ACING THE GLOBAL HISTORY 2 REGENTS EXAM; A GUIDE FOR INCOMING 10th GRADERS

I aced with 90% on Global History 2 Regents. If I can do it so can you, or you can even achieve higher with the steps I am about to share with you. ❤️

Links to documents are going to be at the end and if for any reasons they do not work I will post a separate blog with the information. 

🌟They will express step by step : 

• How to construct the Enduring Issue’s Essay 
• Important terms you need to know 
• A list of Enduring Issues you need to know as well 
• Pacing yourself when taking the test 
• & some outside information you could use to advance your essay. Outside information is limitless. For instance to could be : 
• Movie references 
• Modern time politics 
• Book references 
• Other historical events  
• Enlightenment thinkers. For instance : 
• John Locke (1632-1704)
• Occupation: English philosopher and physician.
• Key Ideas: Locke is known as the “Father of Liberalism.” He argued for the social contract and the natural rights of life, liberty, and property. His ideas heavily influenced modern political philosophy and the development of democracy.
• Major Works: “Two Treatises of Government,” “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.”

• Voltaire (1694-1773)
• Occupation: French writer, historian, and philosopher.
• Key Ideas: Voltaire was a staunch advocate for freedom of speech, separation of church and state, and civil liberties. He was critical of the Catholic Church and authoritarianism.
• Major Works: “Candide,” “Letters on the English,” “Philosophical Dictionary.

• Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797)
• Occupation: English writer, philosopher, and advocate of women’s rights.
• Key Ideas: Wollstonecraft argued for the education and rights of women, asserting that women are not naturally inferior to men but appear to be only because they lack education.
• Major Works: “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,” “Thoughts on the Education of Daughters.”

• Montesquieu (1689-1755)
• Occupation: French judge, man of letters, and political philosopher.
• Key Ideas: Montesquieu is best known for his theory of the separation of powers, which is implemented in many constitutions worldwide, including the United States Constitution.
• Major Works: “The Spirit of the Laws,” “Persian Letters.”

• Rousseau (1712-1778)
• Occupation: Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer.
• Key Ideas: Rousseau believed in the inherent goodness of man and the corrupting influence of society. His concept of the “general will” and direct democracy influenced political thought and the French Revolution.
• Major Works: “The Social Contract,” “Émile, or On Education,” “Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men.”

• Economic thinkers 
• Adam Smith (1723-1790)
• Occupation: Scottish economist and philosopher.
• Key Ideas: Adam Smith is often called the “Father of Economics” or the “Father of Capitalism.” He introduced the concept of the invisible hand, which describes how individual self-interest unintentionally benefits society as a whole. He advocated for free markets and minimal government intervention in the economy.
• Major Works: “The Wealth of Nations,” “The Theory of Moral Sentiments.”

• Karl Marx (1818-1883)
• Occupation: German philosopher, economist, historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist, and socialist revolutionary.
• Key Ideas: Karl Marx is best known for his critical analysis of capitalism and his advocacy for socialism and communism. He argued that capitalism leads to class struggle and exploitation of the working class. Marx envisioned a classless society where the means of production are communally owned.
• Major Works: “The Communist Manifesto” (co-authored with Friedrich Engels), “Das Kapital.”

What Are the Regents Exams?

The Regents Exams are standardized tests in New York State, designed to ensure that students have achieved a certain level of knowledge in key subjects before graduating high school. The Global History and Geography Regents exam, typically taken in the 10th grade, assesses students’ understanding of world history and geography from ancient civilizations to the present day.

Points Distribution in the Global History and Geography Regents

The Global History and Geography Regents exam is divided into several parts, each focusing on different skills and knowledge areas:

1. Part 1: Multiple-Choice Questions - This section consists of 28 multiple-choice questions based on various historical periods and themes. All will have short passages or pictures and you will use your knowledge that you will accumulate in Global 2 to answer the questions. Most questions surround WW1, the Cold War, WW2 and wars that took place in Latin America. The Scramble for Africa and more.  Lucky I had the luxury of taking two histories in my 10th grade year. I took the standard global history and geography 2 & Latin American and Caribbean studies which also helped me with the average I achieved on my history regents exam.

