General Counsel
Consulting
provided
exceptional
service in helping
my organization
recruit for a hard
to fill position.
They did extensive
work on the front
end to understand
our needs and
our culture and
began referring
highly qualified
candidates almost
immediately.
Melinda Burrows
Deputy General Counsel
- Litigation and
Compliance, Progress
Energy Service Company
LLC
Articles By Harrison Barnes From BCG Attorney Search
The 2026 US bar exam score fell in July. The result has raised concerns about bar exam performance across the country.
The average Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) score was 140.7 in July 2026. That was 1.7 points below the 142.4 average from July 2025.
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) released the latest MBE figures on September 2. The result marked the first yearly drop in the average MBE score since 2022.
However, the lower score does not mean that national pass rates will fall. Early results from several states do show weaker results.
Key Takeaways
The July 2026 average MBE score was 140.7.
The score fell 1.7 points from July 2025.
The July 2025 MBE average was 142.4.
The average score fell for the first time since 2022.
Arkansas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin reported pass-rate drops of at least five points.
About 44,472 people took the July 2026 MBE.
MBE participation fell by about 5% from the year before.
Ten jurisdictions gave the new NextGen Bar Exam in July.
NextGen scores were not part of the 140.7 MBE average.
The NCBE expects to release the national NextGen average in October.
July 2026 MBE Score Drops to 140.7
The July 2026 MBE score offers an early look at bar exam results.
The MBE has 200 multiple-choice questions. It tests knowledge of key areas of law.
Many US jurisdictions use the MBE as part of their bar exam.
This year’s average fell to 140.7. Last year’s average was 142.4.
The drop stands out because the July 2025 average reached a 12-year high. Therefore, the latest result reverses some of last year’s gains.
However, the national MBE average does not decide whether a person passes the bar.
Each jurisdiction has its own scoring rules. It also has its own passing score.
How Much Did the MBE Score Change?
The change was 1.7 points. That may seem small, but it can matter when viewed with state results.
July Exam
Average MBE Score
2025
142.4
2026
140.7
Change
-1.7 points
The 1.7-point drop was the largest yearly decline since 2018. The comparison excludes 2020 because the pandemic affected that year’s exam.
Early States Report Lower Pass Rates
Several states have already reported July bar exam results.
Arkansas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin were among the first states to report their results.
Each state saw its pass rate fall by at least five percentage points.
However, these results do not prove a national decline. More states need to report their results first.
The additional data should give law schools and students a better view of the 2026 exam.
Why State Results Matter
The national MBE average offers a useful guide. However, state pass rates show how candidates performed in each jurisdiction.
States also have different passing rules. As a result, pass rates can vary from one state to another.
A lower national MBE score does not mean every state will see lower results.
More state results should provide a clearer picture.
NextGen Bar Exam Did Not Affect MBE Scores
The 2026 exam cycle also includes a major change.
Ten jurisdictions gave the new NextGen Bar Exam in July. However, those candidates were not included in the MBE results.
Therefore, the 140.7 average covers candidates who took the traditional MBE.
The NextGen exam tests a wider range of skills. It also uses a different approach from the traditional exam.
This change could affect how law schools prepare students for the bar.
The NCBE expects to release a national NextGen average in October. That result will give schools and students another useful benchmark.
Fewer Candidates Took the July MBE
Fewer people took the MBE this year.
About 44,472 candidates took the July 2026 MBE. That was about 5% fewer than in July 2025.
The shift to the NextGen exam in 10 jurisdictions helped drive the decline.
Meanwhile, first-time candidates made up about 76% of July MBE test takers. First-time candidates made up about 77% in July 2025.
The smaller group makes year-to-year comparisons harder. Still, the MBE average remains an important national measure.
What the Lower MBE Score Means
The latest results show why bar preparation matters.
A strong law school record does not guarantee bar exam success.
Students must know key legal rules. They must also apply those rules quickly.
Regular practice can help candidates improve speed and accuracy. Timed practice tests can also help students prepare for exam conditions.
