New York Regents Exams: A Complete Introduction
If you're a high-school student in New York — or a parent helping one — the word "Regents" comes up constantly. The Regents Exams are a defining part of the New York education system, and how you do on them shapes which diploma you earn. This guide explains what they are, when you take them, how they're scored, and how to prepare.
What are the Regents Exams?
The New York State Regents Examinations are statewide standardized exams given at the end of specific high-school courses. They're administered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) under the Board of Regents, which has overseen education in New York since 1784. The first Regents exams date to the 1860s–1870s, making them among the oldest standardized exams in the United States.
Unlike a college-entrance test like the SAT, the Regents are end-of-course exams: each one measures whether you've mastered a particular subject's New York State Learning Standards. You sit a Regents exam because you finished the course it covers — and passing it counts toward graduation.
When are they offered?
Regents Exams are administered three times a year:
- June — the main administration, when most students take their exams.
- August — a summer session, often used for retakes.
- January — a winter session, also common for retakes and mid-year completions.
Which subjects have a Regents exam?
Regents exams are offered across four core areas:
- Mathematics: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
- Science: Living Environment (biology), Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics
- Social Studies: Global History & Geography II and U.S. History & Government
- English: English Language Arts (ELA)
At NY Regents Quiz, our practice currently covers Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Biology (Living Environment), Chemistry, and U.S. History & Government.
How are the Regents scored?
Each Regents exam is reported on a 0–100 scaled score. Two numbers every New York student should memorize:
- 65 = passing. A score of 65 or higher earns credit toward a Regents diploma.
- 85 = Mastery. A score of 85 or higher earns "Mastery"-level recognition, which matters for the Advanced Regents diploma and honors designations.
Note that the scaled score is not a straight percentage — NYSED converts your raw points to a scaled score using a conversion chart published with each exam.
Why the Regents matter: your diploma
The Regents are tied directly to graduation. To earn a standard Regents diploma, most students must pass exams across ELA, mathematics, science, and social studies, plus a fourth required assessment — the so-called "4 + 1" pathway. Score 85 or higher across the right set of exams and you can qualify for an Advanced Regents diploma or a diploma "with honors."
What's on a Regents exam?
Most Regents exams combine two kinds of questions:
- Part I — multiple choice. The largest section of every exam: select-the-best-answer questions covering core concepts and skills.
- Parts II–IV — constructed response. Depending on the subject: short answers, show-your-work math, lab-based science questions, and (in ELA and social studies) written essays.
How to prepare
The most effective way to raise a Regents score is practicing real exam-style questions repeatedly, with feedback. Working through multiple-choice questions builds the speed and pattern recognition the Part I section rewards — and reviewing why each answer is right or wrong is where the real learning happens.
NY Regents Quiz focuses on exactly that: NYS-aligned multiple-choice practice with an instant explanation on every question, plus full-length mock exams so you can rehearse under real timing. Browse the subjects and start with free sample questions.
NY Regents Quiz is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with the New York State Education Department. Always confirm current graduation and exam requirements with your school counselor.