Memorise the equation-to-shape mapping table Commit the six standard shapes to memory: Y = mx (line through origin), Y = mx + c (line with intercept), x² = ky (parabola opening along y-axis), xy = constant (rectangular hyperbola), x² + y² = a² (circle), x²/a² + y²/b² = 1 (ellipse). When a NEET question shows a graph and asks 'which equation does this represent?', match the shape directly. The trap: confusing a symmetric parabola (x² = ky) with an asymmetric parabola (y = ax + bx²) — the asymmetric parabola does not pass through the origin symmetrically.

Extract slope and intercept before reading options For any straight-line graph, compute slope m = Δy/Δx from two points on the line and read the y-intercept c. In kinematics: slope of s–t graph = velocity, slope of v–t graph = acceleration, y-intercept of v–t graph = initial velocity. The trap: reading the x-intercept instead of the y-intercept, or computing slope with Δx/Δy (inverted).

Identify the independent variable before plotting The independent variable (the quantity you control or that causes change) always goes on the x-axis. In V = IR with constant R, if voltage V is varied, plot V on x-axis and I on y-axis — the slope then equals 1/R. The trap: placing the dependent variable on the x-axis, which inverts the physical meaning of the slope.

Recognise exponential and trigonometric curves by their boundary behaviour The exponential decay y = e^{−kx} starts at y = 1 when x = 0 and asymptotically approaches zero. The sine curve y = sin θ starts at zero, peaks at θ = 90°, returns to zero at 180°, and goes negative. The cosine curve y = cos θ starts at 1, falls to zero at 90°, and reaches −1 at 180°. In NEET, radioactive decay, charging/discharging capacitor, and damped oscillation graphs all follow exponential patterns — recognise the asymptotic tail as the signature.