Furthermore, future candidates face a changing bar exam system.
The growth of the NextGen exam means students may need to prepare for new question types and skills.
Bar Preparation May Need to Change
Law schools are also watching these changes.
The lower MBE average may lead schools to review their bar programs. Schools may also look at how students use new technology.
Artificial intelligence is now common in legal education. Students can use AI tools to explain legal topics and organize study materials.
However, there is no evidence that AI caused the lower MBE score in 2026.
Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller has raised questions about AI use in education. He has suggested that heavy AI use could affect how students build basic knowledge.
Still, no direct link has been shown between AI use and the latest MBE results.
That difference matters as schools study new technology.
Testing Accommodations Draw Attention
Testing conditions can also affect how students prepare.
Some law students receive testing accommodations. These may include extra time.
Bar exams have their own rules. Therefore, some students may face different time limits on the bar exam.
However, there is no evidence that testing accommodations caused the lower MBE average.
The larger question is how schools can better prepare students for professional exams.
2026 Bar Exam Results and the Legal Industry
The latest numbers matter to more than law students.
Law firms and legal recruiters watch bar passage rates closely. Passing the bar is an important step for new lawyers.
A long-term drop in pass rates could affect hiring and start dates for new associates.
Law schools also face pressure to prepare graduates for legal practice.
Therefore, bar results can affect discussions about legal education and career outcomes.
Recruiters should still view the MBE average as a national measure. It does not show how well one candidate will perform.
The 2026 Bar Exam Is Changing
The July MBE score gives the legal industry an early signal.
The average score fell to 140.7. Several states also reported lower pass rates.
However, the full picture is not available yet.
More states will release their results. Those figures will help show whether the decline is part of a wider trend.
The first national NextGen results will also be important. The NCBE expects to release those results in October.
For now, law students should focus on strong preparation. Legal knowledge, practice, and time management remain important.
FAQs
What was the average MBE score in July 2026?
The average MBE score was 140.7 in July 2026. That was 1.7 points lower than the 142.4 average in July 2025.
Did the 2026 MBE score increase or decrease?
The average score decreased. It fell from 142.4 in July 2025 to 140.7 in July 2026.
Is 140.7 a passing bar exam score?
Not by itself. The MBE is one part of the bar exam in jurisdictions that use it.
Each jurisdiction has its own passing standard. Therefore, a 140.7 national average is not a universal passing score.
Why did the July 2026 MBE score fall?
The available data does not identify one cause.
Several issues are being discussed. These include changes in the test-taking group, legal education, technology use, and the move to the NextGen exam.
However, no single factor has been shown to cause the decline.
Did the NextGen Bar Exam lower the MBE average?
No. NextGen candidates were not included in the July 2026 MBE results.
The 140.7 average reflects candidates who took the traditional MBE.
How many people took the July 2026 MBE?
About 44,472 people took the July 2026 MBE.
That was about 5% fewer than the previous year. The move to the NextGen exam in 10 jurisdictions helped reduce the MBE test group.
Which states reported lower July 2026 pass rates?
Arkansas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin were among the first states to report results.
Each reported a pass-rate decline of at least five percentage points.
More states are expected to report their results.
When will NextGen Bar Exam results be released?
The NCBE expects to release the national NextGen average in October 2026.
The results will give the legal education community an early view of performance on the new exam.
What does the lower MBE score mean for law students?
The lower average shows the need for focused bar preparation.
Students should learn the tested subjects well. They should also practice answering questions under time limits.
Meanwhile, future candidates should watch how the NextGen exam changes bar preparation.
What Comes Next for the US Bar Exam?
The July 2026 MBE results offer an early warning for law schools and bar candidates.
The average score fell to 140.7. Several states also reported lower pass rates.
However, the results do not prove that national pass rates will fall.
More state results will provide a better picture. The first national NextGen results will also add important data.
For aspiring lawyers, the message is clear. Strong bar preparation remains essential as the US bar exam continues to change.
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