The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) will begin administering a new version of the bar exam-- called the NextGen Bar-- in July 2026. The NextGen Bar will aim to ensure that bar exam assessments align more closely with the demands and expectations of modern legal practice through assessing not only "foundational concepts & principles" but also "foundational skills."
The eight foundational concepts & principles areas will include:
(A ninth area-- Family Law-- will be added beginning with the July 2028 NextGen bar exam.)
The seven foundational skills areas will include:
Texas has not yet announced if and/or when it intends to administer the NextGen Bar. To learn more about the new version of the exam, view the NCBE's NextGen Bar Exam website.