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100+ Free NY Regents Physics Practice Questions

Pass your Regents Examination in Physical Science: Physics exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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A sliding block slows down because of friction. Which energy transformation best explains the decrease in the block's mechanical energy?

A
B
C
D
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NY Regents Physics Exam

June 2026

first administration of Regents Examination in Physical Science: Physics

NYSED Educator Guide and 2026 administration directions

45-55

official total-question range across 9-11 clusters

NYSED Educator Guide

60% / 40%

approximate multiple-choice and constructed-response split

NYSED Educator Guide

3 hours

student testing time

NYSED Educator Guide

65

standard Regents passing scale score on the 0-100 scale

NYSED scoring guidance

2025 Edition

Physics Reference Tables used beginning with the June 2026 Regents Examination in Physics

NYSED Reference Tables for Physics

NYSED's current transition exam is the Regents Examination in Physical Science: Physics, first administered in June 2026 under the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards. The official educator guide specifies 9-11 clusters, 45-55 total questions, about 60% multiple choice and 40% constructed response, and a 3-hour testing session. The blueprint is weighted toward Forces and Interactions (20-32%), Energy (26-38%), and Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation (26-38%). Students use the 2025 Physics Reference Tables, a calculator, centimeter ruler, and protractor, and must complete the required investigations for admission. Regents scores are reported on NYSED's 0-100 scale, with 65 as the standard passing scale score.

Sample NY Regents Physics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NY Regents Physics exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A cart travels 20 meters east in 4.0 seconds at constant speed. What is the cart's average speed?
A.0.20 m/s
B.5.0 m/s
C.16 m/s
D.80 m/s
Explanation: Average speed is distance divided by time. The cart travels 20 m in 4.0 s, so speed = 20 m / 4.0 s = 5.0 m/s.
2An object's velocity changes from 2.0 m/s to 10.0 m/s in 4.0 seconds. What is its average acceleration?
A.0.50 m/s^2
B.2.0 m/s^2
C.8.0 m/s^2
D.12 m/s^2
Explanation: Acceleration is change in velocity divided by time. The change in velocity is 10.0 m/s - 2.0 m/s = 8.0 m/s, and 8.0 m/s divided by 4.0 s is 2.0 m/s^2.
3On a position-versus-time graph, what physical quantity is represented by the slope of the graph?
A.Acceleration
B.Velocity
C.Net force
D.Momentum
Explanation: The slope of a position-time graph is change in position divided by change in time. That ratio is velocity.
4On a velocity-versus-time graph, what does the area under the graph represent?
A.Displacement
B.Mass
C.Acceleration
D.Force
Explanation: Area under a velocity-time graph equals velocity multiplied by time. Since velocity times time gives displacement, the area represents the object's displacement.
5A ball is tossed upward. Ignoring air resistance, what is the acceleration of the ball at the highest point of its path?
A.0 m/s^2
B.9.8 m/s^2 downward
C.9.8 m/s^2 upward
D.It depends on the ball's mass
Explanation: Gravity acts downward throughout the ball's motion. Even when the ball's velocity is momentarily zero at the top, its acceleration remains 9.8 m/s^2 downward.
6Which property of matter is a measure of an object's resistance to changes in its motion?
A.Weight
B.Power
C.Mass
D.Work
Explanation: Mass measures inertia, which is resistance to changes in motion. A more massive object requires a larger net force to produce the same acceleration.
7A 10-newton net force acts on a 2.0-kilogram object. What is the object's acceleration?
A.0.20 m/s^2
B.5.0 m/s^2
C.12 m/s^2
D.20 m/s^2
Explanation: Newton's second law is Fnet = ma. Solving for acceleration gives a = Fnet / m = 10 N / 2.0 kg = 5.0 m/s^2.
8What is the weight of a 3.0-kilogram object near Earth's surface?
A.0.31 N
B.3.0 N
C.9.8 N
D.29 N
Explanation: Weight is gravitational force, calculated with Fg = mg. Near Earth's surface, g = 9.8 N/kg, so Fg = (3.0 kg)(9.8 N/kg) = 29.4 N, which rounds to 29 N.
9A student pushes down on a table with a force of 40 N. According to Newton's third law, what is the paired force?
A.The table pushes up on the student with a force of 40 N
B.Earth pulls down on the table with a force of 40 N
C.The table pushes down on Earth with a force of 40 N
D.The student pushes sideways on the table with a force of 40 N
Explanation: Newton's third-law force pairs act on different objects with equal magnitude and opposite direction. If the student pushes down on the table, the table pushes up on the student with the same force magnitude.
10A box slides to the right across a rough floor. In which direction does kinetic friction act on the box?
A.To the right
B.To the left
C.Upward
D.Downward
Explanation: Kinetic friction acts opposite the relative sliding motion between surfaces. Since the box slides to the right, friction on the box acts to the left.

