Graduation Requirements

In New York State, students can earn three types of diplomas:

  1. A Regents diploma
  2. An advanced Regents diploma
  3. A local diploma

All of these diplomas are valid high school diplomas. All students can earn a Regents or advanced Regents diploma. An advanced Regents diploma lets students show additional skills in math, science, and languages other than English. Only some students who meet specific criteria can graduate with a local diploma, with lower exam scores.

You can use the current graduation requirements card to read about graduation options for all students who started ninth grade since 2019.

 Graduation Checklist 

 All Transalations of Gradation Checklist 

  • graduation checklist

Regents Diploma

Examination Requirements

Students must achieve a score of 65 or higher on these five exams to earn a Regents diploma.

  • English Language Arts (ELA)
  • Any math exam (Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II/Trigonometry)
  • Any social studies exam (Global History and Geography or U.S. History and Government)
  • Any science exam (Living Environment, Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics)
  • Any additional Regents exam, or another option approved by the State

Advanced Regents Diploma

Examination Requirements

Students must score 65 or higher on the following nine exams to earn an advanced Regents diploma.

  • English Language Arts (ELA)
  • Three math exams (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry)
  • One social studies exam (Global History and Geography or U.S. History and Government)
  • Two science exams (Living Environment and one of these: Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics)
  • Any additional Regents exam, or another option approved by the State
  • Any NYC World Languages exam (also known as Languages Other Than English (LOTE) exam)

Credit Requirements

Regents Diploma

Standard Requirements

Students need 44 credits in these subject areas to earn a Regents diploma.

Advanced Regents Diploma

Additional Requirements

Students need 44 credits in these subject areas to earn an Advanced Regents diploma. This is the same total number of credits as a Regents diploma, but with more courses in a language other than English (LOTE) and fewer elective courses.

English (8 Credits)

Foreign Language 

(4 additional credits)

 

&

 

Electives

(only 3 credits)

Global History (4 Credits)

U.S. History (2 Credits)

Government (1 Credit)

Economics (1 Credit)

Life Sciences (2 Credits)

Physical Sciences (2 Credits)

Additional Life/Physical Sciences (2 Credits)

Mathematics (6 Credits)

Art (2 Credits)

Foreign Language (2 Credits)

Physical Education (4 Credits)

Health (1 Credit)

Electives (7 Credits)

Additional Options for Students with Disabilities

All students can earn a Regents or advanced Regents diploma. Some students also have the option to earn a third type of diploma called the local diploma. This option allows certain students to graduate with lower exam scores. Some students with severe disabilities can earn the Skills and Achievement credential instead of a diploma. This credential recognizes students’ achievements in academics, career development, and other foundational skills. It is not proof of graduation.

Regents

Regents exams measure student achievement in high school-level courses. In order to graduate from high school, students must pass five Regents exams in the following subject areas: English Language Arts, a math, a science, social studies, and any additional Regents exam or another option approved by the State. Student may also earn an Advanced Regents diploma if they pass certain additional Regents exams in math and science, as well as any NYC Language Other Than English exam.

NY State offers Regents exams in the following subject areas:

  • English Language Arts
  • Math
    • Algebra I
    • Algebra II/Trigonometry
    • Geometry
  • Science
    • Chemistry
    • Earth Science
    • Living Environment
    • Physics
  • Social Studies
    • Global History and Geography
    • U.S. History

Who takes this test? 
Students have the opportunity to take Regents Exams in grades 9-12 and, when appropriate, in grade eight. Students may also take Regents exams after leaving high school to earn a diploma.

When is this test given?
The Regents exams are given three times a year: in January, June, and August. For a list of upcoming dates, visit NY State Education Department's Regents page. Not all subject exams are offered during each test date.

What is on the test?
The content will vary by exam subject. All exams have multiple choice and open-ended questions.

How is the test scored?
The Regents exams are scored by licensed and trained New York City teachers. No student’s exam is scored by a teacher from the student’s school. This scoring follows NY State Education Department and DOE policies on scoring of State exams.

How are the results reported?
You can see Regents exam results on the student's high school transcript and in their NYC Schools Account Schools have the option to display all of the student’s Regents exam scores or just the highest score earned in each exam subject.

How are the results used?
Results are used for student high school graduation requirements, school quality reports, and teacher development and evaluation.