Regents' Testing Program
The Regents' Test is a reading and writing test designed by the University System of Georgia as one method for satisfying the Regents' Writing and Reading Skills Requirement. It is administered each semester to eligible students on dates set by the Regents' Testing Program Office.
What is the Regents' Writing and Reading Skills Requirement?
When Should You Take the Test? New policy - Fall 2008
How Do You Register for the Test?
What do the Regents' Holds and Warnings Mean?
Where can I find more information about the Regents' Test?
Additional information about the Regents' Test may be found on the Regents' Testing Program website at: www.gsu.edu/rtp.
Regents' Writing and Reading Skills Requirement
Students enrolled in undergraduate degree programs leading to the baccalaureate degree must complete the Regents' Writing and Reading Skills Requirement as a requirement for graduation.
Effective Fall Semester 2008, a number of changes in the Regents' Writing and Reading Skills Requirement will be implemented, designed to speed students' acquisition of the minimum level of reading and writing skills that are critical outcomes for every graduate from a University System of Georgia institution.
Students may satisfy the Regents' Reading Skills Requirement by scoring at or above specified scores on any of the following examinations:
- Regents' Reading Test exemption score: 61
- SAT Reasoning Test, Reading Section exemption score: 510
- ACT Reading exemption score: 23
(SAT or ACT scores must be from a national administration. Scores from institutional SAT or residual ACT tests will not be acceptable for this purpose.)
Students may satisfy the Regents' Writing Skills Requirement by scoring at or above specified scores on any of the following examinations:
- Regents' Essay exemption score: 2
- College Board Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition exemption score: 3
- College Board Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition exemption score: 3
- International Baccalaureate (IB) higher-level English exemption score: 4
- SAT II English Writing exemption score: 650
- SAT Reasoning Test, Writing Section exemption score: 560
(effective Spring 2007) - SAT Reasoning Test, Reading Section exemption score: 510 AND SAT Reasoning Test, Writing Section exemption score: 500 (effective Summer 2008)
- ACT Combined English/Writing exemption score: 24
- ACT Reading exemption score: 23 AND ACT Combined English/Writing exemption score: 22 (effective Summer 2008)
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When Should You Take the Test?
Effective Fall Semester 2008, you must take each part of the Regents' Test that you have not previously passed or exempted each semester of enrollment in a University System institution, beginning with your first semester.
If you perform at at very low level when taking the test for the first time, you will be required to enroll in the Regents' skills course or courses in your next semester of enrollment.
If you have 0-11 hours of previous college credit and do not pass but score above the low-failure level, you may take the test again in your next semester without taking the skills course or courses. If you are not successful in your second attempt, you must enroll in the skills course or courses in your third semester of enrollment.
If you are transferring 12 hours or more from an institution outside the University System of Georgia, you may test in your first semester of enrollment without taking the skills courses. If you are not successful, you must enroll in the skills course or courses in your next semester of enrollment. (If you are transferring from GMC and have taken but not passed the test, you must enroll in the skills courses in your first semester of enrollment.) Since all institutions in the University System follow the Regents' Test policy, if you are transferring from another system institution, you must enroll in the skills course or courses if you have not satisfied the requirement by your third semester of enrollment in the University System, including your original school and Georgia College and excluding any semesters in which you were enrolled in Learning Support English or reading.
Students who do not take the test are treated the same as those who do not pass the test. If you transfer 12 hours or more from outside the University System, you must enroll in the skills course or courses in your second semester of enrollment at Georgia College if the requirement is not satisfied. If you have been enrolled in the University System for two semesters, whether only at Georgia College or at another System school and Georgia College, you must enroll in the skills course or courses in your third semester of enrollment if the requirement is not satisfied.
How Do You Register for the Test?
The test registration process is separate from course registration. You can register for the test through the Register for Regents' Test link on the Student Services & Financial Aid menu in PAWS. (The link may not be visible if the test registration period is not open.) After you select the appropriate term, the available test sessions will be listed. You will choose the one you prefer and then print your test admission ticket.
If you receive accommodations for a learning disability or if your primary language is not English, you should register for an extended time session through the Center for Testing instead of using the online process. If you have a Regents' Test hold (Must take RGTE 0199 or Must take RGTR 0198), you must contact the Center for Testing to determine whether you are eligible to test and, if so, to register for a session. If you need to make a change in your scheduled test session or if you want to register as a stand-by after the registration deadline, you must also contact the Center for Testing (217 Lanier Hall, telephone (478) 445-5016)
Regents' Warning
There are several warnings that may appear on your record if you have not satisfied the Regents' Writing and Reading Requirement. The warnings give you information about your Regents' status, but they do not affect course registration. Warnings placed on your record before the semester begins or in the first few weeks apply to the current semester. Other warnings are placed later in the semester before registration for the next semester begins. They indicate your status in the next semester if you do not complete the requirement during the current semester.
RE – Regents' Exam Required
You have not satisfied one or both parts of the Regents' Test and must register to take the test. If this warning appears again before registration for the next term, you are eligible to retest in your next semester, if necessary.
RR – Must take RGTR0198
RW – Must take RGTE0199
These warnings indicate that you must enroll in the indicated skills course or courses. If the warning(s) appear before registration for the next term, you will be required to enroll in the courses in your next semester if you do not pass the test in the current semester. If you pass the test, these warnings will be deleted. If you do not pass the test or if you do not take the test, you must add the required course or courses to your schedule as soon as you can. If you do not make the change, the Center for Testing will make the necessary schedule changes for you.
RR – Must take RGTR0198-12 hrs max
RW – Must take RGTE0199-12 hrs max
University policy limits students who have earned 90 or more hours and have not satisfied the Regents' requirement to take a maximum course load of 12 hours, including the Regents' course or courses. If the warning appears before registration for the next term, it indicates that your previously-earned hours and your currently-enrolled hours total 90 or more. If you do not complete the requirement and if you end the semester with 90 or more hours, you will be restricted to a maximum of 12 credit hours. It is possible to petition to exceed 12 hours for one semester only. Contact the Center for Testing about the petition process.
Regents' Holds
The following Regents' holds, unlike warnings, do block online course registration.
RT – Regents' Test
If you have not registered for the Regents' Test by the test registration deadline for the semester, this hold is placed on your record. You will not be permitted to register for the next semester courses during the opening week of registration until you have registered for a test session in the current semester.
RH – Regents' Hold
This hold may be placed on your record if you drop or do not attend a required Regents' course or if there are issues that require contact with the Center for Testing. The hold may be removed if the issue is resolved, or you may be required to register for courses through the Center for Testing.
