Regents Exams Information
Dear Students and Families,
It is hard to believe that the school year is quickly coming to a close. As we approach the upcoming June 2022 New York State-wide Regents examination period, families have shared they need a refresher on Regents regulations.
At LaGuardia, all students who are enrolled in a course that culminates with a Regents Exam are expected to take the exam, and are automatically registered for the exam. Regents Exam days are not regular days of instruction, so only students who are registered for an exam or scheduled for a special activity, attend. We are providing you with a set of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Regents exams. More information about reporting times and locations for individual Regents exams will be communicated as we get closer to the date of the exams.
In classes which culminate in a Regents exam, preparing students for the exam is an integral part of instruction. Teachers have been working with students throughout the year by regularly integrating multiple choice and extended response Regents style questions into their lessons through examples, class activities, problem sets, essay prompts and end of unit exams. If students would like additional practice, all previous Regents exams as well as scoring guides can be found on the NYSED Regents website.
In this letter you will find answers to questions such as:
- Why is there a Social Studies Regents exam that occurs separate from the rest of the exams?
- In which grades do students take each of the Regents exams?
- How does a Regents exam score impact the overall grade in a class?
- What is the difference between a Regents Diploma and an Advanced Regents Diploma?
- What is a Regents waiver? And how does it impact graduation requirements?
- How does a student achieve Mastery on a Regents Exam?
- What is an Honors Designation?
- What happens if a student is absent on the day of a Regents exam?
- What happens if a student does not pass a Regents exam?
- What is the Science Regents laboratory requirement?
1. Why is there a Social Studies Regents exam that occurs separate from the rest of the exams?
There is a special examination for US History and Government (Framework) on June 1, followed by all other Regents exams, beginning June 15. It has been the practice of the State that whenever a new version of a Regents exam is administered, it is given in early June to ensure the State has enough time to process the data on student performance.
2. In which grades do students take each of the Regents exams?
Students take Regents exams at the conclusion of the Regents course. The table illustrates when LaGuardia students typically sit for each Regents exam, based on the courses that LaGuardia students typically take in each grade: |
9th Grade |
10th Grade |
11th Grade |
12th Grade |
Algebra 1 OR Geometry Living Environment OR Chemistry |
English Language Arts Geometry OR Algebra 2 Chemistry OR Physics Global History and Geography II |
Algebra 2 Physics U.S. History and Government (Framework)* World Language Exam [a City Exam, not a State Regents] |
Arts Commencement Exam [a City Exam, not a State Regents] Please direct questions about these exams to studio APs and Arts teachers |
3. How does a Regents score impact the overall grade in a class?
At LaGuardia, the Regents score is not factored into the class grade.
4. What is the difference between a Regents Diploma and an Advanced Regents Diploma?
The type of diploma a student receives is based on the number and subjects of exams that a student passes. It is not based on the course credits a student earns, or the actual passing score that the student earns.
All students at LaGuardia work towards the highest level of diploma offered by the State - the Advanced Regents Diploma, which requires a score of 65 or above on
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The English Language Arts Regents exam
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3 Math exams (Algebra 1, Geometry, AND Algebra 2)
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1 Social Studies exam (Global History and Geography II OR US History and Government)
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1 Biological Science exam (Living Environment)
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1 Physical Science exam (Chemistry, Earth Science, OR Physics)
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Any additional Regents exam
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The Arts Commencement exam OR The World Language exam
A Regents Diploma requires a score of 65 or above on
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The English Language Arts Regents exam
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Any Math exam (Algebra 1, Geometry, OR Algebra 2)
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Any Social Studies exam (Global History and Geography II OR US History and Government)
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Any Science exam (Living Environment, Chemistry, Earth Science, OR Physics)
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Any additional Regents exam OR The World Language exam
5. What is a Regents Waiver? And How Does it Impact Graduation Requirements?
New York State Regents exams were suspended between June 2020 and January 2022 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During this time period, students who received a passing grade for Regents courses, received a waiver for the exam that was not offered at the conclusion of the course. This includes Regents classes that some LaGuardia students took in middle school, such as Algebra 1, Earth Science, Living Environment, Global History, and United State History. A Regents waiver means that the graduation/diploma requirement has been satisfied and there is no expectation that the student takes the exam at a later time. Waivers are passing scores and appear on students’ transcripts as “WA.” Waivers are not included in the average when calculating whether a student meets special diploma designations. To review your transcript log into your myschools.nyc account, PupilPath, or connect with your guidance counselor.
6. What does Achieving Mastery on Regents Exams Mean?
The New York State Education Department defines “mastery” as a score of 85 or greater, with the exception of the English Language Arts exam, for which students must earn a 90 or greater to attain mastery status.
Students who achieve mastery on all 3 math exams will receive a Mastery in Math designation on their diploma. Students who achieve mastery on the Living Environment and 2 physical science exams will receive a Mastery in Science designation on their diploma. Waivers qualify as mastery; for example, if a student has a WA, 87, and 90 on the three math Regents, the student has achieved Mastery in Math. If a student has an 84, 87, and 90 on the three math Regents, the student has NOT achieved Mastery in Math.
The City University of New York (CUNY) schools may use Regents scores for admission or placement in specific programs. For the most up to date information on what CUNY requires, visit CUNY Testing FAQS.
7. What is an Honors Designation on my Diploma?
A student who achieves an average score of 90 on all Regents Examinations required for the diploma will be awarded a Regents diploma with Honors. In instances where students received a waiver from Regents Examinations, the waiver is not included in the calculation for the honors endorsement.
8. What happens if a student is absent on the day of a Regents exam?
If a student is absent, the designation ABS will appear on the transcript. The student will have the opportunity to take the missed Regents exam at a future administration in August, January, or June.
9. What happens if a student does not pass a Regents exam?
If a student does not receive a passing score, the student will have the opportunity to retake the missed Regents exam at a future administration in August, January, or June. Regents exams are graded on a scale and typically, students who make adequate progress and pass the course, earn a passing grade on the Regents exam.
10. What is the Science Regents Laboratory Requirement?
To qualify to take a Regents Examination in any of the sciences, New York State requires each student must complete 1,200 minutes of laboratory experience with satisfactory documented laboratory reports. Your child’s science teacher will notify you and your child if they are in jeopardy of meeting the minimum minute requirement, in order to put a plan in place to ensure they meet the requirement and have the opportunity to take the Regents exam. If you have any questions about your child's progress towards satisfying the requirement, please reach out to your science teacher directly.
We hope you find this information helpful as you prepare to take Regents Examinations in your current courses. If you have questions about graduation requirements or diploma designations please reach out to your child's guidance counselor. If you have questions about Regents exams in a specific content area, please reach out to the appropriate assistant principal.
Sincerely,
Alyssa, Julissa and Matteo
Assistant Principal - Math and Science
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Alyssa Collins, acollins10@schools.nyc.gov
Assistant Principal - English
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Julissa Marrero, jmarrer3@schools.nyc.gov
Assistant Principal - Social Studies and World Languages
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Matteo Mannino, mmannino@schools.nyc.gov