2. Part 2: Enduring Issue  Essay - You will write an essay on a specific theme in global history. You must use specific examples from history to support your points. You will be given 5 documents . You need to use 3 or more to conduct your essay to the grading standard. Choose an enduring issue and write about the impact on the given time as well as modern time. You have to use plenty of outside information. This all depends on memory and what you can use to the best of your ability. The essay scaled from 0-5, 5 being the highest and 0 being the lowest. Each CRQ’s are 1 point worth just as the multiple choice which is a total of 36 points. Some CRQ’s have two parts each worth 1 point.

⭐This is the scoring chart for more reference 

3. Part 3: Constructed Response Questions (CRQ’s) - This part includes a series of short-answer questions based on a set of documents, followed by an extremely short  essay that synthesizes the information from the documents. 6 short answers. The most common type of questions asked are : 

• What is the Historical circumstances behind this text or image? 
• Meaning what took place that led up to that event shown in the image or text

• Geographical context 
• What, Where, Who, When, Why are the 5 W’s you need to know to complete this part of the document 
• Where it took place, and why it took place there are sufficient enough to answer the question 

• Cause and effect 
• After answering the first two document separately this is the time to combine the information from both documents and one question they may ask is cause and effect. How does the cause of document 1 affect the outcome of document two. 
• Cause : The reason something happens or the event that makes something else happen. It explains why an event or action takes place.
• Example : Heavy rainfall is the cause of flooding.
• Effect : The outcome or result of a cause. It describes what happens because of an event or action.
• Example : Flooding is the effect of heavy rainfall.

• Turning point 
• After answering the first two document separately this is the time to combine the information from both documents and one question they may ask is turning point. What was the Turning point of both document 
• Turning point : A critical moment or event that marks a significant change or shift in the course of a story, situation, or process. It often leads to a decisive outcome or sets the direction for future events.
• Example : In a novel, the turning point might be a pivotal battle that determines the protagonist’s fate. In history, the turning point of World War II in Europe is often considered to be the Battle of Stalingrad, where the tide turned in favor of the Allies.

• Point of view 
• For one of the document the question may be, what is the point of view of said author during said century or time period. You will need to explain how does time period affect why he wrote it and what changes does his point of view bring about. 
• Point of view : The perspective from which a story or information is presented. It can be the narrator’s or an individual’s stance on a particular issue.
• Example : In literature, the first-person point of view is when the narrator is a character in the story using “I” or “we”.

• Similarities and Differences  
• After answering the 2 document based questions this is particularly the part where it comes together, where you have to identify a similarity or a difference between the document and then explain how similar they are based on the difference in their time. Whether it shows nationalism or freedom of speech or fight for independence and a difference, which is the time period between the two documents and how they went about taking action if they started, a violent war or if they went about it to nonviolence civil disobedience. 
• Similar : The state of being alike or having common features. It highlights the attributes that two or more things share.
• Example : Both cats and dogs are similar in that they are domesticated animals kept as pets.
• Difference : The quality or characteristic that makes one thing unlike another. It focuses on the attributes that distinguish two or more things.
• Example : The difference between cats and dogs is that cats are usually more independent while dogs are often more social.

⭐For each you are given 3-6 lines meaning you should not go over those lines. These are design to see how fast you can think and how concise you can write giving them the answer they want. This also helps with the amount of time you have for your essay. After complete the first two parts (multiple choice and CRQ’s) you should have 2 hrs and 45 mins to complete the essay and the rest of time to review everything. 

How to Ace the Global History and Geography Regents

Acing the Global History and Geography Regents requires thorough preparation and strategic study habits. Here are detailed steps to help you excel:

1. Understand the Test Format: Familiarize yourself with the test format by reviewing past Regents exams. This will help you understand the types of questions asked and the level of detail expected in your answers.

2. Master Key Themes and Concepts: The exam covers a wide range of historical periods and geographic regions. Focus on mastering key themes such as belief systems, revolutions, and interdependence.

