NY Regents Diploma Requirements Explained
To graduate from a New York public high school you need more than just passing grades — you need to meet the state's diploma requirements, which include passing a set of Regents exams. Here's a clear breakdown of what's required, so you know exactly which exams stand between you and your diploma.
The standard Regents diploma
A standard Regents diploma generally requires earning your course credits and passing a set of Regents exams with a score of 65 or higher in each of these areas: English Language Arts, one mathematics exam, one science exam, one social studies exam, and one additional exam (often a second math, science, or an approved pathway assessment). That's the core five-exam framework most students follow.
The Advanced Regents diploma
An Advanced Regents diploma requires passing additional exams — typically three math Regents (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II), two science Regents, and a world-language assessment, on top of the ELA and social studies requirements. It's more demanding but signals stronger college readiness. Both diplomas require a 65 to pass each exam; the difference is how many exams you take.
Pathways and alternatives
New York also offers 'pathway' options that let some students substitute an approved exam (for example, in career and technical education or the arts) for one of the standard Regents. And importantly, the state has been actively reviewing and revising graduation requirements in recent years. So treat this as the established framework, not the final word.
Confirm your plan
Requirements can vary by your graduating year and any updates from the state. Always confirm your exact requirements with your school counselor — they know which exams you specifically need and when to take them. Don't guess about something this important.
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