Gary M. Rubenstein - Regents Exams and Answers Algebra I Revised Edition

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In June of 2014, New York State adopted a more difficult Algebra I course and changed the Regents exam to reflect this new course. On the Algebra I Regents exam, students are expected not only to solve algebra problems and answer algebra-related questions but also to explain their reasoning. This is a major shift in the testing of algebra concepts, so a thorough review is even more critical for success.

This book will introduce you to the concepts covered throughout the Algebra I Regents course as well as to the different types of problems you will encounter on the Regents exam at the end of the year.

Students and teachers alike can use this book as a resource for preparing for the Algebra Regents exam.

Students will find this book to be a great study tool because it contains a review of Algebra I concepts, useful examples, and practice problems of varying difficulty that can be practiced throughout the school year to reinforce what they are learning in class. The most ideal way to prepare for the Algebra Regents exam is to work through the practice problems in the review sections and then the recently administered Regents exams at the end of the book.

Teachers can use this book as a tool to help structure an Algebra I course that will culminate with the Regents exam. The topics in the book are arranged by priority, so the sections in the beginning of the book are the ones from which more of the questions on the test are drawn. There are 13 sections, dedicated to all topics for Algebra I, each with practice exercises and solutions.

Becoming familiar with the specific types of questions on the Algebra I Regents exam is crucial to performing well on this test. There are questions in which the math may be fairly easy but the way in which the question is asked makes the question seem much more difficult. For example, the question Find all zeros of the function f(x) = 2x + 6 is a fancy way of asking the much simpler sounding Solve for x if 2x + 6 = 0. Knowing exactly what the questions are asking is a big part of success on this test.

Algebra has been around for thousands of years, and its basic concepts have never changed. So fundamentally, this algebra curriculum is not very different from the algebra taught in schools two years ago, ten years ago, or twenty years ago. But the exam, with more complicated ways of asking questions and presenting problems, requires a specifically presented study plan thats more important than ever.

Gary Rubinstein

This book is designed to help you get the most out of your review for the new Regents exam in Algebra I. Use this book to improve your understanding of the Algebra I topics and improve your grade.

The first section in this book contains test-taking tips and strategies to help prepare you for the Algebra I Regents exam. This information is valuable, so be sure to read it carefully and refer to it during your study time. Remember: no single problem-solving strategy works for all problemsyou should have a toolbox of strategies to pick from as youre facing unfamiliar or difficult problems on the test.

The second section in this book provides you with key Algebra I facts, useful skills, and practice problems with solutions. It provides you with a quick and easy way to refresh the skills you learned in class.

The final section of the book contains actual Algebra I Regents exams that were administered in June 2017, August 2017, June 2018, August 2018, June 2019 and August 2019. These exams and thorough answer explanations are probably the most useful tool for your review, as they let you know whats most important. By answering the questions on these exams, you will be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses and then concentrate on the areas in which you may need more study.

Remember, the answer explanations in this book are more than just simple solutions to the problemsthey contain facts and explanations that are crucial to success in the Algebra I course and on the Regents exam. Careful review of these answers will increase your chances of doing well.

Each of the Algebra I Regents exams ends with a Self-Analysis Chart. This chart will further help you identify weaknesses and direct your study efforts where needed. In addition, the chart classifies the questions on each exam into an organized set of topic groups. This feature will also help you to locate other questions on the same topic in the other Algebra I exams.

The terms that are listed in the glossary are the ones that have appeared most frequently on past Integrated Algebra and the most recently Algebra I exams. All terms and their definitions are conveniently organized for a quick reference.

Knowing the material is only part of the battle in acing the new Algebra I Regents exam. Things like improper management of time, careless errors, and struggling with the calculator can cost valuable points. This section contains some test-taking strategies to help you perform your best on test day.

Time Management

• Dont rush. The Algebra I Regents exam is three hours long. While you are officially allowed to leave after 90 minutes, you really should stay until the end of the exam. Just as it wouldnt be wise to come to the test an hour late, it is almost as bad to leave a test an hour early.
• Do the test twice. The best way to protect against careless errors is to do the entire test twice and compare the answers you got the first time to the answers you got the second time. For any answers that dont agree, do a tie breaker third attempt. Redoing the test and comparing answers is much more effective than simply looking over your work. Students tend to miss careless errors when looking over their work. By redoing the questions, you are less likely to make the same mistake.
• Bring a watch. What will happen if the clock is broken? Without knowing how much time is left, you might rush and make careless errors. Yes, the proctor will probably write the time elapsed on the board and update it every so often, but its better safe than sorry.