NY Regents Earth Science study guide
NY Regents Earth Science · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Regents Examination in Earth Science - formally the Physical Setting/Earth Science Regents - is New York State's high-school-level summative assessment in Earth science. Passing it, combined with completing the associated laboratory requirement, is how students typically earn the Regents science credit needed for a local or Regents diploma. The NY Regents Earth Science study guide has 8 sections and about 2,264 words.
01Matter, Energy, and Change in Earth Systems
This domain tests how energy flows and matter cycles through Earth’s spheres, and how density, phase changes, and feedbacks drive layering and motion. Questions often ask you to apply conservation laws and interpret energy-transfer diagrams.
287 words, about 1 min02Earth’s Interior, Plate Tectonics, and Geologic History
This domain tests how seismic evidence reveals Earth’s layers, how plate motions build and destroy crust, and how rocks record relative and absolute time. P-waves (compressional) travel through solids, liquids, and gases; S-waves (shear) travel only through solids.
282 words, about 1 min03Rocks, Minerals, and Surface Processes
This domain tests mineral identification, the rock cycle, weathering and erosion, and how moving water, wind, and ice shape landscapes. A mineral is naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, has a definite chemical composition, and an ordered atomic structure.
268 words, about 1 min04Weather, Climate, and the Atmosphere
This domain tests atmospheric structure, humidity, winds, air masses and fronts, severe weather, and the factors that control climate. Dry air is about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
304 words, about 2 min05Water Cycle, Oceans, and Groundwater
This domain tests the pathways and stores of water, streamflow, groundwater movement, and ocean circulation. The water cycle includes evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and storage in ice, groundwater, lakes, and oceans.
293 words, about 1 min06Astronomy and Earth’s Place in the Solar System
This domain tests Earth’s motions, the celestial sphere, Moon phases and eclipses, solar-system organization, and stars. Earth rotates west-to-east, causing apparent daily motion of celestial objects from east to west.
287 words, about 1 min07Scientific Inquiry, Measurement, and Data Analysis
This domain tests experimental design, metric measurement, graphing, and the interpretation of data with appropriate units and uncertainty. A testable hypothesis predicts a relationship.
259 words, about 1 min08Laboratory and Performance Skills
This domain tests safe and accurate use of lab equipment, map and reference-table skills, and the ability to construct and interpret graphs, profiles, and contour maps. Safety: wear goggles, never eat or drink in the lab, waft odors, point heated test tubes away from people, and report spills immediately.
284 words, about 1 min