NextGen Bar Updates

Several items related to the NextGen Bar Exam have been in the news. This includes announcements from Iowa, the introduction of a new preparation course tailored to the NextGen exam, and more discussion of the future of the California bar exam.

Iowa Supreme Court announces adoption of the NextGen Bar Examination (March 5, 2026) (“On Feb. 24, Chief Justice Christensen signed an order concerning the adoption of the NextGen Bar Examination and amendments to Chapter 31 of the Iowa Court Rules. Beginning in July 2027, aspiring Iowa attorneys will begin taking a new Iowa bar examination. The NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE) will replace the current Uniform Bar Examination (Legacy UBE).”)

Helix Bar Review by AccessLex Introduces Helix NextGen, Comprehensive Bar Prep for the NextGen UBE (March 10, 2026) (Created by the bar review experts at nonprofit AccessLex Institute, the organization selected by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) to co-develop official practice materials for the exam, Helix NextGen is purpose-built for unmatched alignment with the NextGen UBE. The program leverages evidence-based learning and personalized study to develop the test-taking strategies essential for success on the new exam.)

After Last Year’s Bar Exam Disaster, State (California) Must Adopt NextGen (Feb. 18, 2026) (op-ed from Dean Erwin Chemerinsky urging the California Supreme Court to adopt the NextGen Bar Exam).

More information about the NextGen Bar Exam on the NCBEX Webpage.

About the Author

Austen Parrish

Austen Parrish is the 2025 President of the Association of American Law Schools and Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law at University of California, Irvine School of Law. He also serves as co-editor of the Journal of Legal Education. Before joining UC Irvine, he served as dean of Indiana University Maurer School of Law and Southwestern Law School.