This article originally appeared in The Bar Examiner print edition, Spring 2026 (Vol. 95, No. 1), pp. 57–59.
The NextGen UBE will debut July 2026 in 10 jurisdictions. To support examinees preparing for the first administration of the new exam and beyond, NCBE has developed a range of official NextGen UBE study tools and reference works.
In addition to free NextGen resources, such as the Examinees’ Guide, the Constructed Response Guide, the NextGen Content Scope, and free sample questions (which can be found at ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/preparing-nextgen-ube), NCBE also offers a variety of authentic NextGen study aids.
More details about NextGen study aids and Sourcebooks are available at ncbex.org/study-aids/nextgen-ube.
The following FAQ covers questions about NCBE’s diverse portfolio of NextGen study tools and reference materials.
What official study aids and reference materials are available for the NextGen UBE?
At the time of publication, NCBE has around 18 hours of official study aids available to help examinees prepare for the NextGen UBE. Study materials include
- practice sets (each mimics one section of the NextGen UBE); and
- item banks (additional integrated question sets and multiple-choice questions).
Practice sets and item banks are available for purchase individually or in bundles.
NCBE also offers a growing Sourcebook series of reference e-books for law faculty and curriculum designers. Contracts, Evidence, Real Property, Torts, and Civil Procedure volumes are available now.
What’s included in NextGen UBE practice sets?”
Each NextGen UBE practice set contains approximately three hours of content and is designed to mirror one full section of the exam.
Practice sets are developed by NCBE’s expert drafting and editing teams—composed of law professors, practitioners, and judges from across the country—and feature authentic questions that reflect the format, style, and content of the NextGen UBE.
Each practice set includes
- 40 standalone multiple-choice questions;
- 2 integrated question sets (with both multiple-choice
and constructed-response questions); and - 1 full performance task.
How can examinees choose to work through practice sets?
Practice sets offer two modes:
- Practice mode allows examinees to work at their own pace without a time limit and provides immediate answer explanations, question-level feedback, and tools to track progress.
- Test mode simulates the real exam experience with a three-hour timer and no immediate answer explanations or feedback.
How long do I have access to practice sets?
Candidates are allowed two total attempts per practice set, in any combination of test and practice modes. One-year access includes time for two takes, study, and review.
What features are available in the practice sets?
Practice sets have a variety of digital features available. Practice sets are delivered on the same digital platform that will be used on exam day, allowing examinees to become familiar with the exam interface and tools.
Features include
- highlight, note, and bookmark functionalities;
- adjustable text size and background color; and
- confidence ratings (low, medium, high) for each question to support self-assessment.
What are NextGen UBE item banks?
Item banks provide additional official NextGen questions for practice. Two types are currently available:
- multiple-choice question banks (50 standalone questions)
- integrated question set banks (five integrated question sets)
Items banks are delivered on the same digital platform as the NextGen UBE and include two practice-mode attempts. Item banks have the same features as practice sets described earlier.
What’s included in the NextGen UBE Everything Bundle?
The NextGen UBE Everything Bundle includes
- Practice Sets 1–4;
- Multiple-Choice Question Set Bank 1; and
- Integrated Question Set Banks 1 and 2.
In total, the bundle provides around 18 hours of authentic NextGen practice content.
How much do NextGen UBE study aids cost?
- Individual practice sets and item banks: $45 each
- NextGen UBE Practice Set Bundle: $150
- NextGen UBE Everything Bundle: $250
Special pricing is available to law schools through the NCBE licensing program.
What are NextGen UBE Sourcebooks?
The NCBE digital Sourcebook series is intended to provide legal educators with information about which legal concepts and principles are within the scope of doctrine to be assessed on the NextGen UBE.
Each Sourcebook in the series relies on sources that should be readily available to educators interested in bar exam content coverage. There will be a Sourcebook available for each subject area tested on the new exam (e.g., Contracts, Torts, etc.).
For more information on the Sourcebooks, including excerpts from two published volumes, read the following Bar Examiner article at thebarexaminer.ncbex.org/article/fall-2025/nextgen-ube-sourcebook-series/.
How do I access NextGen Sourcebooks?
Sourcebooks are available through the NCBE Study Aids store at ncbex.org/study-aids/nextgen-ube.
However, we encourage legal educators to check with your school’s law library, as you may already have access via West Academic.
Are all Sourcebooks released?
Not yet. Currently, Sourcebooks are available for Evidence, Real Property, Contracts, Torts, and Civil Procedure.
Additional Sourcebooks will be released in the coming months in advance of the NextGen UBE’s first administration in July 2026.
To stay up to date on when new Sourcebooks are released, check the NextGen study aids page at
ncbex.org/study-aids/nextgen-ube.
You can also sign up for monthly NextGen UBE email updates here: ncbex.org/nextgen-ube-updates.
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