Passing the bar exam is the last gate between law school and a licence to practise, and for most graduates a commercial prep course is how they get through it. Choosing the right one matters, both for your chances and for your budget, which can run from about a thousand dollars to nearly six. In 2026 the decision comes with an added twist: the exam itself is changing.
The NextGen Bar Exam is here. It is first administered on 28 and 29 July 2026 in ten jurisdictions, and it rolls out across most of the country through 2027 and 2028. Which exam you sit, and therefore which prep course you need, now depends on your state and your year.
This guide covers both halves of the decision: what the NextGen change means and when it reaches your state, and which prep courses are the best fit by budget and study style. The rollout schedule and course details are sourced and linked at the foot of the page.
Key takeaways
- Barbri is the comprehensive, structured market leader; Themis (owned by UWorld) is the strong value option with a top-tier question bank; together they hold most of the market.
- Kaplan offers the largest practice-question bank, and Quimbee is the most affordable full course at around US$1,200.
- UWorld is the leading source of realistic multiple-choice (MBE) practice, and now owns Themis.
- The NextGen Bar Exam starts in July 2026 in ten jurisdictions and replaces the current Uniform Bar Exam through 2028. Check your state's date before you buy, and confirm the course covers the exam you will actually sit.
The NextGen Bar Exam: what is changing, and when
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) has built a new exam, the NextGen Bar Exam, that integrates legal knowledge with lawyering skills rather than testing them separately, and reduces the number of doctrinal subjects. It replaces the current Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) as the basis for score portability between states.
The rollout is phased, and it is the single most important thing to check before buying a course.
- July 2026 (first administration): Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Palau, the US Virgin Islands and Washington.
- July 2027: Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.
- July 2028: most remaining UBE jurisdictions, including New York, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Georgia.
According to the NCBE, the legacy UBE will be phased out after the February 2028 exam. Not every state uses the UBE (California and Louisiana, for example, run their own exams), so always confirm your jurisdiction's plan directly. When you buy a course, make sure it is built for the version of the exam your state will administer on your test date.
How to choose a bar prep course
Beyond NextGen readiness, four factors decide the fit.
- Structure versus flexibility: some students need a fixed daily schedule that tells them exactly what to do; others prefer to set their own pace. This is the biggest personality split between courses.
- Question-bank quality: the multiple-choice MBE is scored heavily, and realistic practice questions with good explanations are the best predictor of readiness.
- Essay and performance feedback: written scores matter, and detailed, personalised feedback is where the pricier courses earn their fee.
- Budget: the range is wide. A more expensive course is not automatically better for you if a cheaper one matches how you learn.
| Course | Best for | Approx. price (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Barbri | Comprehensive, structured study with essay feedback | US$1,999 to US$5,999 |
| Themis (UWorld) | Value plus a top MBE question bank | ~US$2,895 to US$2,995 |
| Kaplan | The largest bank of practice questions | ~US$2,000 to US$3,000 |
| Quimbee | The most affordable full course | ~US$1,200 |
| UWorld MBE / AdaptiBar | MBE practice as a supplement | ~US$400 to US$500 |
| JD Advising | Essay and MEE help, plus tutoring | Varies |
The leading bar prep courses
Barbri and Themis
Barbri is the long-standing market leader and the most comprehensive option, with detailed outlines, a highly structured daily schedule and thorough essay feedback. Its packages run from an Essentials tier near US$1,999 to an Extended tier close to US$5,999. Themis, now owned by UWorld, is the value champion: it costs less, includes UWorld's licensed MBE questions, and delivers content in shorter lecture segments that many students prefer. Together, Barbri and Themis still account for the large majority of the market.
Kaplan, Quimbee and UWorld
Kaplan stands out for the sheer size of its practice-question bank and its flexible, on-demand format. Quimbee is the most affordable of the full courses at around US$1,200, with a clean interface, graded essays and a large video library. UWorld itself is the gold standard for realistic MBE practice and detailed answer explanations, used both inside Themis and as a standalone question bank.
Budget and supplement options worth considering
Not everyone needs a full-price course. Supplements and budget tools such as AdaptiBar for MBE practice, JD Advising for essay and MEE coaching, and audio-based options such as Crushendo can either stand in for a full course on a tight budget or reinforce a weak area alongside one. Match the tool to your specific gap, and try a free trial where one is offered before you commit.
Full course or supplements?
For most first-time takers, a full course provides the structure and accountability that carry them through eight to ten weeks of intense study, and is worth the cost. Supplements come into their own in two situations: when budget is genuinely tight, a strong MBE question bank plus free outlines can substitute for a full course, and for repeat takers, targeted help on a specific weakness (often essays or a particular subject) is more efficient than paying again for a whole program. Whatever you choose, the amount of realistic practice you complete matters more than the brand on the box.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bar prep course?
Barbri is the most comprehensive and structured, and the market leader. Themis, owned by UWorld, is the best value and includes a top-tier MBE question bank. Kaplan has the largest practice-question bank, and Quimbee is the most affordable full course. The best fit depends on your budget and study style.
How much does a bar prep course cost?
Full courses range from about US$1,200 for Quimbee to US$1,999 to US$5,999 for Barbri depending on the package, with Themis around US$2,895 to US$2,995. Supplements such as an MBE question bank cost roughly US$400 to US$500.
When does the NextGen Bar Exam start?
The NextGen Bar Exam is first administered on 28 and 29 July 2026 in ten jurisdictions, including Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon and Washington. Further states adopt it in July 2027 and July 2028, and the current Uniform Bar Exam is phased out after February 2028.
Do I need a different course for the NextGen Bar Exam?
You need a course built for the version of the exam your state will administer on your test date. Major providers offer NextGen-specific preparation, so confirm your jurisdiction's rollout year and choose the matching course.
Is Barbri or Themis better?
Barbri offers more structure, more detailed outlines and stronger essay feedback, while Themis costs less, uses shorter lectures and includes UWorld's MBE questions. Structured learners often prefer Barbri; self-paced, budget-conscious students often prefer Themis.
The bottom line
First, confirm which exam your state administers on your date, because NextGen changes the target. Then choose the course that matches how you actually study: Barbri for structure, Themis for value, Kaplan for practice volume, Quimbee for budget. And remember that completed practice, not the brand, passes the bar. For what comes next, browse legal jobs in the United States and see the shape of the profession in our guide to how many law firms are in the US, or explore roles worldwide on LegalAlphabet.
Sources and further reading
- NCBE, about the NextGen Bar Exam and the jurisdiction rollout schedule.
- UWorld Legal, bar prep course comparison (2026).
- JD Advising, bar prep course comparison (2026).
Last reviewed July 2026. Course prices and NextGen adoption dates change; confirm with each provider and your jurisdiction's bar admission authority before deciding.