The Regents tests, also known as the Regents High School exams, are required tests for high school students in the state of New York. With a history that stretches back to 1864, these tests are administered in many different subject areas at different grades, and they are intended to ensure that student scholars are progressing through their studies. Based on Regents test scores, it is possible
. to earn different types of diplomas, including the regular, advanced and with honors. Many educational and testing experts recommend that students use practice exams as part of their test preparation in order to ensure familiarity with the material that is being tested as well as the format of the test. By doing so, some educators and testing professionals claim that it is possible for test takers to maximize their scores. There are a number of online sources where those who are set to take the Regents exams can find practice tests. The Education Department of the State of New York makes practice tests available on its website at http://www.nysedregents.org. These practice tests are composed entirely of previous Regents exams in each subject area from previous tests given in previous years. The page linked to divides the tests into two major sections, elementary/intermediate grade tests and high school tests. By clicking on the desired grade level and subject matter, visitors to this site are able to view a bullet point list of each year that the test was previously given. By clicking on the bullet point visitors to this site have access to pdf file format documents of the actual tests, the teacher's dictation copy and any scoring keys or essay rubrics as necessary for each exam. Some scoring keys for some of the Regents exams are also given in excel format in addition to pdf. http://www.nysedregents.org/ or http://regentsprep.org/
