What is this test and why do I have to take it?
The Regents Test is a timed test of reading and writing skills. It is required by the Board of Regents for all students seeking an undergraduate degree from a University System of Georgia institution.

The test consists of two sections. In one, you will be asked to read selected passages and answer multiple choice questions about the passages focusing on vocabulary, reading comprehension and analysis. In the other, you will be given four essay topics to choose from, and you will be asked to write an essay on one of the topics.

How important is the Regents Exam?
You cannot receive a degree from the University System of Georgia unless you satisfy the requirements of the exam.

What happens if I don’t take and pass the exam?
If you fail the exam twice, or if you accumulate 45 college-level credit hours without passing the exam, the next semester that you are enrolled, you will be required to register for Regents Reading Skills (RGTR 0198) and/or Regents Writing Skills (RGTE 0199).  These courses carry only institutional credit and do not count towards graduation.  A student enrolled in a Regents' Skills course must pass the corresponding Regents Test in order to receive a passing grade for the course.

Could I have already satisfied the Regents requirements without taking this test?
Some scores from nationally administered tests may be used to satisfy the Regents requirements. They are listed below.
The READING requirement of the Regents Exam can be satisfied with:

• SAT Verbal score of 510 or higher
• ACT Reading score of 23 or higher

The ESSAY requirement of the Regents' Exam can be satisfied with:

• SAT-I Verbal score of at least 530 AND a grade of "A" in English 1101
• SAT-I Verbal score of at least 590 AND a grade of "B" in English 1101
• SAT II English Writing score of 650 or higher
• SAT Reasoning Test, Writing Section score of 560 or higher
• ACT English score of at least 23 AND a grade of "A" in English 1101
• ACT English score of at least 26 AND a grade of "B" in English 1101
• AP English Language and Composition exemption score of 3 or higher
• AP English Literature and Composition exemption score of 3 or higher
• International Baccalaureate higher-level English score of 4 or higher

NOTE: Scores must be from a national administration of the SAT or ACT. Scores from institutional SAT or residual ACT tests will NOT be acceptable for this purpose.

I think I took a similar test in high school or in another state. Does this count?
No. You must complete this specific test.

How long is the exam?
The exam lasts two hours: 60 minutes for each section.
Non-native speakers of English are often eligible for extended time (90 minutes) on the essay section. To find out if you qualify for extra time, and to request extra time, contact Dr. Mary Greiss-Shipley.

What should I bring with me to the exam?
You should bring the following:

• Your GGC Student ID and/or a US driver’s license with photo
• Two Number 2 pencils for the scantron answer sheet
• Two black pens for the essay  

NOTE: Your essay must be written in black ink.  It will NOT be rated if it is written in pencil or other ink colors. White-Out is not allowed, but you may use erasable ink.

• An electronic or hard/soft copy dictionary

You will be allowed to use your dictionary during the final 15 minutes of the essay exam. You will NOT be allowed to use it during the reading exam. You cannot share your dictionary with another student.

How is the exam graded?
Tests are graded off campus. The reading portion of the exam is multiple choice and scan sheets are used. Currently, a scaled score of 61 is a passing score. The essay portion is graded by three independent readers. Each reader will independently rate your essay on a scale of 1 to 3. The essay must receive a score of 2 or higher from at least two of the readers in order to pass. Learn more about the scoring procedures.

What types of topics appear on the essay exam?
The essay topics typically ask you to discuss your life experiences and/or your opinions. Some questions may require general knowledge of society, politics, history, literature or other subjects. You will always have four topics to choose from, so consider your options and choose the topic you know most about. You also can prepare for the essay exam by reading The Complete List of Approved Regents Essay Topics.

What are the standards used to rate the essays?
The Testing Subcommittee of the University System Academic Committee on English provides essay raters with the following basic, but not exhaustive, guidelines:

1: The “1” essay fails to demonstrate competence. It has any one of the following problems to an extraordinary degree or it has several to a limited degree:

• It lacks a central idea.
• It lacks a clear organizational plan.
• It does not develop its points or develops them in a repetitious, incoherent, or illogical way.
• It does not relate directly to the assigned topic.
• It contains several serious grammatical errors.
• It contains numerous mechanical errors.
• Ordinary, everyday words are used inaccurately and unidiomatically.
• It contains a limited vocabulary so that the words chosen frequently do not serve the writer’s purpose.
• Syntax is frequently rudimentary or tangled.
• The essay is so brief that the rater cannot make an accurate judgment of the writer’s ability.

2: The “2” essay meets the following basic criteria:

• It has a central idea related directly to the assigned topic and presented with sufficient clarity that the reader is aware of the writer’s purpose.
• The organization is clear enough for the reader to perceive the writer’s plan.
• The paragraphs coherently present some evidence or details to substantiate the points.
• The writer uses ordinary, everyday words accurately and idiomatically and generally avoids both the monotony created by series of choppy, simple sentences and the incoherence caused by long, tangled sentences.
• Although the essay may contain a few serious grammatical errors and several mechanical errors, they are not of sufficient severity or frequency to obscure the sense of what the writer is saying.

3: The “3” essay shows distinction.  It meets all and exceeds most of the criteria for a “2.”  The ideas are expressed freshly and vividly, and the essay arouses the reader’s interest to a greater extent that the typical “2” essay. In general, when you write your essay, you should take care to do the following:

• Specifically address the topic selected
• State and develop a central idea
• Provide details, examples, and logical support for your claims
• Have an organizational structure indicative of an overall plan
• Avoid serious errors in grammar, word choice, and paragraph development

Proofread carefully to correct major errors such as multiple spelling errors, comma splices, run-ons, fragments and subject-verb agreement errors.

What are the grading procedures?
All essays from throughout the state are sent to a central office where they are mixed thoroughly and redistributed into packets sent to grading centers throughout the state. At the grading centers, the essays are read "blind" by three separate composition instructors from the University System who read and rate each essay holistically. The readers do not know who wrote the essays, what schools the essay writers attend or what ratings others instructors might have given the essays. In addition, the readers make no marks on the actual essays themselves. Because the essays are not marked and the ratings are concealed, each reader evaluates each essay without any outside influence.

For each essay, readers record a mark of "1 - Failing," "2 - Pass," or "3 - High/Superior Pass" on a data processing sheet. Then, a computer tabulates the results. Two out of three readers must assign an essay a grade of 2 or higher for an essay to receive a passing grade.

How can I prepare for the exam?
Follow the links below to access materials that can help you prepare for the Regents' Exam.

Essay
Essay Instructions and a Sample Essay Booklet
Essay Rating Instructions and Sample Rated Essays
The Complete List of Approved Essay Topics
Analyzing/Interpreting the Essay Topics
Developing a Thesis Statement
Organizing Your Essay
Writing the Introduction, Part I
Writing the Introduction, Part II
Developing Body Paragraphs
Writing the Conclusion

 

Reading
Regents Reading Test Description and Overview
Short Practice Reading Test
Practice Reading Test with Instructional Feedback & Item Analysis for Same Test

Can I see my test after grading is complete?
You can make an appointment to review your essay with members of the English faculty or tutors in the Academic Enhancement Center. To request an appointment, e-mail Dr. Mary Greiss-Shipley or Dr. Jennifer Wunder.  Place the words "Regents Essay Exam" in your subject line, and include your name, your student number and the date on which you took the exam in your e-mail.

How will I know if I passed the exam?
Written notification will be entered into your Banner account.

 

For more information, visit the USG Regents website.