Delaware to implement NextGen Bar Exam starting February 2028

A new test for aspiring attorneys in Delaware will be introduced in a few years.

Delaware will begin using the NextGen bar exam in February 2028, following approval from the Delaware Supreme Court.

New bar exam

The new exam, developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), will replace the current Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) and the Multistate Performance Tasks (MPT) used in the state’s exam.

The NextGen exam, which has been under development since 2018, is set to be adopted by 37 other jurisdictions by 2028.

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With its launch, NCBE will cease offering the MBE and MPT after July 2028. The new exam is designed to assess a broader range of legal knowledge and skills, including core subjects like contract law, constitutional law, civil procedure, criminal law, and torts.

Unlike the current two-day Delaware exam, NextGen will be administered over one and a half days.

It will combine multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and performance tasks, testing applicants on essential legal skills such as research and writing, client counseling, negotiation, and dispute resolution.

The Delaware exam will still include a half-day essay portion, which will feature four essays focused on state-specific legal topics.

The Delaware Board of Bar Examiners has confirmed that the test will continue to be held in February and July each year.

Until the introduction of the NextGen exam, the current format of the MBE, two MPTs, and four Delaware essays will remain in place.