NextGen Bar Exam Prep | Leading NextGen UBE Course

Our NextGen Bar Prep Provides Practical Lawyering Skills with Real-World Scenarios

The NextGen UBE isn’t about regurgitating doctrine and black letter law. It’s about thinking like a lawyer — applying knowledge, making decisions, solving problems. More than just downloadable one-pagers, BARBRI’s immersive Skills Scenarios put you in real-world legal situations as an associate at a fictitious law firm. You won’t just learn the material; you’ll master how to apply it effectively.

Hands-On Learning: Tackle unfolding legal problems and develop practical skills through expert-led interactive formats.
Exam Familiarity: Practice integrated questions modeled directly on the NextGen UBE exam format.
Why It Matters: Gain the competence and confidence to tackle NextGen UBE’s skills-focused approach.

Authentic Preparation with Licensed NCBE Content

BARBRI’s NextGen Bar Review course incorporates licensed NCBE content, providing unmatched authenticity and alignment with the bar exam. This integration ensures that you not only practice with real exam questions but also gain a deeper understanding of the exam’s structure and requirements. The result? Confidence, readiness, and success.

Exam-Aligned Practice: Three NextGen NCBE-licensed question sets are integrated into the course, providing regular chances to sharpen your skills.
Familiarity with the NCBE Exam Platform: Experience one full NCBE question set on the official exam platform, so you can familiarize yourself with the testing interface and avoid surprises on test day.
Confidence Through Authenticity: Develop the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills you need to excel with questions that reflect the format and rigor of the NextGen UBE.

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BARBRI’s Exclusive Features Support Your Learning Style

BARBRI is ready to help you prepare effectively, with tested course tools already available and aligned with the NextGen UBE. With proven strategies, smarter tools, and a deeply personalized approach, we help you move from where you are to where you need to be. That’s why BARBRI’s flexible NextGen bar review course has features designed around your unique learning style.

Foundations Episodes

Learn complex concepts easily with engaging, real-world stories

Customizable Study Calendar

Stay organized and stress-free by planning around your schedule

Adaptive Study Plan

Dynamically adjusts to your strengths and weaknesses, ensuring efficient use of your study time for maximum results

Most Accurate Pass Predictor

Track your progress and stay confident with accurate performance insights

On-the-Go App

Study anywhere with audio-only or downloaded lectures, practice multiple-choice questions, and track your study plan for maximum productivity

Personalized Flashcard Decks

Built to your personal needs for active recall of critical concepts on the NextGen bar exam.

Four Months of Course Access

Flexible start dates cater to any student timeline

Licensed NCBE Content

Real exam questions for authentic practice and boosted confidence.

Hear What Your Peers Are Saying

Over 1.4 million legal professionals have passed with BARBRI Bar Exam Prep, more than all others combined. Join our community.

BARBRI kept me on track in terms of knowing how much I should be doing and at what point during my studies. It was also helpful to have it track my progress, show me my progress versus others, and give me a way to keep track of what I had done and what I had left to do. Follow the study plan, and you’ll not only pass but feel prepared on the day of the exam because you know you did everything you could and more than most other people!”

— Mary Kate H. | NYU School of Law

The BARBRI Bar Review Personal Study Plan helped me to be consistent with my studies while giving me different tools to support and strengthen my knowledge in the subjects. Essays have always been a problem area for me. Having the scoring and feedback helped boost my confidence in formulating and structuring my essays. The Personal Study Plan is to your benefit, and worth its weight in gold.

— April O. | Nashville School of Law

…BARBRI is doing something right. It’s more than just, ‘Oh, it’s the popular thing to do.’ People are taking this course because BARBRI is successful. BARBRI will always be successful

— André S.| University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

Experience BARBRI NextGen Bar Prep for Free!

Choosing a bar prep course is a big step towards your career goals, so we encourage you to experience for yourself what makes BARBRI the most trusted, innovative, and personalized bar prep provider. Feel confident you are enrolling in the right NextGen bar prep course for you.

Sign up for NextGen Prep Preview, no commitment, to get a FREE interactive preview of BARBRI’s unique features and functionality, including:

The only truly customizable study calendar
Short video lectures paired with frequent knowledge checks
Animated, topic-based videos that reinforce complex concepts
Tackle legal challenges and build practical skills with expert-led Skill Scenarios
Solve realistic problems similar to those on the NextGen UBE, including short-answer, practical tasks, and multi-format issues

Free NextGen Preview | Enroll Today!

