the first regents examinations were administered in november 1866. in 1878, the regents examination system was expanded to assess the curricula taught in the secondary schools of new york, and the regents exams were first administered as high school end-of-course exams. from the original five exams (algebra, latin, american history, natural philosophy [science], natural geography), the state education department expanded the regents exams offerings to forty-two tests in 1879; tests were administered in november, february, and june. in 1901, regents exams were given in rhetoric, civics, economics, caesar, virgil, xenophon, and physiology.