Regents exams are statewide assessments used in New York high schools. For a student arriving from another school system, they can be an important part of diploma planning, but they are not a universal college-entrance examination.
Subjects and the traditional pathway
Subjects include English Language Arts; Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II; history and government; and science. Science exam names and rollout schedules change as standards are updated, so ask the school which assessment applies to your course and cohort.
Under the traditional 4+1 diploma assessment pathway, students generally satisfy English, mathematics, science, and social-studies assessment requirements plus an approved additional pathway. A score of 65 is a common passing threshold, but appeals, safety-net provisions, exemptions, and alternative assessments can matter. Credits and other diploma requirements are separate from simply passing five exams.
College admissions
There is no universal ranking in which SAT scores always matter first, Regents second, and GPA last. Colleges set their own policies, including test-optional policies, and commonly consider the high-school transcript, course rigor, and other application material. Check the institutions you plan to apply to.
The planned change
NYSED’s NY Inspires vision describes ending the requirement to pass Regents exams for a diploma beginning in the 2027–28 school year, while assessments can still serve other purposes. Its transformation timeline explains the staged implementation.
As of the September 2026 update, NYSED was advancing proposed regulations for implementation. Do not assume a future change already removes a current student’s requirements. Ask your counselor to review your entry year, credits, assessments, and any applicable alternatives, especially after transferring into the state.
Adapted from the original Chinese article, published on May 31, 2025.
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