The American Bar Association (ABA) Journal reports that the New York Court of Appeals has announced the adoption of the NextGen bar exam, making New York the 30th jurisdiction to implement the new format. While transitioning to NextGen, the state is also considering modifications to its state-specific law component, potentially introducing an in-person examination.
The NextGen exam, replacing the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), emphasizes practical legal skills over memorization, eliminating paper-and-pencil testing and reducing standalone multiple-choice questions. It introduces integrated question sets that require candidates to analyze primary legal sources under time constraints. While NextGen will launch in July 2026, New York will delay implementation until 2028, phasing out the UBE that same year.
Legal scholars, including Professor Deborah Jones Merritt, have raised concerns that adding an in-person state-specific test immediately after the NextGen exam could place an additional burden on candidates. Portability issues have also been highlighted, as a restricted state-specific exam could limit candidates’ ability to practice in other jurisdictions.
Experts such as Professor Joan Howarth note that most jurisdictions favor an online learning model over in-person testing, but Sean Silverman suggests some states may treat NextGen as only one component of their broader bar admissions framework.
Heather Davis, Chief Clerk and Legal Counsel to the New York Court of Appeals, reaffirmed that NextGen will continue to provide a portable score, maintaining alignment with national licensing standards while incorporating essential legal skills. The New York Court of Appeals will continue evaluating potential state-specific eligibility requirements as the NextGen transition progresses.