The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has announced that the English Regents exam will change beginning in June 2026. Teachers are buzzing about it online, parents are wondering how to prepare, and students are caught in the middle.
But here’s the reality: the exam isn’t really going to change much at all. (See the NYSED website pamphlet here.)
The “Next Generation” Regents Exams: A Bureaucratic Reset Button
The state refers to the upcoming test as part of the “Next Generation” Regents series. This is a rebranding of standards that replaced the old Common Core. In reality, the shift is more of a bureaucratic reset button than a revolution. While the state highlights new rubrics and phrasing aligned with the “Next Generation Learning Standards,” the actual skills measured have barely changed. (See New York State Testing Program and look for “”Next Generation Regents Exam in English Language Arts.”)
What the Education Officials Promise vs. Reality
As of October 2025, no one has received concrete details about what the new English Regents will look like. Official word is expected in January, but even that may not clear up much. Why? Because there’s simply no way to “reinvent” the exam without keeping its core intact.
The state faces an impossible paradox:
They want a test that measures “pure reasoning” skills, independent of background or quality of education.
But:
Test results never escape the reality that students at stronger schools perform better than students without the same high quality of educational support.
No exam can separate a student’s performance from family influence, school quality, or intergenerational educational values. And yet, the creators of standardized tests are always on the quest to square that circle, or at least make it look as though they have.
Why the English Regents Can’t Really Change
At its heart, the English Regents will always test how well students:
- Read critically,
- Analyze complex texts, and
- Clearly express ideas in well-organized writing.
That’s the DNA of the English Regents exam. You can change rubrics, adjust grading policies, and soften expectations in response to perceived inequities, but you can’t replace those core skills.
This is why the exam, despite the headlines, will look more familiar than different come June 2026.
What Students Should Focus on Now
If you’re a student (or a parent guiding one), the best way to prepare for the “new” Regents exam is exactly the same as the “old” one:
- Hone writing skills! Clear, well-organized essays are always rewarded. There is no escaping that truth.
- Practice critical reading! Learn to identify themes, tone, and author’s purpose. Reading “between the lines” never goes out of style.
- Strengthen reasoning skills! The ability to defend an interpretation or connect ideas logically is vital — not only on the Regents, but also as an essential life skill!
In other words: keep doing what works. Don’t wait for January to find out what the education officials say. It won’t change the fundamentals of the English Regents.
The state’s goal is not to make the test harder — in fact, quite the opposite. The education officials aim for as many students as possible to pass. Any “new” elements will likely be stylistic, not substantive. At most, the test may surprise those who rely too heavily on rigid formulas or prepackaged essay templates found online or in bookstores.
The English Regents test won’t get harder for average students. If anything, the language or format might shift slightly to appear “new,” in order to justify the exam’s raison d’être.
There may be a subtle twist or fresh question style that can catch over-prepared or formulaic test-takers off guard, but this would be a marginal, not a foundational change to the English Regents.
So don’t waste time worrying about what might change, focus instead on the timeless skills that always matter.
How I Help Students Prepare
As someone who has spent years mastering standardized tests and guiding students through them, I know how to cut through the noise. My tutoring approach focuses on the timeless skills of reading, reasoning, and writing — gaining wisdom and insight in the process — the very skills the Regents will continue to test, regardless of how the state repackages the exam.
The Regents may change in form, but not in substance, and neither should your preparation change. If your student needs steady, confidence-building preparation for the English Regents exam in 2026, now is the perfect time to get started!
Don’t wait for the state to unveil another “new” test. The fundamentals of reading, reasoning, and writing never change — and studets who master them are never caught off guard. If your student could benefit from steady, focused preparation that builds real skill and confidence, now is the time to start. Contact me at DeniseBander@ScarsdaleEducationCenter.com or call at (914) 365-8878.
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