The Class of 2029 (8th Grade) begins their journey with the New York State Regents Examinations soon! Some may be wondering, what even are Regents Exams? Does my score matter? What is the exam format? You most certainly are not alone if you are confused or nervous. Here is a guide to help you prepare and understand what’s coming.
What Are The Regents?
Regents Examinations are statewide standardized tests administered in New York. Regents Exams are designed to measure how well students understand subjects. The common Regents for 8th graders to take are Algebra I and Living Environment. Students need to pass a certain amount of Regents to graduate high school. The scores are noted on your high school transcript.
Can my Regents score negatively affect my final grade average?
The answer is no. Recently, The Wheatley School has announced the shift they have made for the 2025 Regents exam scores. The Wheatley School has now adopted the “Do No Harm” policy. This means that Regents scores will not be considered in a student’s final course grade, unless the score helps raise a student’s average. This new policy aims to ease academic pressure and ensure a student’s final grade will not be negatively affected by just one score.
Why Do They Matter?
Regents scores matter because if you receive a 65 or higher (passing score), you get high school credit. Also, a high score will look fantastic on your transcript! Your Regents score will appear on your permanent academic record, so it is worthwhile to give it your all.
How to Prepare
- Practice with previous exams: If you go to www.nysedregents.org, you can find previous Regents exams. They are free and very useful – you can see where you are at and what you need help with. Practicing Regents can also help you have a better understanding of how the test is structured.
- Review a little every day: Try reviewing one topic per day by reviewing your notes from throughout the year, watching YouTube videos, or taking an old Regents exam. Studies show that cramming the night before doesn’t work. Instead, spread out your studying over several days or weeks.
- Ask teachers for help: Teachers at The Wheatley School are very kind and want you to succeed. Many teachers offer extra help after school, Zoom meetings, or even one-on-one meetings. Don’t be afraid to ask; they want to help!
- Take care of yourself: Make sure you maintain a healthy routine around examination time. Meaning, get an ideal amount of sleep, eat healthy, and stay active. These simple steps will help your brain function better and can definitely improve your grade!
What’s The Test Like?
Algebra I (33 Questions and a total time of 3 hours)
- Part I: 24 multiple-choice questions, 2 points each (no partial credit).
- Part II: 8 open-ended questions, 2 points each (partial credit possible).
- Part III: 4 open-ended questions, 4 points each (partial credit possible).
- Part IV: 1 open-ended question, 6 points (partial credit possible).
Living Environment (85 questions and a total time of 3 hours)
- Part A: Approximately 30 multiple-choice questions covering fundamental biology concepts
- Part B-1 & B-2: Multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and often requires students to draw line graphs based on provided data
- Part C: Short-answer questions that assess the ability to apply learned biological principles to real-world situations
- Part D: Focuses on the four required New York State biology labs, including multiple-choice and short-answer questions
Good luck Class of 2029!