What is the format of the Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam?

Northern Mariana Islands administers the NextGen UBE, a fully computer-based exam delivered on examinee laptops through NCBE's secure browser. The exam runs three sessions over one and a half days; each session has approximately 40 multiple-choice questions, two Integrated Question Sets, and one Performance Task. Standalone multiple-choice questions make up 49%, integrated question sets 21%, and performance tasks 30% of the overall exam score.

When is the Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam in 2026 and 2027?

Upcoming Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam administrations: July 2026 (first NextGen): Tue–Wed, July 28–29, 2026; February 2027: Tue–Wed, February 23–24, 2027; July 2027: Tue–Wed, July 27–28, 2027 (anticipated).

What subjects are tested on the Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam?

The NextGen UBE tests nine subjects: Agency & Partnerships, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Corporations & LLCs, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. It also assesses seven foundational lawyering skills: Legal Research, Legal Writing, Issue Spotting and Analysis, Investigation and Evaluation, Client Counseling and Advising, Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, and Client Relationship and Management.

What is the passing score for the Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam?

A NextGen UBE score of 615 (on a 500-750 scale) is required to pass the Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam. The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) minimum is 85.

Does Northern Mariana Islands accept UBE score transfers?

NextGen UBE score transfers are accepted beginning July 2026 with a minimum score of 615. Transferred MBE scores are not accepted.

The MP Exam is in
00DAYS : 00HRS : 00MIN : 00SEC
Start Preparing

Home Bar Review Courses Northern Mariana Islan...

Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam Information

Name: BarMax Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam Review
Price: 899.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (4617 reviews)

Get Detailed Information About The Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam Including Schedules, Grading, Reciprocity, Fees, Common Questions & More.

Northern Mariana Islands administers the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (NextGen UBE), a computer-based bar examination written by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). The first NextGen UBE in Northern Mariana Islands is administered in July 2026. Northern Mariana Islands administered its final legacy Uniform Bar Exam in February 2026 (legacy UBE-based exam plus CNMI essays). The NextGen UBE tests nine substantive subjects alongside seven foundational lawyering skills.

The exam runs three sessions over one and a half days. Each session consists of approximately 40 standalone multiple-choice questions, two Integrated Question Sets (IQS), and one Performance Task. The required passing score in Northern Mariana Islands is 615 on a scale from 500 to 750. Applicants must also satisfy Northern Mariana Islands’s professional responsibility requirement by passing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with a score of 85 or higher.

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is one of the first-wave NextGen UBE jurisdictions, adopting the NextGen UBE beginning July 2026. The CNMI bar exam includes the NextGen UBE plus two CNMI-specific essay questions covering Northern Mariana Islands law. CNMI is not a traditional UBE jurisdiction — the CNMI bar exam score is not portable to other jurisdictions (CNMI does not have reciprocity with other UBE jurisdictions at this time).

Subjects & Skills

The NextGen UBE tests both substantive knowledge across nine subject areas and competency in seven foundational lawyering skills.

Subjects

Agency & Partnerships
Civil Procedure
Constitutional Law
Contracts
Corporations & LLCs
Criminal Law and Procedure
Evidence
Real Property
Torts

Skills

Legal Research
Legal Writing
Issue Spotting and Analysis
Investigation and Evaluation
Client Counseling and Advising
Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
Client Relationship and Management

Multiple-Choice Questions

Standalone multiple-choice questions make up 49% of the NextGen UBE in Northern Mariana Islands. Questions come in two formats: select one of four options, or select two of six options.

You can receive partial credit if you select one of the two correct options in a "select two of six" question. There is no penalty for guessing on either type of question, so you should always pick the number of answers required by the prompt, even if you are not sure about one of your choices.

Integrated Question Sets (IQS)

Integrated Question Sets account for 21% of NextGen exam time in Northern Mariana Islands. Each set is based on a common fact scenario and may include legal resources such as statutory sections or portions of judicial opinions alongside the facts. Question formats are multiple-choice, short-answer, and medium-answer.

Sample short-answer prompts may ask you to identify facts that support a party’s position, to articulate arguments for a proposition, or to suggest provisions for a settlement agreement. You may also be required to assess a legal document such as a pleading or contract, identifying and explaining errors.

