NY Regents Global History and Geography II exam-day guide
NY Regents Global History and Geography II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID (if required by your testing site)
Many schools administer this exam in-house and identify students by roster rather than formal ID. Confirm with your school or testing coordinator whether a photo ID is needed; if you are testing at a site other than your home school, ask specifically.
Two or more No. 2 pencils and a working eraser
The multiple-choice section is answered on a separate answer sheet, so bring spare pencils and a clean eraser. Mechanical pencils are usually acceptable but confirm locally, since some proctors restrict them.
Blue or black pens
The constructed-response and enduring-issues essay portions are typically written in pen. Bring two in case one fails; avoid gel pens that smudge, since neat, legible handwriting matters for scorers reading scanned pages.
Know the exam structure cold
Part I is multiple-choice stimulus questions (documents, charts, maps, cartoons). Part II is short constructed-response questions based on document sets, including contextualization, sourcing, and a geography-related item. Part III is the enduring-issues essay, chosen from two prompts, using at least two of the provided documents plus outside knowledge.
Review the enduring issues list and practice choosing one
The essay asks you to connect documents to a broad theme (for example conflict, scarcity, or urbanization). Practice picking a theme quickly and drafting a thesis that names the issue, two documents, and an outside example.
Practice sourcing language
Part II routinely asks about a document's author, audience, purpose, or bias. Memorize a formula: who made it, when, for whom, and why that matters for how reliable or useful it is.
Bring a watch that is not a smart device
Wall clocks may be out of view. A simple analog or digital watch is safer than a phone, which may be collected or banned at your seat. Confirm your site's device policy.
Review key geography skills
Be ready to read latitude and longitude, interpret a map's legend and scale, identify push and pull factors in migration, and explain how physical features affect settlement and trade.
Get a full night's sleep and eat breakfast
The exam is long and writing-heavy; stamina matters more than last-minute cramming. A short review of your essay outline the night before is more useful than new content.
Arrive early and know your room assignment
Confirm your testing room and start time with your school the day before. Late arrival may mean you are not admitted or that your time is shortened; confirm the site's late-arrival policy.
Plan your essay evidence in advance
Prepare three or four outside-knowledge examples you know well (for example a specific war, treaty, famine, or migration) that could fit several enduring issues, so you are not searching your memory under time pressure.
Plan the day
Take one full timed practice run: multiple-choice, one Part II document set, and one essay. Time each section and note where you ran out of time. Spend the rest of the day reviewing your errors, especially any stimulus types (cartoons, charts, maps) that slowed you down.
Review the enduring issues list and build a one-page sheet of outside-knowledge examples mapped to at least four themes. Practice writing two thesis statements in five minutes each without notes.
Do a light review only: sourcing formulas, geography skills, and your example sheet. Pack pencils, pens, eraser, watch, and any ID your site requires. Confirm your room, start time, and device policy with your school. Sleep on a normal schedule.
Eat breakfast, arrive early, and leave your phone and smart devices behind or stowed per site rules. Once seated, skim the whole test to see the essay prompts before you begin, so your brain can work on theme selection while you answer Part I.
Answer every multiple-choice question; there is no penalty for guessing. Read the stimulus before the question stem, eliminate two choices, and flag anything slow for a second pass. Do not spend more than about a minute on any single item.
Answer in complete sentences and use specific evidence from the document. For sourcing items, name the author, date, audience, or purpose and explain the effect on reliability. For geography items, reference the map or chart directly.
Choose the prompt you can support fastest. Spend a few minutes outlining: thesis naming the issue and two documents, one body paragraph per document with quotation or paraphrase plus explanation, one body paragraph of outside knowledge, and a brief conclusion. Leave time to proofread.
Check that every answer sheet bubble is filled, every constructed-response line is answered, and your essay has a clear thesis and legible handwriting. Fix only clear errors; do not rewrite whole paragraphs.
Rules to check
Follow all proctor instructions and the site's device policy. Phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices are typically prohibited at your seat; confirm with the provider how they are collected or stored.
Bring the identification your testing site requires. If you are unsure whether photo ID is needed, confirm with the provider before exam day rather than assuming.
Breaks are set by the proctor and site. Ask in advance whether a restroom break is allowed during the session and whether the clock stops; do not assume you will get extra time.
The exam is scored on multiple-choice responses plus rubric-scored constructed-response and essay writing. Answer every question, since unanswered items earn no credit, and write legibly because responses are read by scorers.
Use only the documents provided for document-based questions, and clearly distinguish document evidence from your own outside knowledge in the essay.
Do not communicate with other students during the session, and do not share or discuss specific exam content afterward in ways your school prohibits.
If you need a testing accommodation, arrange it well before exam day through your school's coordinator; accommodations are not granted on the day of the test.
If you are late or miss the start, your admission and available time are at the site's discretion; confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider in advance.