What’s the plan for the California Bar Exam?
The State Bar of California is actively evaluating changes to the California Bar Exam that could take effect as early as 2028. While no final decision has been made, the goal is to create an exam that is more reliable, accessible, and responsive to concerns raised after the February 2025 exam and to national changes in bar testing, including the phase-out of the Multistate Bar Examination by July 2028.
What this means for California attorneys and applicants
For future applicants, the most significant possibility under consideration is adoption of the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam, which could allow for greater consistency with other jurisdictions and increased score portability. Other options include a redesigned California-specific exam or a transitional approach using Kaplan-developed questions. Current attorneys should be aware that the State Bar is seeking broad stakeholder input and will ultimately submit a recommendation to the California Supreme Court, which will decide whether and how the exam changes move forward.