NextGen UBE Passing Scores by State 2027: 610-620 Range and Current Decisions

There is no single national NextGen UBE passing score

NextGen UBE official scores use a 500-750 scale. Each jurisdiction sets its own minimum passing score. NCBE recommends that jurisdictions consider a range of 610-620, but the recommendation is not a universal cutoff.

Current announced examples

NCBE's current minimum-score page lists multiple announced thresholds, including 610, 612, 614, 615, 616 and 620 depending on jurisdiction. Oregon used 615 for July 2026 and set 620 for later NextGen administrations. Other jurisdictions have not yet announced a final score.

Why 610-620 appears frequently

NCBE's recommended range is based on psychometric research and maps roughly to the legacy UBE passing-score range of 260-270. The scales are different, so the numbers should not be compared by simple arithmetic outside the official mapping.

Passing score versus transferred-score threshold

A jurisdiction's local passing score can differ from the minimum score it accepts for transfer. Applicants planning portability must check both values.

How to use a score target responsibly

Do not prepare merely to hit the minimum score in practice. Practice performance varies, and a jurisdiction can revise rules. Build a margin above the current threshold while continuing to verify the official requirement.

FAQ

Is 620 the passing score everywhere?

No. Several jurisdictions use 620, but others use different thresholds.

What score range does NCBE recommend?

NCBE recommends jurisdictions consider 610-620 on the NextGen 500-750 scale.

Can a transfer threshold differ?

Yes. Check the destination jurisdiction's transfer rule separately.

Examples of announced thresholds

As of this review, NCBE lists 610 for Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota and Washington; 612 for Guam and Palau; 614 for Indiana; 615 for the Northern Mariana Islands; 616 for Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and 620 for several jurisdictions including Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Check NCBE again because the list grows as courts announce decisions.

Why a minimum should not become your practice target

Practice scores contain measurement noise and do not perfectly predict the official result. Aiming exactly at the published minimum leaves little margin for an off day. Use the jurisdiction threshold for planning, but judge readiness from repeated full-length or representative practice under realistic conditions.

What if your jurisdiction still says TBA?

Prepare to the published NextGen blueprint rather than waiting for a number. Follow the jurisdiction's court orders and admissions notices, and avoid claims that an unofficial converted legacy score guarantees the eventual threshold.