If you live outside of New York, chances are you’ve never heard of them. And if you live in New York, chances are you know them all too well.
What are Regents Exams?
Regents Exams are approximately three-hour tests given across specific subjects to prove each student’s proficiency with the common core learning standards. The tests are administered in January, June and August, although most students take them in June. In order to graduate from high school in New York, students must pass five exams with a score of 65 or higher. The five required Regents Exams include:
- Comprehensive English
- Any one Mathematics exam
- Global History
- US History
- Any one Science exam
If a student scores more than 90 on all of these exams, the term “With Honors” is added to his diploma.
By passing more than five Regents Exams, a student can receive an Advanced Diploma. The exams can include:
- Comprehensive English
- All three Mathematics exams
- Global History
- US History
- One Physical Science and one Life Science exam
- Language other than English
Exceptions are made for some special education students. Those with Individualized Education Programs or a 504 plan may be administered a Regents Competency Test (RCT) in place of the Regents Exams in order to earn a high school diploma.
Why are these exams important?
Regents Exams serve several functions. They ensure that students are actually learning specified material in school. The test results are also used by the state to evaluate how well each school is serving its students. Finally, the exams are a way to identify top performers applying to colleges after graduation.
How can I help my child do well on the Regents Exams?
Just like the ACT and SAT, you can find practice tests and tests from previous years online to help your child prepare for the exams. The biggest asset to scoring well on the exams, however, is to encourage your child throughout his schooling and make sure he fully understands each lesson. It’s much easier to “brush up” on given subjects before the exams than to attempt to completely learn the lessons long after they have been taught.
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