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Who Should Enroll in NextGen Bar Prep?

Preparing for the NextGen UBE can begin as early as your 1L year. If you are in a state that administers the NextGen bar exam in July 2026, you will be one of the first to take the new format — and with BARBRI, you can be the most prepared.

Since the NCBE will require all states to administer the NextGen UBE in July 2028, we’re committed to help all law students navigate the transition and prepare like an expert for their future careers.

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Proven Learning Science. Backed by Results.

Foundational Learning

Start by reinforcing core law school concepts through fun, animated Foundations Episodes and knowledge checks. It's all about making tricky topics simple and relatable.

Application

Dive deeper through practical exercises, short and interactive lectures (20 to 30 minutes), and comprehensive question sets.

Mastery

Cement your understanding with review focused on key topics starred by the NCBE, mock exams, and an adaptive preparation course that prioritizes your weakest areas.

Learn-Life Balance: Your Journey Matters to Us

Are you ready to take on the NextGen bar exam and launch your legal career? BARBRI is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way. No matter your background or where you plan to sit for the exam, whether you’re a recent grad, career changer, first-generation law student, or international attorney, your path to the bar is your own.

Are you devoting yourself full-time to studying, or are you managing work, classes, and personal responsibilities? Do you prefer self-paced or need more structure?

Trust the bar prep program that adapts to who you are and what you need.

Start Your Journey

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Frequently Asked Questions

NextGen UBE Basics

What is the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (NextGen UBE)?

The NextGen UBE is the National Conference of Bar Examiners' (NCBE) updated version of the Uniform Bar Exam, built to better reflect how lawyers actually practice today. It blends foundational legal knowledge with the skills new attorneys use on day one: legal analysis, client counseling, investigation, and written advocacy. Learn more about the NextGen bar exam.

When Does the NextGen UBE Start?

The NextGen UBE launches in July 2026, with additional administrations following each subsequent exam cycle. Jurisdictions are transitioning on staggered timelines, so the exact start date depends on where you plan to sit for the bar.

Which States and Jurisdictions Are Adopting the NextGen UBE?

A growing list of jurisdictions has committed to the NextGen UBE, with more announcing adoption dates regularly. Because timelines vary by state, check your jurisdiction's board of bar examiners for the most current adoption status before you plan your prep.

What is Changing with the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam that's Different from the Current UBE?

The NextGen UBE eliminates the separate MBE, MEE, and MPT structure in favor of an integrated exam that tests doctrinal knowledge and lawyering skills together. Expect fewer tested subjects, more realistic fact patterns, and a heavier focus on applied judgment. Here's a closer look at what changes the NextGen bar exam introduces.

Why is the NCBE Changing the Bar Exam to the NextGen Format?

The NCBE redesigned the bar exam to better measure the competencies entry-level lawyers actually need. Years of practice-analysis research showed the traditional format overemphasized memorization and underweighted the practical skills that define real legal work. The NextGen UBE is the NCBE's response.

What Subjects are Tested on the NextGen Bar Exam?

The NextGen UBE tests a streamlined set of foundational subjects, including civil procedure, contracts, evidence, torts, criminal law, constitutional law, real property, and business associations, integrated with core lawyering skills. Get the full breakdown of what's tested on the NextGen bar exam.

Who Will Be Required to Take the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam?

Anyone sitting for the bar in a jurisdiction that has adopted the NextGen UBE, starting on that jurisdiction's transition date. If your state hasn't switched yet, you'll take the current UBE until it does. Alternatively, some states may choose to keep or opt for jurisdiction-specific exams rather than adopting the NextGen UBE.

NextGen Bar Exam Format and Content

What Types of Questions Are On the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam?

The NextGen UBE uses three integrated question types: multiple-choice, short-answer, and performance-based item sets built around realistic client scenarios. Every question is designed to test both legal knowledge and lawyering skills.

Does the NextGen Bar Exam Include Multiple-Choice Questions?

Yes. Multiple-choice questions remain a core part of the NextGen UBE. The key difference is that they're written to test applied reasoning and issue-spotting in realistic contexts, not just rule recall.

Are Performance Tasks or Real-World Legal Scenarios Tested on the NextGen UBE?

Yes. Performance-based items are central to the NextGen UBE, placing you in the role of a junior attorney asked to analyze facts, review documents, provide counsel to a client, or draft written work product.

What Legal Skills Are Emphasized on the NextGen Bar Exam?

