NextGen Family Law Outline Open for Public Comment Through July 26
The deadline for public comments on the preliminary family law subject matter outline has been extended to August 8, 2024.
NCBE is pleased to share the preliminary NextGen bar exam family law subject matter outline. The outline is available online, and the public is encouraged to submit comments through July 26, 2024.
From July 2026 through February 2028, family law concepts will appear on every NextGen exam in a performance task and may also be included in integrated question sets. During this period, family law concepts will be tested with the provision of legal resources. Starting in July 2028, family law will be included in the foundational concepts and principles tested on the NextGen bar exam and will be tested in the same manner as the other foundational concepts and principles. The subject matter outline shows the doctrinal law that will be tested starting in July 2028.
- Preliminary family law outline and public comment form (including a PDF of the outline)
- Explanation of how family law will be tested on the NextGen bar exam
- Alignment of NextGen and MEE topics starting in July 2026
- NextGen bar exam sample questions
- NCBE Announces Update to NextGen Exam Content, Extends Availability of Current Bar Exam (Oct. 25, 2023)
- NCBE Announces Members of NextGen Family Law Content Scope Panel (February 13, 2024)
About the Next Generation of the Bar Exam
Set to debut in July 2026, the NextGen bar exam will test a broad range of foundational lawyering skills, utilizing a focused set of clearly identified fundamental legal concepts and principles needed in today’s practice of law. The skills and concepts to be tested were developed through a multi-year, nationwide legal practice analysis, focused on the most important knowledge and skills for newly licensed lawyers. Designed to balance the skills and knowledge needed in litigation and transactional legal practice, the exam will reflect many of the key changes that law schools are making today. NCBE is committed to ensuring a systematic, transparent, and collaborative implementation process, informed by input from and participation by stakeholders, and guided by best practices and the professional standards for high-stakes testing. For more information, visit https://nextgenbarexam.ncbex.org/ or https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen.
NextGen media resources: https://www.ncbex.org/media-resources