NY State Regents exam

Question

How do out of state colleges view a failure of a NY state Regents examination? A Regents diploma can be granted with 4 successfully passed exams. Out of state colleges usually don't follow the NY regents metrics. And NY is considering modifying the exam strategy but this is for cultural and language barriers, not to eliminate the core subjects. But a failed Geometry Regents examination if left to stand I fear would seriously weaken admission.

Answer 1

Hey Donald,

As a former principal in NYC I have experience with this. Generally speaking, out-of-state colleges typically don’t place much weight on NY Regents scores because they don’t follow the same metrics. However, a failed exam, like Geometry, can still raise concerns during the admissions process, especially if it remains unaddressed.

To strengthen your application:

1. Retake the exam if possible to show effort and mastery.
2. Maintain a strong GPA and take rigorous coursework (honors or AP classes).
3. Highlight your extracurriculars, leadership, and other achievements.
4. Explain the context of the failure in your application if necessary.

A single failed exam won’t ruin your chances, but taking proactive steps can make a big difference. Keep focusing on your goals—you’ve got this!