3. Practice Writing Essays: Practice writing thematic essays. Pay attention to structuring your essays clearly, using specific historical examples, and analyzing documents effectively.

4. Review Vocabulary and Concepts: Build a strong vocabulary of historical terms and concepts. This will help you understand and analyze historical texts and documents.

5. Use Study Aids: Utilize study guides, flashcards, and online resources to reinforce your understanding of global history and geography. There are two books I strongly suggest for you to purchase :

• Barron’s book for Global History 
• Explaining Global History in less than 100 pages 

Essential Knowledge for Success

To pass or ace the Global History and Geography Regents, you need to be proficient in:

1. Historical Knowledge: Understand key events, figures, and periods in global history. You need to know the context one period of WW1, WW2 and the Cold War. 

2. Geographic Literacy: Be able to locate countries, regions, and significant geographical features on a map. You need to be familiar with all 7 continents. More specially the countries that reside in them. For instance : Russia, Germany, Berlin, France, Italy, Great Britain, The USA, Japan, China, India, Congo which is located in the Continent of Africa. Additionally, the Middle East, the Mediterranean Sea ports. 

3. Analytical Skills: Analyze historical documents, identify biases, and synthesize information to form coherent arguments.

⭐️When studying, just underlining won’t help, annotate the text , apply yourself to what you are studying, add notes at the side to help remember the significance of what you are reading. This also helps with distinguishing between history. Dates, merely are not enough to show a difference in time and history. 

Importance of Passing the Regents

Passing the Global History and Geography Regents has traditionally been a requirement for high school graduation in New York State. However, a new law coming into effect in 2025 states that students will no longer need to pass the Regents exams to graduate. Despite this change, excelling in the Global History and Geography Regents remains important for several reasons:

1. College Applications: A high score on the Regents can enhance your college applications, demonstrating your academic proficiency and commitment.

2. Academic Achievement: Excelling in the Regents is a testament to your hard work and understanding of global history, providing a solid foundation for future studies.

Pacing Yourself During the Test

Effective pacing is crucial to ensure you complete all sections of the exam. Here’s how you can manage your time:

1. Multiple-Choice Questions: Allocate about 35-40 minutes for this section. Read questions carefully and eliminate obviously incorrect answers to improve your chances. I spent 15 mins on 28 multiple choice and that was because I was already familiar with the context. (Which means you should familiarize yourself with content and pay attention in class) And I spent 10- 15 minutes on the CRQ’s, giving me enough time to complete the essay and time to review everything and change whatever is necessary.

⭐️It doesn’t make sense to spend a whole school year in class just to fail the regents and then having to take the class again. 

2. Enduring Issue Essay: Spend approximately 90 minutes on the enduring issue essay. Plan your essay structure before writing and ensure you use specific historical examples. Identify the enduring issue, what documents strongly support that enduring issue and what outside information you will need to know to write the essay. 

3. Constructed Response Questions (CRQ’): Allocate about 20 minutes for this section. Analyze the documents thoroughly and answer based on what the question is asking. 

All in all 

While passing the Regents exams may no longer be a graduation requirement starting in 2025, excelling in the Global History and Geography Regents can significantly benefit your academic journey. By understanding the exam structure, mastering key historical and geographic concepts, and effectively managing your time during the test, you can ace the Global History and Geography Regents and showcase your academic prowess to colleges and universities. Best of luck, incoming 10th graders!

Writing a Enduring Issue Essay for the Global History and Geography Regents

Writing a successful enduring issue essay for the Global History and Geography Regents requires careful planning, clear organization, and thorough understanding of historical themes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you craft a high-scoring essay:

Step 1: Understand the Documents 

The first step in writing an enduring issue essay is to carefully read the essay prompt and the 5 documents. The prompt will specify a particular theme/enduring issue  in global history and ask you to discuss examples that illustrate this theme. Common enduring issues include:

• Belief Systems
• Revolutions
• Conflict
• Geography’s Impact on History
• Political Systems
• Economic Systems
• Human Rights
• Abuse of power 
• Scarcity 
• Protest 

⭐️There will be multiple links to google docs at the end to show what you are required to to know and do for the exam, more specifically the essay. 

