Myth or Fact: Test Your Bar Exam Knowledge

It’s a fact. Several jurisdictions offer alternative pathways to attorney licensure. Wisconsin has long offered a diploma privilege for graduates of Wisconsin law schools who meet certain academic and character and fitness requirements. Washington and Oregon now allow graduates to bypass the bar exam if they complete an apprenticeship supervised by a licensed attorney and meet other requirements. Additional jurisdictions are considering alternatives to the bar exam.

It’s a myth. Don’t let this myth dissuade you from taking the February exam if the timing works well for you. In terms of achieving passage, February isn’t harder than July. Although the difficulty of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) can vary by administration, any difference in difficulty is reconciled by the equating process used by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. You can read more about MBE scoring here.

It’s a fact. The National Conference of Bar Examiners will unveil a new version of the bar exam in July 2026. The NextGen exam takes a practice-oriented approach—examinees will face drafting and client-counseling questions that put them in the shoes of a newly licensed lawyer. A growing number of jurisdictions plan to administer the NextGen exam. Find out more here. 

It’s a fact. Each year, bar preppers groan at the mountain of material tested on the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), which is administered in many jurisdictions. Beginning with the July 2026 administration of the UBE, 4 subjects will be dropped: conflict of laws, family law, trusts and estates, and secured transactions.

It’s a myth. You can opt out of long lectures delivered by talking heads. Quimbee Bar Review includes beautifully designed video lessons that break down the toughest concepts tested on the bar exam into bite-sized, entertaining chunks. Videos are 5–7 minutes long and are paired with practice questions to cement your knowledge. Our practice-based approach means you’ll spend the majority of your time doing, not drifting off.

Make success a reality with Quimbee. Expert-written case briefs, outlines, and a practice-oriented bar review course give you the edge you’ll need to ace law school finals and conquer the bar exam. Book a free, 30-minute tour of Quimbee Bar Review+ to learn more.