The New York State math Regents pathway runs through three sequential exams: Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2, each tied directly to high school graduation requirements.
With the June 2026 exams approaching, this guide covers what families need to know right now and for the years ahead.
Our education specialists at Mathnasium walk through what each exam requires, what New York State's new Next Generation Learning Standards mean in practice, and why preparation for the full Regents pathway should begin well before high school.
New York State Regents Examinations are achievement tests aligned to New York State learning standards, prepared by teacher examination committees and Department specialists, and passing the required math Regents exams satisfies the state assessment requirements for a high school diploma.
The three math Regents exams run in sequence: Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Students may sit each exam in January, June, or August each year.
The June 2026 math Regents exams are scheduled as follows:
|
Exam |
Date |
Time |
|
Algebra 2 |
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 |
9:15 a.m. |
|
Algebra 1 |
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 |
9:15 a.m. |
|
Geometry |
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 |
1:15 p.m. |
Uniform admission deadlines are 10:00 a.m. for morning exams and 2:00 p.m. for afternoon exams. Students should confirm their exact reporting time with their school directly.
Each exam includes both multiple-choice and open-ended questions requiring written justification.
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New York State replaced all three math Regents exams with new versions aligned to the Next Generation Learning Standards, completing that rollout across Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 between June 2024 and June 2026.
The transition timeline confirms the following per the NYSED implementation memo:
Algebra 1: new exam first administered June 2024
Geometry: new exam first administered June 2025
Algebra 2: new exam first administered June 2026
Students sitting the June 2026 Algebra 2 exam are the first cohort to take the new version of that exam. Preparation materials should reflect the new standard, as past exam materials from before each transition year may not fully represent the current exam format.
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Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 connect through the reasoning and fluency each exam requires, which builds directly on what the previous exam established.
Algebra 1 is the first math Regents exam and introduces students to abstract algebraic thinking and function-based reasoning.
The new Algebra 1 exam, in place since June 2024, moves students in two connected directions:
From arithmetic operations toward working with equations, functions, and relationships between quantities
From procedural calculation toward applying algebraic reasoning to multi-step problems and justifying thinking in writing
The reasoning skills Algebra 1 establishes feed directly into the formal proof structure Geometry requires.
Geometry is the second math Regents exam and requires formal logical reasoning and spatial thinking built directly on the algebraic foundation that Algebra 1 establishes.
The course shifts mathematical thinking in three specific ways:
Formal proofs replace equation solving as the primary mode of mathematical argument
Coordinate geometry connects algebraic relationships to spatial reasoning
Spatial thinking becomes a core skill rather than a supplementary one
Students who moved through Algebra 1 primarily through memorized procedures rather than grasping the underlying logic tend to find Geometry's demand for structured logical argument more challenging than expected.
The new Geometry Regents was first administered in June 2025.
Algebra 2 is the third and most advanced math Regents exam, and it serves as the gateway to pre-calculus, AP® Calculus, and advanced STEM coursework in high school.
The course brings together and extends the algebraic and geometric thinking of the first two exams into more advanced mathematical territory.
For families in Great Neck, the Great Neck Public Schools course sequence confirms that students who complete the Regents sequence continue into:
Pre-Calculus
AP® Calculus AB
AP® Calculus BC
Advanced mathematics research
Computer science programs
The new Algebra 2 Regents, first administered in June 2026, completes the full Next Generation standards rollout. Students who arrive at Algebra 2 with unresolved gaps from Algebra 1 or Geometry carry those gaps into the most demanding exam in the sequence.
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Clear expectations make it easier for families to plan ahead, strengthen foundations, and avoid last-minute Regents pressure.
Grades 6, 7, and 8 build the fluency with fractions, ratios, and pre-algebra that every Regents exam in the sequence draws on.
The NYS Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards confirm the direct grade-by-grade progression that leads into Algebra 1:
Grade 6 introduces ratios, proportional relationships, and early algebraic expressions and equations
Grade 7 extends to proportional relationships, operations with rational numbers, and linear equations
Grade 8 develops linear functions, slope, systems of linear equations, and the foundations of algebraic reasoning
Algebra 1 builds directly on all three, with the course overview in the standards document explicitly noting that by the end of eighth grade, students are expected to have learned to solve linear equations and apply algebraic methods to systems of equations
Our education specialists at Mathnasium consistently observe that students who arrive at Algebra 1 with those skills already automatic engage more confidently with the reasoning the new Next Generation standards require from the first exam onward.
