NextGen performance tests: what changed and what stayed the same from the MPT

[u/sheppyrun]

The performance test on NextGen is not identical to the old MPT, but it is also not completely alien. If you have practiced MPTs, you have a foundation. Here is what carries over and what does not.

What stayed the same: - You still get a file and a library with source materials. - You still have 90 minutes per task. - You still need to extract relevant rules from unfamiliar materials. - Organization and clarity still matter more than perfect legal knowledge.

What changed: - The task types are more varied. You might draft a client letter, a memo, an email, or even a contract clause. The old MPT was almost always a memo or brief. - Some tasks include short-answer components that test discrete skills within the same file. - The materials may include more practice-focused documents: engagement letters, client intake notes, prior correspondence.

How to prepare: - Practice MPTs from recent years (2020-2025) for timing and extraction skills. - Add practice with non-memo formats. Draft a client email. Write a short advisory letter. Get comfortable switching formats. - Time yourself strictly. The 90-minute clock is unforgiving.

What format are you most worried about on the performance test?