Starting in grade 9, all students take a series of exams that measure their academic progress in accordance with the New York State content standards. These include the Regents Competency Tests and Regents Examinations.
Regents Competency Tests
All high school students take a series of exams that measure their academic progress in accordance with New York State content standards. Passing these exams is a graduation requirement. Students in grade 9 are given the tests for Math and Science. Sophomores take a Social Studies assessment. In grade 11, the Regents Tests include Reading, Writing and Social Studies.
Regents Examination Tests
In addition to the Competency Tests, the state has developed criterion-referenced, end-of-course examinations that gauge students' mastery of the subject material. There are exams for English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, The Arts, and Languages Other Than English. Obtaining a high score in any of these assessments qualifies students for Regents' Diplomas and other special citations upon graduation. Strong marks may also exempt students from certain Regents Competency Tests.
Multiple-choice items are keyed, while graders trained in the New York's academic standards score the constructed-response questions. Students receive their results in both raw and scale scores. It is up to individual administrations and educators to come up with a plan of action for students who fail to perform well on any Competency subject test. Ask your teacher for more information, including passing scores.
Exams are held in January and June. Visit the New York State Education Department's Assessment website at
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/assess.html for a complete list of Regents Exams, sample tests and schedules.
