INFORMATION ON THE NYS LIVING ENVIRONMENT REGENTS

The Living Environment Regents Examination is a standardized assessment given to students enrolled in New York State schools. The examination is based on the Living Environment Core Curriculum which is based on Standard 1 and 4 of the New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology. These content-based questions test your ability to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information from the Living Environment core curriculum.

When is the Biology Regents offered?

The Biology Regents is offered in January, June and August of each year.

How is the Biology Regents Test structured?

Part A: This section consists of 30 content-based multiple-choice questions. These questions are worth 1 credit each, for a total of 30 credits.

Part B: This section consists of 25 content- and skill-based questions assessing your ability to apply, analyze, and evaluate material from the core curriculum. The items from Part B may be either multiple-choice or short constructed response questions (CRQ). CRQs are a new item type for this exam, and require that students write out the answer to a question. The answer to each CRQ question may come from a document provided on the exam, or may require that you incorporate outside information that you learned while studying this subject.

Part C: This section consists of 8-9 content and application questions designed to assess your ability to apply your knowledge of science concepts and skills to address real-world situations. The items in this section are worth a total of 17 credits. The items from Part C may be either short constructed response questions (CRQ) or extended CRQs.

Part D: Questions concerning the concepts and skills learned while performing the four lab activities that New York State requires: Making Connections, Diffusion through a Membrane, Beaks of Finches and Relationships and Biodiversity. Multiple choice and open-ended questions (similar to the questions in Part B and C), will assess the concepts, content, and process skills associated with laboratory experiences in Living Environment that are aligned to the New York State Living Environment Core Curriculum.

Which is the subject matter included in the Biology Curriculum?

1. Organization of Life
    A. Living vs. Nonliving
    B. Population Diversity
    C. Organizational Levels
    D. Cell Structure
    E. Life Functions
    F. Cellular Communication

2. Heredity and Genetics
    A. DNA
    B. Asexual v. Sexual Heredity
    C. Protein Synthesis
    D. Genetic Engineering

3. Evolution: Change Over Time
    A. Natural Selection
    B. Mutations
    C. Variation

4.Reproduction and Development
    A. Asexual Reproduction
    B. Sexual Reproduction
    C. Human Reproductive System
    D. Development

5. Homeostasis
    A. Biochemical Processes
    B. Disease
    C. Feedback Mechanisms

6. Ecology
    A. Biotic vs. Abiotic
    B. Energy Flow
    C. Material Cycles
    D. Organism Relationships
    E. Biodiversity
    F. Ecological Succession

7. Human Impact on the Environment
    A. Interrelationships
    B. Technological Developments
    C. Improvements

8. Scientific Inquiry and Laboratory Techniques
    A. Scientific Methods
    B. Organization and Analysis of Data
    C. Safety
    D. Instrumentation
    E. Measurement
    F. Indicators
    G. Dichotomous Keys
    H. Dissection


How is the subject matter weighted on the Living Environment Regents Exam?

Content	Approximate Weight
Standard 1         Laboratory Checklist	10-20%
Standard 4
Key Idea 1	13-17%
Key Idea 2	9-13%
Key Idea 3	8-12%
Key Idea 4	6-10%
Key Idea 5	13-17%
Key Idea 6	10-14%
Key Idea 7	11-13%

*Refer to the Living Environment Core Curriculum for more information on concepts covered in each Standard and Key Idea.