The move toward conceptual understanding and multi-step reasoning across all three new Next Generation exams makes that middle school foundation more consequential than it was under the previous standards.
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Families navigating the Regents math pathway ask consistent questions about scores and preparation, and the following answers address the most common ones.
Students generally need a score of 65 or higher on required Regents exams to meet New York State graduation requirements for a Regents diploma. An appeal process exists for general education students who score between 60 and 64.
Families should confirm specific requirements with their school's guidance counselor since diploma type and individual circumstances affect which thresholds apply.
JMAP is a free resource hub offering over 10,000 archived Regents questions organized by exam, topic, and standard, covering Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. It has served New York State students and teachers for over 20 years.
New York State requires students to earn 3 credits in mathematics to meet diploma requirements. Those three credits typically correspond to the Regents sequence of Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 in high school.
The NYS Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards define eight Standards for Mathematical Practice that run through every course from elementary school through Algebra 2.
Students are expected to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments, model with mathematics, use appropriate tools, attend to precision, look for structure, and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
In practice, this means students are assessed on their ability to justify their thinking and apply reasoning to unfamiliar problems, rather than only reproducing memorized procedures.
Great Neck Public Schools confirms that high school students complete a Regents sequence that includes Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2.
Middle school focuses on mathematical operations, computation, pre-algebra, and algebra skills, with students demonstrating proficiency on the New York State Mathematics Assessment at the end of grades 6, 7, and 8.
Accelerated students may take Regents-level Algebra 1 as early as eighth grade, earning up to one high school credit.
Students who follow the standard high school pathway typically take Algebra 1 in ninth grade, Geometry in tenth, and Algebra 2 in eleventh. Families should confirm specific placement timelines with their child's school.
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At Mathnasium of Great Neck, students build the skills and confidence they need for every stage of the New York State Math Regents pathway.
Mathnasium is a math-only learning center dedicated to helping K-12 students of all skill levels excel in math.
Students come to us along the Regents pathway at different points. Some are middle schoolers in grades 6-8, building the pre-algebra and algebraic foundation that the sequence depends on. Others are working through one of the three Regents courses and may be preparing for an upcoming June exam sitting.
We support students through each stage using the Mathnasium Method™, our proprietary teaching approach built around personalized instruction and long-term understanding. Here is how it works:
Each student starts with a diagnostic assessment that identifies current skills, strengths, and gaps. From those findings, we build a personalized learning plan customized to their goals, whether that means strengthening middle school foundations, building confidence through a Regents course, or preparing for a specific upcoming exam sitting.
With the plan in place, our tutors follow it closely, delivering face-to-face instruction in a supportive environment. We teach for understanding using clear everyday language and a mix of verbal, visual, mental, tactile, and written techniques so each concept lands before we move forward.
When students get stuck, we break the concept into manageable steps and work through both the how and the why. Games, earned rewards, and consistent celebration of progress keep learning purposeful and help students build confidence session by session.
The results speak for themselves:
94% of parents report improvement in their child's math skills and understanding
93% of parents report an improved attitude toward math after attending Mathnasium
90% of students saw improvement in their school grades
With over 1,100 learning centers across North America, there is likely a Mathnasium close to you.
Families across Great Neck and nearby areas trust Mathnasium of Great Neck to help their children become confident mathematical thinkers.
Whether your child is preparing for an upcoming Regents exam or building the algebra foundation that makes the exams manageable years from now, our team is ready to help.
📅 Schedule a Free Assessment at Mathnasium of Great Neck
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Mathnasium of Great Neck is a math-only learning center for K-12 students in Great Neck, NY. Trusted by over a million parents, Mathnasium uses personalized learning plans and the proprietary Mathnasium Method™ to help students catch up, keep up, and get ahead on their math journey.
Our specially trained tutors deliver face-to-face instruction in a supportive and fun small-group environment, working with students both in center and online to develop a deep understanding of math, build confidence, and improve academic performance.
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