When it comes to making algebra easier during tests, I have a few helpful tips. Here’s what has worked for me:

1. Know Your Basics: Understand the basic math rules, like the distributive property. For example, remember that when you see $a(b + c)$, you can change it to $ab + ac$. This can save you a lot of time on tricky problems.

2. Combine Like Terms: Always look for terms that are similar. If you have $3x + 5x - 2x$, you can add them together to get $6x$. It’s easy to do and makes your answers quicker to find.

3. Factor When You Can: If you notice a common number in your expression, take it out. For example, $6x + 9$ can be turned into $3(2x + 3)$.

4. Look for Special Patterns: Keep an eye out for special rules, like the difference of squares. This is when you see something like $a^2 - b^2$, which can be written as $(a - b)(a + b)$.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you work on examples, the faster you’ll get at using these tips during the test.

By following these simple strategies, I've found that I can simplify math expressions more easily and confidently during exams.