Past Papers

ELA Regents Past Papers 2015-2026 | RevisionTown

Download official NY English Language Arts Regents past papers (2015-2026) with scoring keys, rating guides & sample essays. Free ELA exam prep resources.

📝 New York English Language Arts Regents Exam Past Papers (2015-2026)

Access the complete collection of official New York State English Language Arts (ELA) Regents examination past papers, scoring keys, comprehensive rating guides, practice papers, and conversion charts from January 2015 to January 2026. Essential resources for students preparing for the NYS ELA Regents exam.

📋 Exam Format: The ELA Regents consists of three parts completed over 3 hours. Part 1 includes 24 multiple-choice reading comprehension questions (24 credits). Part 2 is an argument essay based on provided texts (24 credits). Part 3 is a text-analysis response essay analyzing how an author develops a central idea (24 credits). Total: 72 credits.

📚 Complete Past Papers Collection

January 2026
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4B Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
August 2025
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4B Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2025
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4B Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
January 2025
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4B Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
August 2024
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4B Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2024
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4B Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
January 2024
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4B Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
August 2023
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4B Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2023
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4B Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
January 2023
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4B Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
August 2022
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4C Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2022
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4C Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2021 (v202)
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4C Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
January 2020
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4C Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
August 2019
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4C Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2019
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📄 Scoring Materials PDF Scoring Key Excel Scoring Key
⭐ Rating Guide (3 Parts) Part 2: 6A-4C Part 2: 3A-Practice Part 3
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
January 2019
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
August 2018
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2018
📝 Examination Papers Regular Size Large Type
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
January 2018
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
August 2017
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2017
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
January 2017
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
August 2016
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2016
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
January 2016
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
August 2015
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2015
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
January 2015
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
August 2014
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart
June 2014
📝 Examination Papers Regents Examination
📊 Conversion Chart PDF Chart Excel Chart

🎯 Key Skills Assessed in ELA Regents

Reading Comprehension

Part 1 - 24 credits

Close reading of literary and informational texts, determining central ideas and themes, analyzing evidence, understanding author's purpose, identifying rhetorical devices, and making inferences from complex texts.

Argument Writing

Part 2 - 24 credits

Developing a well-reasoned argumentative essay using multiple provided texts, establishing clear claims, incorporating relevant evidence with proper citations, addressing counterclaims, and maintaining formal academic style.

Text Analysis

Part 3 - 24 credits

Analyzing how authors develop central ideas through rhetorical choices, literary devices, text structure, word choice, and stylistic elements. Requires sophisticated literary analysis with textual evidence and proper citation.

Evidence & Citation

Critical across all parts

Properly quoting, paraphrasing, and citing textual evidence from passages. Understanding how to integrate evidence smoothly into writing and use citations to support analytical claims effectively.

Academic Writing Conventions

Scored in Parts 2 & 3

Maintaining formal tone, organizing ideas coherently with clear introduction and conclusion, using sophisticated transitions, demonstrating command of standard English grammar and mechanics, and developing ideas thoroughly.

Critical Thinking & Analysis

Emphasized throughout

Making connections between ideas, evaluating arguments for validity and relevance, synthesizing information from multiple sources, and demonstrating sophisticated understanding of complex texts.

📖 How to Use These Past Papers Effectively

  1. Practice under timed conditions: Complete full exams within the 3-hour time limit, allocating approximately 1 hour for Part 1, 1 hour for Part 2, and 1 hour for Part 3.
  2. Study the rating guides carefully: Understand what distinguishes a 6-credit essay from a 4-credit or 2-credit essay. Pay attention to rubric criteria for content, command of evidence, coherence, and language conventions.
  3. Analyze high-scoring practice papers: The rating guides include sample student responses at different score levels. Study 6-credit and 5-credit essays to understand what graders expect.
  4. Master the citation format: Practice proper in-text citation format required for the exam (Author's Last Name page number) and learn to integrate quotes smoothly.
  5. Build reading stamina: The exam includes substantial reading. Practice reading complex literary and informational texts closely and actively annotating as you read.
  6. Develop planning strategies: Use graphic organizers for Part 2 (argument planning) and Part 3 (text analysis outline) to organize your thoughts before writing.
  7. Focus on recent exams first: Start with 2023-2026 papers to understand current expectations, then work backward to 2015 for additional practice.
  8. Review scoring keys for Part 1: Understand why correct answers are right and analyze the reasoning behind each multiple-choice question.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the ELA Regents exam?
Students need a scaled score of 65 or higher (out of 100) to pass the English Language Arts Regents exam. The conversion from raw score (out of 72 credits) to scaled score varies by administration and is detailed in the conversion chart.
How long is the ELA Regents examination?
The ELA Regents exam is 3 hours long. Students have the full three hours to complete all three parts: Part 1 (reading comprehension), Part 2 (argument essay), and Part 3 (text-analysis response).
Can I use a dictionary during the ELA Regents?
No, dictionaries, thesauruses, and other reference materials are not permitted during the ELA Regents examination. Students must rely on their own vocabulary and language skills.
How should I format citations in my essays?
Use parenthetical citations with the author's last name and page number, for example: (Smith 45). If the author's name is mentioned in your sentence, include only the page number: (45). Always cite direct quotes and specific references to the text.
How are the essays scored?
Both Part 2 (argument) and Part 3 (text analysis) essays are scored using a 6-point rubric evaluating four criteria: content and analysis, command of evidence, coherence/organization/style, and control of conventions. Each part is worth 24 credits total (scored by two raters, each giving 0-6 points, multiplied by 2).
Should I write in pen or pencil?
Students must write essays in dark blue or black ink pen. Pencil is only acceptable for Part 1 multiple-choice answers. Essays written in pencil may not be scored.
How many paragraphs should my essays have?
There is no required number of paragraphs. However, effective essays typically have 4-6 paragraphs: an introduction, 2-4 body paragraphs with well-developed analysis, and a conclusion. Focus on thorough development rather than paragraph count.
What if I don't finish the exam?
Attempt to complete all parts. If time is running short, prioritize completing both essays (Parts 2 and 3) as these are worth 48 out of 72 total credits. Even partial responses to essays can earn some credit if they demonstrate understanding.
Can I use first person ("I") in my essays?
While not strictly forbidden, it's best to maintain third-person formal academic voice in both essays. Focus on analysis of the texts rather than personal opinions. Avoid phrases like "I think" or "I believe."

📚 More Regents Resources at RevisionTown

Explore our complete collection of study materials, practice questions, and exam preparation resources for all New York State Regents examinations.

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