The New York Regents Comprehension Exam in English

Overview Tests reading, writing, listening, and thinking abilities

Format Four parts, to be completed during two three-hour sessions (two parts each day)

Part 1: Listening and Writing for Information and Understanding (Day 1) Your tasks: –Listen and take notes as exam proctor reads a selection aloud twice –Answer multiple-choice questions about the oral selection –Write an essay (extended response) based upon the oral selection – the topic and purpose of the essay will be provided

Part 2: Reading and Writing for Information and Understanding (Day 1) Your tasks: –Read a selection and examine related visual materials (chart, graph, map, table, etc.) –Answer multiple-choice questions about the selection and the visual materials –Write an essay (extended response) based upon the selection and the visual materials (the topic and purpose will be provided)

Part III: Reading and Writing for Literary Response (Day 2) Your tasks: –Read two literary selections (different genre, related topic) –Answer multiple-choice questions about the selections –Write an essay (extended response) about the two selections (theme is provided; you must decide upon your thesis)

Part IV: Reading and Writing for Critical Analysis (Day 2) Your tasks: –Read and interpret a statement or quotation (critical lens) –Write a critical essay discussing two previously read works of literature

Terms to Learn! Prompt = directions Extended response = essay