practical skills in addition to their knowledge.
This means NCBE wants us to move away from just memorizing to active learning methods like simulations, study groups, and real-world question practice.
It’s also important to choose courses that teach by doing, like legal writing and client counseling, which are key for the new exam.
Resources like BARBRI’s NextGen Bar Exam course and JD Advising’s materials are great for this, offering new teaching styles and detailed study guides.
Concerns and Challenges
According to NCBE, law students getting ready for the NextGen Bar Exam might face some challenges due to its new format.
One big issue is moving from just memorizing to actually applying skills, which can make some students nervous about real-world situations.
Also, the exam is shorter and focuses more on practical skills, which means students need to learn a lot in less time.
To help, law schools should offer support like special courses, practical skill workshops, and academic help.
The NextGen Bar Exam developed by NCBE changes legal education by focusing on practical skills and theory together. It encourages hands-on learning and strong support, helping to train future lawyers to handle real-world challenges and become skilled and confident.