The NextGen UBE emphasizes seven foundational lawyering skills, including legal research, legal writing, issue spotting and analysis, investigation and evaluation, client counseling and advising, negotiation and dispute resolution, and client relationship management.

How Are Legal Analysis and Judgment Tested on the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam?

Legal analysis is tested through integrated item sets that ask you to apply doctrinal rules to realistic facts and reach defensible conclusions. You'll be evaluated on how you reason through ambiguity, prioritize issues, and communicate sound legal judgment.

Does the NextGen Bar Exam Focus More on Practical Skills Than the Traditional Bar Exam?

Yes. While doctrinal knowledge still matters, the NextGen UBE places substantially more weight on how you apply that knowledge, analyzing facts, counseling clients, and producing useful written work.

Is the NextGen Bar Exam Easier?

Not easier — just different. The reduced subject list is balanced by deeper skills testing and more complex, integrated fact patterns that demand applied reasoning. Here's an honest look at the difficulty of the NextGen UBE.

Does the NextGen UBE Still Test Doctrinal Law and Core Subjects?

Yes. Foundational subjects remain the backbone of the exam. The NextGen UBE simply tests them through more realistic scenarios that pair doctrine with lawyering skills.

BARBRI NextGen Bar Review Course

What is BARBRI's NextGen Bar Review Course?

BARBRI's NextGen Bar Review is a purpose-built course for the NCBE's redesigned exam, combining foundational law, integrated skills practice, and exam-realistic item sets. Explore the full course on our NextGen bar prep page.

How Does BARBRI Prepare Students for the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam?

BARBRI blends targeted doctrinal review with deliberate practice on the seven NextGen lawyering skills, using NCBE-licensed item sets, performance-based tasks, and personalized study planning. The goal is simple: get you exam-ready on both what you know and what you can do.

Is BARBRI's NextGen Bar Review Course Designed Specifically for the NCBE NextGen Exam?

Yes. Every element of the course (content, questions, pacing, and skills practice) is designed around the NCBE's NextGen specifications, not retrofitted from a legacy course.

How is BARBRI's NextGen Bar Review Different From Traditional Bar Prep Courses?

Traditional bar prep is built around isolated MBE, MEE, and MPT practice. BARBRI's NextGen course integrates doctrine and skills the way the exam does, so your studying mirrors the way you'll actually be tested.

Does BARBRI's NextGen Course Include NCBE-Released NextGen Sample Questions?

Yes. BARBRI incorporates NCBE-released NextGen sample items alongside BARBRI-authored practice built to the same specifications, so you train on the most authentic material available.

How Does BARBRI Help Students Build NextGen Bar Exam Skills Like Decision-Making and Issue-Spotting?

Through guided practice on realistic client scenarios, written feedback on performance tasks, and skills-focused lessons that teach the reasoning moves behind every correct answer. You’ll build habits, not just knowledge.

How Does BARBRI Align its NextGen Bar Review with NCBE Guidance?

BARBRI continuously aligns its content, question styles, and skills coverage to the NCBE's published NextGen specifications and sample materials, updating the course as new guidance is released.

Choosing the Right NextGen Bar Review Course

Should I Take a NextGen Bar Prep Course if My State Hasn't Adopted the NextGen UBE Yet?

Only if you're sitting for an exam cycle where your jurisdiction has adopted the NextGen UBE. If you'll take the current UBE, stick with traditional bar prep. BARBRI offers both, matched to the exam you'll actually take.

What Bar Review Course Should I Take if I'm Unsure Whether I'll Take the NextGen Bar Exam?

Start by confirming your jurisdiction's adoption timeline against your planned exam date. BARBRI advisors can help you match the right course to your jurisdiction and timeline so you're never preparing for the wrong exam.

Who Should Choose BARBRI's NextGen Bar Review Instead of a Traditional Bar Prep Course?

Any candidate sitting for the bar in a jurisdiction that has adopted the NextGen UBE on or before their exam date. If that's you, NextGen-specific prep is the right fit.

Is BARBRI's NextGen Bar Review Right for 2Ls Preparing Early for the Bar Exam?

Yes — especially for 2Ls in NextGen-adopting jurisdictions. Early preparation gives you more time to build the skills the NextGen UBE emphasizes, and BARBRI's early-start options are designed for exactly that.

Can BARBRI Help if I Plan to Take the NextGen UBE in the Future?

Absolutely. From 1L foundations through final bar review, BARBRI offers a full pathway. See how BARBRI can prepare you for the NextGen UBE at every stage of law school.