how many regents do you need to graduate high school in ny
New York State currently requires most students to pass 5 Regents exams to earn a standard Regents diploma and graduate high school.
Quick Scoop
- You generally need 5 Regents exams passed with a score of 65+ for a Regents diploma.
- Some schools or programs may add extra expectations , but the state minimum is still 5 exams.
- There’s also an Advanced Regents diploma , which needs more Regents (usually at least 8) , mostly extra math, science, and language exams.
What are the 5 required Regents?
For a regular Regents diploma, the usual set is:
- English Language Arts (ELA) – typically taken in 11th grade.
- One Math exam – usually Algebra I (could also be Geometry or Algebra II if that’s your main math).
- One Science exam – such as Living Environment, Earth Science, Chemistry, or Physics.
- Global History and Geography.
- U.S. History and Government.
You need 65 or higher on each Regents exam for a Regents diploma (there are safety‑net options and appeals for some students, especially students with disabilities).
Regular vs. Advanced Regents (Quick view)
| Diploma type | How many Regents? | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Regents Diploma | 5 exams minimum | [3][5][7]ELA, 1 math, 1 science, Global History, U.S. History, all with 65+ (with some appeal/safety-net options). | [3][1][7]
| Advanced Regents | At least 8 exams | [5]More math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II), more science, plus a World Language exam in many cases. | [9][5]
A quick “student story” example
Imagine a 10th grader in NYC planning ahead:
- They pass Algebra I , Living Environment , and Global History by the end of 10th grade.
- In 11th grade, they pass ELA and U.S. History , which gives them the 5 Regents needed to graduate (plus all their class credits).
- If they also pass Geometry , Algebra II , and a Language Other Than English Regents, they can graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma instead.
Important notes for 8th–11th graders now
- Credits still matter : You also need enough course credits (often 22+), not just Regents scores.
- Changes are coming : New York has approved a “portrait of a graduate” model and plans to stop requiring Regents exams as a graduation condition starting with the 2027–28 school year , but current high schoolers still follow the 5‑exam rule.
Bottom line: If you’re in high school in NY right now, plan on passing at least 5 Regents exams (plus earning all required course credits) to graduate, and more if you’re aiming for an Advanced Regents diploma.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
