Regents Algebra I (New York) Exam Survival Guide

Format: Part I MCQ, Parts II–IV constructed-response

Must-do topics

• Functions & notation f(x)f(x)f(x); domain/range; rate of change
• Linear/quad/exponential models; compare growth
• Quadratic features: vertex, zeros, axis; completing the square
• Systems (linear/linear; linear/quadratic basics)
• Statistics: residuals, correlation, two-way tables

Top traps

• Writing rate of change from non-uniform tables
• Misreading “context” units on intercepts/zeros
• Completing square: sign/half-coefficient mistakes
• Residual sign = yobs−ypredy_{\text{obs}}-y_{\text{pred}}yobs​−ypred​ (direction confusions)

Quick checks

• From a context graph: identify slope & intercept meanings
• Convert standard ↔ vertex form; find vertex fast
• Determine if data fits linear vs exponential
• Compute one residual from a best-fit line

You will make

• Vertex snap-card (complete-square ladder)
• Model picker flowchart (linear vs exp vs quad)
• Context dictionary (what slope/intercepts mean)

Last-48h checklist

• 6 vertex/zeros items (mix forms)
• 4 “choose the model” judgments
• 3 systems (incl. one lin/quad by graph)
• 1 residuals mini-set + two-way table read