NextGen

The NextGen bar exam, which is being developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), will first be administered in July 2026. This exam will have much more of a focus on lawyering skills than the bar exam of past years. With this enhanced focus on skills, we are in the process of producing teaching materials to enhance both the current skills courses as well as skills components for doctrinal courses. We also will connect with other colleagues in the field to include their new NextGen focused innovative simulations and teaching aids so that we can all enhance our teaching to best prepare our students for the NextGen bar exam.

NextGen Information Assessments

While we all are still learning about the format and questions in the NextGen Bar Exam, one way to approach assessments is to revise current questions into ones that capture the integrated, skills focus of the NextGen Bar.

NextGen-Style MPT Assignment (PDF)

MPT-2: In re Peterson Engineering Consultants (PDF)

MPT-2: In re Peterson Engineering Consultants – Point Sheet (PDF)

Peterson Engineering Consultants Assignment Rubric (PDF)

NextGen Teaching

This multi-phase exercise, designed by Jim Coben, is an end of first semester skills activity to reinforce key concepts for the NextGen Bar Exam. Using a complex master case file (including pleadings and discovery), students first make summary judgment oral arguments and then participate in a mediation of the same case. There is also a NextGen Bar Exam Integrated Question Set based on the Master File. The set includes 4 doctrinal questions and 7 client counseling/negotiation and dispute resolution questions, all with sample answers).

Flambeau v. Jake’s Bar & Grille, Inc. Master File (for summary judgment oral argument and mediation) (PDF)

Mediation Simulation (confidentials for clients, lawyers and mediator) (PDF)

NextGen Bar Exam: Integrated Question Set (using excerpts from the master file) (PDF)

Teacher’s Notes (PDF)