Mineral Identification Flowchart
Two editions. The 2024 edition of the Reference Tables was used for the June 2025 through August 2026 Regents examinations, and the past questions on this site were written for it. The 2026 Revised edition applies from the January 2027 exam onward, so a student preparing for January 2027 or later should practise with the 2026 Revised edition.
This site does not copy the reference tables. Open them on the NYSED website with the links below.
The two editions side by side
2024 edition
Used for the June 2025 through August 2026 Regents examinations.
Printed title: Mineral Identification Flowchart
Where: pages 16 and 17 of the PDF.
Shares the page with: Mohs Hardness Scale
2026 Revised edition
Used for the January 2027 Regents examination onward.
Printed title: Mineral Identification Flowchart
Where: pages 16 and 17 of the PDF.
Shares the page with: Mohs Hardness Scale
What changed in the 2026 Revised edition
- Mineral Identification Flowchart: 'Hornblende' became 'Amphibole (Hornblende)', 'Augite' became 'Pyroxene (Augite)', 'Muscovite' and 'Biotite' became 'Muscovite Mica' and 'Biotite Mica'; Talc moved from page 16 (no cleavage branch) to page 17 (one-direction cleavage branch). Amphibole now states 'Hardness 5-6' (the 2024 Hornblende box gave none).
The editions were compared by eye on page images, so a small change in a number may be missed. The full list of differences is on the reference tables page.