Performance Tasks

There is one Performance Task in each of the three testing sessions, accounting for 30% of NextGen exam time. Like the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) used in the legacy UBE, NextGen Performance Tasks require examinees to use lawyering skills in realistic situations.

Two of the Performance Tasks are standalone Performance Tasks (PTs), each requiring one extended written response. The third is a Legal Research Performance Task (LRPT), which combines multiple-choice and short-answer questions followed by a medium-length writing assignment.

Filing Deadlines & Fees

Upcoming Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam Administrations

Administration	Dates
July 2026 (first NextGen)	Tue–Wed, July 28–29, 2026
February 2027	Tue–Wed, February 23–24, 2027
July 2027	Tue–Wed, July 27–28, 2027 (anticipated)

Filing Deadlines & Fees

Filing deadlines and fees are published by the CNMI Judiciary. Contact the office directly for the current schedule. CNMI active attorneys must complete 20 CLE hours every 2 years (up to 10 carryover); new attorneys must also complete a professionalism course.

Administration	Deadline	Fee
July 2026	Per CNMI Supreme Court schedule	Contact CNMI Judiciary
February 2027	Per CNMI Supreme Court schedule	Contact CNMI Judiciary

Grading & Scoring

NextGen UBE scores are reported on a scale from 500 to 750. The passing score in Northern Mariana Islands is 615.

The exam is weighted as follows:

Standalone multiple-choice questions: 49%
Integrated Question Sets: 21%
Performance Tasks: 30%

All written responses are dual graded. NextGen exam scores are equated to ensure that an official NextGen UBE score earned in any jurisdiction and at any administration has the same meaning.

Required MPRE Score: 85.

Results

Results are typically released approximately 8–12 weeks after each administration.

Reciprocity & Score Transfers

NextGen UBE Score Transfer

Northern Mariana Islands accepts transferred NextGen UBE scores beginning July 2026 with a minimum score of 615.

MBE Score Transfer

Northern Mariana Islands does not accept transferred MBE scores; applicants must take all NextGen UBE sessions in Northern Mariana Islands during the same administration.

Northern Mariana Islands Bar Exam Schedule

The NextGen UBE in Northern Mariana Islands is administered over one and a half days, on the last consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday of each February and July. The exam consists of three sessions, each lasting approximately three hours.

Each session contains:

~40 standalone multiple-choice questions
2 Integrated Question Sets (IQS)
1 Performance Task

Standard testing site: Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

NextGen UBE Format

The NextGen UBE is a fully computer-based exam delivered through NCBE’s secure browser on examinee laptops. There is no handwriting and no paper question booklet. Applicants must pay a non-refundable software fee and complete all mandatory technology and readiness steps no later than seven (7) days before the exam.

For detailed information about NextGen UBE structure, timing, and content, see the NCBE NextGen UBE page.

Supreme Court of the Northern Mariana Islands — CNMI Judiciary Contact Information

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Supreme Court

P.O. Box 502165

Saipan, MP 96950

https://www.nmijudiciary.gov/bar-admissions

court.info@justice.gov.mp

Phone: (670) 236-9800

BarMax MBE Course Structure & Features

Note: Our MBE course covers only the MBE section of the MP Bar Exam.

Comprehensive & Concise

BarMax MBE includes all MBE topics subdivided into 7-8 subtopics to make the study material easier to absorb.
Superior Content

Each subtopics include an in-depth outline, an audio lecture from a Harvard-educated law professor, and when appropriate, numerous flashcards and multiple-choice MBE questions from previous exams. You will also receive the outines in printed hardcopy format.
Instant Access

When you enroll in BarMax MBE your study materials are available instantly so you can start immediately and study at your pace. Plus, there are no additional fees to access the full course after the exam.

Included with BarMax MBE

	20+ Hours of Lectures from Harvard Law School-educated law professors
	Live Classes replays available on demand
	1,950+ Real MBE Questions from previous bar exams
	400+ Flashcards categorized by subject
	Hardcopy Materials outlines + MBE questions
	Digital Welcome Packet • Manageable study calendar sample
	Instant Access
	Lifetime Access Upgrade (+$500) unlimited access until you pass
	Unparalleled Support phone, email, chat & message boards