When a differential equation is in the form \( M(x, y)dx + N(x, y)dy = 0 \), first check if it's exact by testing if \( \frac{\partial M}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial N}{\partial x} \). If it is, solving is straightforward. If not, try rearranging it into a linear form like \( \frac{dy}{dx} + P(x)y = Q(x) \) or \( \frac{dx}{dy} + P(y)x = Q(y) \). Recognizing the form is the key to solving first-order differential equations quickly.