Test Information

The Physics Regents three hours long and includes the following:

Part A: Multiple Choice
A multiple-choice question offers four answer choices from which you choose the one that best answers the question or completes the statement. This part of the exam consists of content-based questions that assess your knowledge and understanding of core material and represents 30–40 percent of the examination.

Part B-1: Multiple Choice
This section also consists of multiple-choice questions offering four answer choices. These questions are content- and skills-based and assess your ability to apply, analyze, and evaluate material.

Part B-2: Constructed Response
The constructed-response questions test skills that include performing numerical calculations, drawing and interpreting graphs, and analyzing material. The combined sections of Part B represent 25–35 percent of the examination.

Part C: Extended Constructed Response
Part C consists of content-based and application questions assessing your ability to apply knowledge of scientific concepts and skills. Be sure to write complete, clear sentences while using correct physics in your explanations. This part represents 23–30 percent of the examination.

All the questions on the Physics Regents will test major understandings, skills, and real-world applications drawn from the following 6 subject areas:

M. Math Skills needed for Physics

• Mechanics
  • Kinematics
  • Statics
  • Dynamics
  • Momentum


• Energy
  • Work
  • Power
  • Energy


• Electricity and Magnetism
  • Static Electricity
  • Electric Current
  • Magnetism
  • Electromagnetic Induction


• Waves
  • Wave Characteristics
  • Periodic Wave Phenomenon
  • Light


• Modern Physics
  • Dual Nature of Light
  • Quantum Theory
  • Models of the Atom
  • Standard Model of Particle Physics