In an unexpected twist, law school graduates now have a chance to turn the tables on the bar exam—a test that typically costs them over $1,000 to take. The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is offering $1,500 to select recent grads willing to beta test the full-length prototype of the NextGen Bar exam, a new and improved version set to launch in July 2026.
Approximately 2,200 participants are being sought from the 46,000 candidates currently taking the 2024 bar exam. The testing phase will occur in October, with two potential dates available: October 18-19 or October 25-26. This initiative aims to gather data to help the NCBE create a new national score scale and refine the exam’s questions. The results will assist in setting passing scores, which differ from state to state.
Rosemary Reshetar, NCBE’s director of psychometrics and operations, explained that the new test will be more skills-oriented, reducing the emphasis on rote memorization. This marks a significant shift in the exam’s format, which currently spans 12 hours over two days. The NextGen version will be shorter, requiring only nine hours—six on the first day and three on the second—and will be administered on computers instead of traditional paper.
Since its inception in 2021, the NextGen Bar exam has undergone several shorter pilot tests, but this will be the first full-scale trial. The redesign is partly a response to criticism that the existing test does not accurately reflect the practice of law.
So far, 21 jurisdictions have committed to adopting the new format, with rollout dates ranging from July 2026 to July 2028. By that time, the NCBE will phase out the current bar exam entirely.
The call for volunteers extends to graduates from both American Bar Association-accredited law schools and non-ABA-accredited institutions. First-time and repeat bar takers are encouraged to participate, with the registration window open from August 19 to 29.
For those interested, this is not just an opportunity to contribute to the future of legal licensing but also a chance to earn some cash while doing so.
