Algebra Regents 2026 — Scoring Chart, Curve, and Passing Score Guide
Algebra Regents 2026 scoring guide: how the Algebra I Regents is scored, conversion charts, passing score of 65, how the curve works, and what to do if you don't pass.
How the Algebra Regents Is Scored
The Algebra I Regents Exam is scored in two stages: raw scoring by individual graders and conversion to a scaled score using the official NYS conversion chart.
Exam structure and raw points:
- Part I: 24 multiple-choice questions worth 2 points each = 48 points possible
- Part II: 8 short-response questions worth 2 points each = 16 points possible
- Part III: 4 questions worth 4 points each = 16 points possible
- Part IV: 1 extended-response question worth 6 points = 6 points possible
- Total raw score maximum: 86 points
Multiple-choice answers are machine-scored. Free-response questions (Parts II–IV) are scored by trained teachers using official NYS scoring rubrics. Each rubric describes exactly what earns 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 points for a given question. Partial credit is available — a response that shows correct work but arrives at a wrong answer typically earns 1–2 points.
How the Regents Curve Works
New York State applies a conversion chart (sometimes called the curve) to transform raw scores into scaled scores on a 0–100 point scale. The conversion chart is unique to each exam administration — it is set after the exam is administered based on that session's statistical difficulty analysis.
Key patterns in typical Algebra Regents conversion charts:
- A raw score of 0–12 typically converts to a scaled score in the 0–40 range
- A raw score of 30–35 often converts to approximately 65 (the passing threshold)
- A raw score of 55–60 typically converts to approximately 80
- A perfect raw score of 86 converts to a scaled score of 100
The curve is most generous in the 55–75 scaled score range — small gains in raw points produce larger scaled score jumps in this zone. This means that students near the passing threshold benefit disproportionately from improving their free-response work.
Algebra Regents Scoring at a Glance
- Part I — Multiple Choice: 24 questions × 2 pts = 48 points
- Part II — Short Response: 8 questions × 2 pts = 16 points
- Part III — Extended Response: 4 questions × 4 pts = 16 points
- Part IV — Extended Response: 1 question × 6 pts = 6 points
- Minimum passing scaled score: 65 out of 100
- Typical raw score to pass: Approximately 30–35 raw points (varies by curve)
- Graduation requirement: 65+ required for Regents diploma; 55+ for Local diploma
- Mastery level: 85+ scaled score indicates high mastery
- January session: Administered in January — limited to credit-recovery students
- June session: Primary administration — all students
- August session: Administered in August — available for retakes
- Exam duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
- Retake limit: No limit — students may retake until they pass
- Best score policy: Highest passing score is used for graduation — failed scores not reported
- Retake sessions: January, June, and August administrations
- Score report: Scores reported to school within 2–3 weeks of exam date
Algebra Regents Scoring: Free-Response Strategy
The free-response sections (Parts II–IV) offer the best opportunity to maximize your Algebra Regents score — and the most common scoring mistakes are avoidable:
- Always show your work. Even if you get the final answer wrong, correct work earns partial credit. A Part IV response with full correct work but a minor arithmetic error at the end typically earns 5 of 6 points.
- Define your variables. Rubrics often award 1 point specifically for defining what x and y represent before solving a word problem. Write this down every time.
- Write complete sentences for explanations. Questions asking you to 'explain' or 'justify' require written sentences — not just equations. Bullet-point math alone typically earns 0 on explanation points.
- Check your answer for reasonableness. Many Part III and IV questions ask you to check or interpret your answer in context. If your graph shows a negative time or your equation gives a temperature of 5,000 degrees, flag it and explain.
- Attempt every question. Partial credit on Parts II–IV means that leaving a question blank always scores 0, while attempting it — even with errors — often earns 1–2 points that could be decisive near the passing threshold.
Passing Score and Graduation Requirements
The Algebra Regents has different score thresholds depending on the type of diploma a New York student is pursuing:
- Regents Diploma: Requires a scaled score of 65 or higher on Algebra I Regents (and other Regents exams)
- Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation: Requires an 85 or higher on Algebra II Regents in addition to passing Algebra I
- Local Diploma (for students with IEPs): Requires a scaled score of 55 or higher for certain students with disabilities who qualify for the local diploma pathway
- Compensatory score option: Students who score 52–64 may be eligible for a compensatory score pathway through their school counselor if they meet additional requirements
What to Do If You Don't Pass the Algebra Regents
Students who do not pass the Algebra Regents on the first attempt should:
- Request a score breakdown: Your school counselor can provide a sub-area breakdown showing which topics (functions, linear algebra, quadratics, etc.) had the lowest raw scores
- Identify the specific failing areas: Most students who score in the 50–64 range have one or two major content gaps rather than uniform weakness across all topics
- Enroll in summer or credit-recovery math: Many schools offer Algebra I credit recovery in the summer — this provides structured instruction alongside retake preparation
- Target the August retake: The August administration is specifically designed for retakers and often has the smallest curve differences from June
New York does not penalize students for multiple retake attempts. All Regents attempts appear in the student's record, but only the highest passing score counts toward graduation requirements.