Regents

The New York State Regents Examinations are a series of exams that measure achievement in high school courses and are typically required by New York public high schools for graduation.

Bespoke has been helping students succeed on these exams for nearly two decades. Our comprehensive approach includes developing general test-taking skills, covering the unique structure of each Regents Exam that a student is taking, and reviewing course content with one of our dedicated experts.

Whether you’re ready to begin tutoring immediately or just have questions about these tests, our client services team is looking forward to speaking with you! You’ll talk to a knowledgeable, caring individual who will create a test prep plan and pair you with the perfect tutor for your student’s personality and learning style.

There are a total of 10 Regents Examinations currently offered by New York State:

  • English Language Arts
  • Algebra I
  • Algebra II
  • Geometry
  • Chemistry
  • Earth Science
  • Living Environment
  • Physics
  • Global History and Geography
  • United States History and Government

About the Regents Examinations

Who takes the Regents Exams?
Generally, a student in a New York State public school needs to pass five of the ten Regents exams in order to graduate from high school. In addition, some public schools use Regents exams as final assessments for high school classes.

Do private school students need to take the Regents Exams?
No, most private school students do not need to take the Regents Exams, though some private schools may choose to administer them.

How are the Regents Exams scored?
The Regents exams are scored on a scale of 0–100, with 65 considered a passing grade. These scores are “curved” based on the results of all students taking the exam in a particular year, meaning the score does not directly reflect a percentage of questions answered correctly.

Can students take the Regents Exams multiple times?
Yes, students can take each Regents Exam as many times as they want, but their guidance counselors must help them register well in advance of the test date. Only the highest score on each Regents exam will be counted.

What is a “good” grade on the Regents Exams?
While a score of 65 is required to pass a Regents Exam, only a score of 85 or above indicates “mastery” of the subject. As a result, some CUNY and SUNY colleges and programs require scores of 85 or above. In addition, since some classes use Regents Exams in place of final exams, a higher score may be necessary to achieve an “A” grade in a class.

What is the format of the Regents Exams?
The format of each Regents Exam depends upon the subject that is being tested. Some questions are multiple choice while others require written responses—including essays, DBQs, and other open-ended questions. Most Regents Exams are three hours long—with the exception of Earth Science, which has an additional laboratory component.

When are the Regents Exams given?
Regents Exams are generally given in January, June, and August. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the January 2021 Regents Exams have been canceled and it is unclear at this point whether the June 2021 Exams will be held as scheduled.

Where can I get more information on the Regents Exams?
For more information on the Regents Exams, please visit the NYC Department of Education website.