Step 2: Brainstorm and Organize Ideas

Once you understand the theme, brainstorm specific examples from global history that relate to the theme. Choose examples that you are most familiar with and that provide a broad representation of different time periods and regions. Organize your ideas into a structured outline:

1. Introduction

• State the theme clearly. (Define what an enduring issue is first) 

• Provide a brief overview of the examples you will discuss.

• Include a thesis statement that outlines the main points of your essay.

2. Body Paragraphs (3 documents = 3 body paragraphs) 

• Each body paragraph should focus on one specific example. (In this case document) 

• Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the example.

• Provide historical details and context for the example.

• Explain how the example relates to the theme.

• Use specific evidence and details to support your explanation.

3. Conclusion

• Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.

• Restate the thesis in a new way.

• Reflect on the significance of the theme in global history.

Step 3: Write the Essay

Using your outline as a guide, write your thematic essay with clear and concise language. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each section:

Introduction:

• Define what an enduring issue is. They will provide you with the definition the page, and it is easier to use that definition than to come up with your own) 

• Context: Provide a brief overview of the theme and the examples you will discuss. Mention the time periods, regions, or events you will cover. Define the enduring issue it is that you are using, how it impacted people during that time and how it still continues to impact people. The enduring issue is always some negative, since you will always find more negatively impacting aspects of history than good. 

• Thesis Statement: Clearly state your thesis, summarizing how the examples you discuss illustrate the theme.

Body Paragraphs:

Each body paragraph should follow this structure:

1. Topic Sentence: Introduce the specific example you will discuss in the paragraph.

2. Historical Context: Provide background information about the example. Mention key events, dates, and figures associated with it.

3. Connection to enduring issue : Explain how this example illustrates the theme. Be explicit in linking the example to the broader theme.

4. Evidence and Analysis: Use specific details and evidence to support your explanation. Analyze the significance of the example in the context of the enduring issue

🌟Example Body Paragraph:

• Topic Sentence: One significant example of revolutions that brought about profound change is the French Revolution that is show or stated in Doc # whatever 

• Historical Context: The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political turmoil in France. It was driven by widespread discontent with the monarchy and the feudal system.

• Connection to enduring issue : The revolution exemplifies the theme of revolutions bringing about change by overthrowing the existing social and political structures and leading to the rise of new ideologies.

• Evidence and Analysis: The revolution led to the abolition of the monarchy, the rise of republicanism, and the spread of Enlightenment ideals. Key events such as the storming of the Bastille and the Reign of Terror highlight the dramatic changes that took place. The revolution’s impact extended beyond France, influencing other nations and contributing to the spread of democratic principles.

🌟Outside information : 

• The tennis court oath 
• Napoleon 
• The storm of the Bastille 
• Reign of terror  
• Enlightenment thinker John Locke

Conclusion:

• Restate the Thesis: Summarize the main points of your essay, restating your thesis in a new way.

• Synthesize: Reflect on the overall significance of the theme in global history. Consider how the examples you discussed have shaped historical developments and continue to influence the present.

• Closing Statement: End with a strong closing statement that reinforces the importance of understanding historical themes.

Step 4: Review and Revise

After writing your essay, take the time to review and revise it:

• Check for Clarity: Ensure that your ideas are clearly expressed and logically organized.

• Proofread: Correct any grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

• Strengthen Analysis: Make sure your analysis is thorough and your connections to the theme are clear.

• Ensure Specificity: Verify that you have included specific historical details and examples to support your points.

These are the links to the documents : ⬇️

• ENDURING ISSUES CHECKLIST
• LIST OF ENDURING ISSUES
• HISTORY REGENTS WORDS
• ENDURING ISSUE ESSAY EXAMPLE
• TIME FOR HISTORY REGENTS

Remember - Joshua 1:9❤️

By : Gabriella Henry