the regents examinations are developed and administered by the new york state education department (nysed) under the authority of the board of regents of the university of the state of new york. regents exams are prepared by a conference of selected new york teachers of each test's specific discipline who assemble a test map that highlights the skills and knowledge required from the specific discipline's learning standards. the conferences meet and design the tests three years before the tests' issuance, which includes time for field testing and evaluating testing questions.