NY HS Chemistry Learning Standards
The first administration of the new NYS Regents chemistry exam, which assesses students on the performance expectations below, is planned for June 2026 (per the NYSED science implementation roadmap).
The performance expectations are listed as they appear on the chemistry course map for courses that culminate in a chemistry regents exam. There are a total of 21 performance expectations on the chemistry course map. The chemistry course map contains performance expectations that also appear on the physics and biology course maps, such as HS-PS1-8 and HS-LS1-5.
The performance expectations are listed in the same order they are in on the chemistry course map. However, the chemistry course map notes that "instructional sequences are not assumed" and "student performance expectations (PEs) may be taught in any sequence or grouping within a course".
HS. Structure and Properties of Matter
HS-PS1-1 | Periodic table, valence electrons, properties of elements
Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
Clarification statement: Examples of properties that could be predicted from patterns could include reactivity of metals, types of bonds formed, numbers of bonds formed, and reactions with oxygen.
Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to main group elements. Assessment does not include quantitative understanding of ionization energy beyond relative trends.
Read more...
HS-PS1-3 | Intermolecular forces and bulk scale properties
Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on understanding the strengths of forces between particles in solids, liquids, and gases, not on naming specific intermolecular forces (such as dipole-dipole). Examples of particles could include ions, atoms, molecules, and network solids. Examples of bulk scale properties of substances could include the melting point and boiling point, vapor pressure, and surface tension.
Read more...
HS-PS1-8 | Nuclear Processes
Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on simple qualitative models, such as pictures or diagrams, and on the scale of energy released in nuclear processes relative to other kinds of transformations.
Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include quantitative calculation of energy released. Assessment is limited to alpha, beta, positron, and gamma radioactive decays.
Read more...
HS-PS1-9 | Combined Gas Law
Analyze data to support the claim that the combined gas law describes the relationships among volume, pressure, and temperature for a sample of an ideal gas.
Clarification statement: Real gases may be included at conditions near STP. The relationships of the variables in the combined gas law may be described both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to the relationships among the variables of the combined gas law, not the gas law names, i.e. Boyle’s Law.
Read more...
HS-PS1-10 | Solutions
Use evidence to support claims regarding the formation, properties and behaviors of solutions at bulk scales.
Clarification statement: Examples of physical properties could include colligative properties, degree of saturation, physical behavior of solutions, solvation process and conductivity. Examples of solution types could include solid-liquid, liquid-liquid, and gas-liquid solutions. Concentrations can be quantitatively expressed in ppm, molarity, and percent by mass.
Assessment boundary: Assessment of colligative properties is limited to qualitative statements of boiling point elevation and freezing point depression.
Read more...
HS-PS2-6 | Molecular Level Structure of Designed Materials
Communicate scientific and technical information about why the particulate-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on the attractive and repulsive forces that determine the functioning of the material. Examples could include why electrically conductive materials are often made of metal, flexible but durable materials are made up of long chained molecules, and pharmaceuticals are designed to interact with specific receptors.
Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to provided particulate structures of specific designed materials.
Read more...
HS. Chemical Reactions
HS-PS1-2 | Simple Chemical Reactions
Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.
Clarification statement: Examples of chemical reactions could include the reaction of sodium and chlorine, of carbon and oxygen, or of carbon and hydrogen.
Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to chemical reactions involving main group elements and combustion reactions.
Read more...
HS-PS1-4 | Total Bond Energy Change in Chemical Reactions
Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on the idea that a chemical reaction is a system that affects the energy change. Examples of models could include molecular-level drawings and diagrams of reactions, graphs showing the relative energies of reactants and products, and representations showing energy is conserved.
Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include calculating the total bond energy changes during a chemical reaction from the bond energies of reactants and products.
Read more...