About the NY Regents Physics Exam

The Regents Examination in Physical Science: Physics is New York State's NYSP12SLS-aligned high-school physics Regents exam. NYSED states that the exam debuts in June 2026 and is organized into storyline-based clusters with reading passages, data tables, graphs, diagrams, photos, multiple-choice questions, and constructed-response questions. The official blueprint emphasizes Forces and Interactions, Energy, and Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation, with smaller coverage of Structure and Properties of Matter, Earth and Space Systems, and Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science. Students use the 2025 Reference Tables for Physical Science: Physics and must successfully complete the required course investigations before admission to the exam.

Assessment

Official NYSED design: 9-11 question clusters and 45-55 total questions, with approximately 60% multiple-choice questions and 40% constructed-response questions.

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Scale score 65 on NYSED's 0-100 Regents scale; NYS Level 3 minimally meets Physical Science: Physics standards and meets Regents diploma content-area requirements

Exam Fee

No direct student exam fee; the Regents exam is administered through New York schools and districts (New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of State Assessment)

NY Regents Physics Exam Content Outline

2-5%

Structure and Properties of Matter

Thermal properties, matter-energy relationships, and nuclear-process contexts that support the physics standards.

20-32%

Forces and Interactions

Newton's laws, motion models, force interactions, momentum, gravitation, electric forces, current-produced magnetic fields, and system-level predictions.

26-38%

Energy

Conservation, transfer, storage, and conversion of energy in mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, and nuclear-process contexts.

26-38%

Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation

Wave properties, interactions with matter, reflection, refraction, optics, electromagnetic spectrum, photon energy, radiation absorption, and information transfer.

2-8%

Earth and Space Systems

Physics evidence used to understand stars, spectra, redshift, electromagnetic radiation, and the expansion of the universe.

5-11%

Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science

Design criteria and constraints, trade-offs, optimization, models, simulations, and data-based evaluation of solutions.

How to Pass the NY Regents Physics Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Scale score 65 on NYSED's 0-100 Regents scale; NYS Level 3 minimally meets Physical Science: Physics standards and meets Regents diploma content-area requirements
  • Assessment: Official NYSED design: 9-11 question clusters and 45-55 total questions, with approximately 60% multiple-choice questions and 40% constructed-response questions.
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam fee: No direct student exam fee; the Regents exam is administered through New York schools and districts

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NY Regents Physics Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practice with the 2025 Physics Reference Tables until constants, circuit rules, wave formulas, vector relationships, and energy equations are quick to locate and apply.
2Expect clustered questions: read the stimulus, graph, diagram, and data table as a connected storyline rather than as isolated facts.
3Prioritize the largest official blueprint areas: Energy, Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation, and Forces and Interactions.
4For every calculation, write the model first, substitute with units, and check that the final unit matches the quantity asked for.
5Review the required investigation themes, especially induction, energy conversion and efficiency, and thermal energy/calorimetry reasoning.
6Use released Physical Setting/Physics items only for legacy skill practice; the current Physical Science: Physics exam has a new NYSP12SLS cluster-based design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official current name of the NY Regents Physics exam?

NYSED's current transition title is Regents Examination in Physical Science: Physics. It is the NYSP12SLS-aligned successor to the older Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Physics.

When is the new Physical Science: Physics Regents first administered?

NYSED states that the Regents Examination in Physical Science: Physics debuts during the June 2026 exam administration. The June 2026 schedule lists Physical Science: Physics (NYSP12SLS) as an afternoon exam on June 10, 2026, and the older Physical Setting/Physics exam on June 25, 2026.

How many questions are on the Physical Science: Physics Regents?

The educator guide gives a range rather than one fixed count: 9-11 question clusters and 45-55 total questions. Approximately 60% of the test is multiple choice and approximately 40% is constructed response.

How long is the NY Regents Physical Science: Physics exam?

Students are permitted three hours to complete the Regents Examination in Physical Science: Physics.

What score is passing on a Regents exam?

NYSED Regents examinations use a 0-100 scale score, not a raw percent-correct score. NYSED identifies 65 as the standard passing score; the Physical Science: Physics educator guide says Level 3 minimally meets the standards and meets the content-area requirements for a Regents diploma.

Are lab investigations required before taking the Physics Regents?

Yes. NYSED states that successful completion of the required Physical Science: Physics investigations is required for admission to the Regents exam. The definition of successful completion is left to local discretion, and the investigations are not included in the final Regents test score.

What materials are used on the exam?

The educator guide states that the test requires the Physical Science: Physics reference tables from NYSED. Each student must also be provided a scientific calculator, centimeter ruler, and protractor; graphing calculators are permitted if memory rules are followed.