It's ITS: The NextGen Bar Exam Delivery Change
For those keeping an eye on developments in the bar exam world, here’s an interesting twist: the National Conference of Bar Examiners announced today that it will be using Internet Testing Systems (ITS) to administer the NextGen Bar Exam, set to launch in July 2026. What makes this particularly curious is that back in January 2024, the NCBE had announced that it would be using Surpass Assessment for exam delivery.
So why the switch?
When asked about the change, the NCBE responded with the following statement:
"At NCBE, we are committed to delivering a valid, reliable, and fair bar exam—one that not only measures legal knowledge and skills effectively but also ensures a seamless candidate experience. We believe that a well-designed testing experience, both leading up to and on exam day, is critical to the integrity of the results. As part of this commitment, we conducted multiple rounds of pre-testing in 2024, evaluating both exam content and test-taker experience. Based on our findings, we have partnered with Internet Testing Systems for the secure and reliable delivery of the NextGen exam. We will continue rigorous system testing throughout 2025 and into 2026 to ensure that examinees have a fair, functional, and well-supported experience when the NextGen exam launches in July 2026."
While this explanation emphasizes pre-testing and the importance of a seamless candidate experience, it leaves open the question of what exactly led to the change. It’s not every day that a major shift in testing platform occurs for an exam as critical as the bar exam.
The California Bar Exam Disaster Looms Large
The timing of this announcement also makes it particularly interesting. Just a few weeks ago, California’s administration of its February 2025 bar exam was marred by a major technical failure that left hundreds of test-takers unable to complete their essays. While the NCBE is not responsible for the California Bar Exam, which was not administered using Surpass, that debacle serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with digital exam administration.
For those unfamiliar, California used Meazure Learning for its recent bar exam. During the February 2025 administration, many test-takers encountered significant technical issues, including system crashes, login failures, and problems with core exam functionalities like copy-and-paste. This led to an outcry from bar applicants, calls for retakes, and major concerns about fairness. The situation served as a stark reminder that even the most well-intended digital solutions can go horribly wrong if not rigorously tested and supported.
With that disaster fresh in everyone’s mind, NCBE’s shift to a new testing platform is worth noting. While the NCBE has emphasized that they will be rigorously testing the NextGen platform, the last thing future examinees need is another exam platform failure.
What This Means for Future Bar Exam Takers
If you’re planning to take the bar exam in July 2026 or beyond, this is a story to follow closely. Here’s why:
The New Platform Is Still Being Tested: While the NCBE assures that ITS will provide a “secure and reliable” exam experience, we don’t yet have details on what those tests have revealed.
The Change Indicates Concerns About Previous Plans: Switching platforms suggests that Surpass Assessment may not have met all of NCBE’s expectations. While that may ultimately be a good thing, it also raises the question of whether ITS will meet all of NCBE's expectations after additional system testing is done.
California’s Issues Are a Warning: Bar examiners and students alike should be hyper-aware of the risks of tech failures on exam day. While ITS may be a better solution, the burden is on NCBE to ensure the rollout is seamless.
Final Thoughts
The bar exam is already one of the most stressful experiences in a law student’s journey. Adding concerns about the reliability of the exam platform is the last thing future examinees need. Hopefully, NCBE’s switch to Internet Testing Systems is a sign of their commitment to avoiding the kinds of disasters that California test-takers faced.
For now, all we can do is keep an eye on further updates. In the meantime, future bar takers should prepare as if the exam will be administered seamlessly—but also remain aware that technical issues can and do happen.
