English Regents Prep

This is an exam designed to assess New York State students’ ability to perform a broad range of reading, critical thinking, and writing skills. It represents a rigorous level of expectation reflected in the State’s Learning Standards for English Language Arts, and a passing score on this exam is a requirement for a high school diploma.

What Does The Exam Look Like?

The exam is in four parts or “tasks,” and each includes an essay response. The first three parts require you to listen to or read extended passages of informational text or literary passages, answer multiple-choice questions on those passages, and write an essay for a particular purpose and audience. The fourth part is an essay of critical analysis and an evaluation of two works of literature you have read. All written responses require effective use of language and standard written English.

How and When Is The Exam Given?

The English Regents exam is administered over two days of three-hour sessions each, with two tasks per session. It is offered in January, June, and August of each year. Students must be present on both days of the examination, and a student who misses one of the two days must retake the entire exam when it is next administered. Students may take the exam more than once if needed to meet the graduation requirement.

Why Is The Exam Six Hours Long?

Each of the four tasks on the English Regents exam is designed to take most students about one hour to complete. The additional time gives you the opportunity to do your best work. For many students, this means there is time to plan, outline, and even draft an essay response.

THE ENGLISH REGENTS EXAM—AN OVERVIEW

You will listen to a lecture or a speech, answer 6 multiple-choice questions about key ideas in the passage, and write an extended response. The lecture or speech will be read twice. You may take notes at any time during the readings, and you may use your notes in answering the multiple-choice questions. These questions also may help you choose ideas and details for the written response which is based on a situation related to the passage, for a specific purpose and audience.

You should expect to read an informational article accompanied by a chart, diagram, or other graphic presentation, answer 10 multiple-choice questions on basic comprehension of main ideas, vocabulary, and interpretation, and write an informative or persuasive piece expressing a point of view and recommendation based on the information in the reading. This part incorporates many of the skills you use in doing research. Like Part A above, it first requires that you interpret and analyze information. You must then compose a clear argument based on sound interpretations and selection of relevant details.

You will read two literature selections (from fiction, poetry, memoir, or literary non-fiction), answer 10 multiple-choice questions on key ideas, details, vocabulary, and you will write an essay that discusses the ways in which the two passages reveal the subject and that shows how specific literary elements and techniques convey the meaning of the selected passages. The essay must be organized in a unified and coherent manner and must follow the conventions of standard written English.

In this part, you are required to write a critical essay in which you discuss two works of literature you have read from the particular perspective of a statement that is provided as a “critical lens.” Your interpretation of the “lens” and response to it become the controlling idea for your essay. Here you must interpret a sophisticated prompt, develop a critical point of view in response to that prompt, and develop that critical point of view with detailed reference to two works. You must also use specific references to appropriate literary elements to show how the chosen works support your opinion.

How Is The English Regents Scored?

Your final score is based on the total number of correct answers to the multiple- choice questions and the rating of the four essays. All papers are read by at least two English teachers and may be reviewed by a third reader. They will evaluate your essays for meaning, development, organization, language use, and conventions. The scoring rubrics for the essays are outlined later in this chapter and discussed in detail in the chapters on each part of the exam.

Does a Regents examination score of 65 indicate that 65 percent of questions were answered correctly? No. The passing score of 65 is not intended to indicate answering 65 percent of questions correctly. The score for a total of 26 points in the multiple-choice questions and a possible 24 points for the four essays is converted to a final score that signifies a level of achievement of the State Learning Standards. The conversion of these two scores to a final grade is determined during standard setting for each exam. In the “Regents Exams and Answers” section you will find the conversion chart for each of the ten exams included in this book.

How Do I Review For The English Regents Exam?

Barrons Regents has everything you need to prepare for the English Regents online. You can take complete practice tests including both the multiple-choice and essay questions. When you are finished with the Regents practice exam, you'll get immediate feedback, a grade on your multipl-choice questions, including answers with full explanations and sample essays. Instant results will pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses and let you know where you need to practice most. All information is saved in a personal database (including your essays!) for future use and can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection.

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