Regents Exams in NY—What Are They?

Hi everyone! I'm going to be moving to New York soon and I heard about Regents exams being a big deal there. Can someone explain what Regents exams are and why they're important? How do they affect my high school transcript, and do colleges outside of NY care about them? Thanks!

Hi there! Regents exams are state-administered standardized tests in New York, designed to measure a student's understanding of the core subjects in high school. These subjects typically include English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. They are part of the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) overall assessment program.

Regents exams are important for a few reasons. Firstly, they are often used as a graduation requirement for high school students in NY. Depending on your high school's specific requirements, you may need to pass a certain number of Regents exams with a specific minimum score in order to receive a Regents diploma, which is the most common type of high school diploma in New York state.

Secondly, these exams can also affect your high school transcript, as they are often included alongside your coursework grades as a separate component of your academic profile. In some cases, your performance on the Regents exams may also be taken into account when determining class placements or even college-readiness.

As for how colleges outside of NY view Regents exams, they generally carry less weight compared to your overall GPA, course rigor, and other standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. However, colleges may still consider your performance on these exams, especially if you are applying to institutions that are familiar with the New York education system. It's always a good idea to check with the specific colleges you're interested in to see how they view Regents exams.

In summary, Regents exams are standardized tests used to assess student knowledge in core high school subjects in New York state. While their importance in the college application process may vary depending on the institution, it's essential to perform well on these exams to fulfill your high school's graduation requirements and maintain a strong academic profile.