The New York State Board of Regents – the group responsible for the general supervision of all educational activities within New York – has implemented a standardized testing process for all public high school students to graduate with a Regents diploma. This policy currently requires high school students to receive a passing grade – 65 or better – on each of these five Regents exams:
- English Language Arts
- Languages other than English
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Science
The vast majority of students at member schools of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) do not pursue Regents diplomas and students are not required to take Regents exams as part of their graduation requirements.
These college-preparatory schools often offer their own exit examinations and set particular requirements specific to that school. These standards generally meet or exceed Regents requirements.