If the words “Regents exam” still send a shudder down your spine, you’re not alone. But apparently, that’s a shudder the future generation will never know. (And if you ask us, those of us who survived the math and science Regents deserve to be financially compensated.)
On Monday, September 14, 2026, the New York State Board of Regents voted to officially remove Regents exams as a high school graduation requirement. Starting with the class of 2028, students won’t have to pass the traditional, high-stakes state tests we all still have nightmares about to earn their diploma.
Moving forward, New York will replace its current three-diploma system with a single high school diploma. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has until February 2027 to formally present the regulatory amendments that will bring this massive overhaul to life.
Why is the state getting rid of the Regents exam?
State education leaders argue the change—which is part of the state’s new “Portrait of a Graduate” framework—is about leveling the playing field.
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young Jr. and Education Commissioner Betty Rosa stated that the move will create a fairer system where a student’s zip code and background don’t determine their success.
The public school system is effectively shifting closer to how private schools operate, where students can already bypass the Regents.
According to advocates, these standardized tests have historically increased high school dropout rates, particularly among students of color and those from low-income families.
But the move isn’t without its critics.
Education researchers, including Ray Domanico of the Manhattan Institute, argue that removing a standard benchmark could weaken accountability and leave students underprepared for life after high school.
What will replace the exams?
Instead of mandatory standardized tests, local school districts will be tasked with creating their own testing and grading plans.
Rather than just bubbling in multiple-choice questions, students will have the opportunity to show off critical thinking and problem-solving skills to demonstrate what they’ve learned.
Districts will evaluate proficiency through:
- Classroom assessments and quizzes
- Daily teacher interactions and educator observations
- Performance-based learning and long-term projects
State-level testing isn’t vanishing entirely, though.
The state will still administer federally mandated exams in math, English, and science to monitor school district performance, but these will no longer serve as individual graduation hurdles for students.
The official timeline
For parents and students wondering how this impacts them right now, here’s how the phase-out will work:
- Class of 2027: Current high school seniors are the final class required to pass the Regents exams to earn their diplomas
- February 2027: NYSED will present its proposed regulatory amendments for the new single-diploma system
- June 2027: The Board of Regents will vote on whether to permanently adopt the new single-diploma rules
- 2027/2028 School Year: Local schools must outline and share their new testing and grading plans with the public
- Class of 2028: The Regents exams will officially be removed from the graduation checklist