RUBIES TEST-TAKING STRATEGY

USING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

What is RUBIES?

• RUBIES is a critical thinking based test taking strategy for taking tests.

• Can be used on any content test such as science, social studies or math.

THE GOALS

Become a confident test taker

Read for understanding

“Show what you know”

GET THE ANSWER RIGHT!!!!!!!

Remember RUBIES

Write the word RUBIES on your paper and copy the acronym.

RUBIES R Read and reread everything.

U Underline the question.

B Bracket the key words or phrases.

I Identify the key concept or pattern.

E Eliminate the wrong answers.

S Select the best answer.

Step 1 - Read Everything

1. Read directions and instructions first before reading questions.

2. Read all tables, pictures, charts, and graphs associated with question first.

3. Read all parts of the question, do not skip any parts of the question.

STEP 1 Cont. –

Read and Reread EVERYTHING 1. The main idea in this step is to collect

as much information as possible. 2. Use the sample problem to apply this

step. 3. Place a small checkmark next to each

part of the problem as you read it.

Sample Problem

Marcus and Anne were going through some things in their attic to use in an experiment at school. As they sorted through the objects that they found they put them into two boxes. What would be the best label for the objects in List B? A. Magnetic objects B. Hard objects C. Electrical Conductors D. Thermal Insulators

List A List B Glass beaker Copper wire Wooden spoon Steel bolt Plastic cup Nickel-plated fork Rubber band Iron wrench

Sample Problem - Step 1 R List A List B

Glass beaker Copper wire Wooden spoon Steel bolt Plastic cup Nickel-plated fork Rubber band Iron wrench

Marcus and Anne were going through some things in their attic to use in an experiment at school. As they sorted through the objects that they found they put them into two boxes. What would be the best label for the objects in List B? A. Magnetic objects B. Hard objects C. Electrical Conductors D. Thermal Insulators

STEP 2 –Underline Question

1. The main idea of this step is to help you identify the information in the problem.

2. You need to understand the question.

3. Underlining the question helps you to focus on what is being asked, and find it quickly when you refer back to it.

Sample Problem - Step 2 RU List A List B

Glass beaker Copper wire Wooden spoon Steel bolt Plastic cup Nickel-plated fork Rubber band Iron wrench

Marcus and Anne were going through some things in their attic to use in an experiment at school. As they sorted through the objects that they found they put them into two boxes. What would be the best label for the objects in List B? A. Magnetic objects B. Hard objects C. Electrical Conductors D. Thermal Insulators

STEP 3 – [Bracket] Key Words

1. The main idea of this step is to help the you organize the information

2. Focus your attention on key words or concepts in the problem.

3. [Bracket] all key vocabulary words (i.e. science) and any words giving specialized directions;

4. Circle any words whose meaning you don't know

Sample Problem – Step 3 RUB List A List B

[Glass] beaker [Copper] wire [Wooden] spoon [Steel] bolt [Plastic] cup [Nickel-plated] fork [Rubber] band [Iron] wrench

Marcus and Anne were going through some things in their attic to use in an [experiment] at school. As they sorted through the objects that they found they put them into two boxes. What would be the best [label] for the objects in List B? A. Magnetic objects B. Hard objects C. Electrical Conductors D. Thermal Insulators

STEP 4 - Identify the Key Concept or

Pattern

1. The main idea of this step is to analyze the information in the question.

2. Here is where the hard work begins. 3. Examine the key words, graphs,

pictures, etc. 4. Find an organizing idea or pattern

behind the question.

Sample Problem – Step 4 RUBI List A List B

– [Glass] beaker [Copper] wire – [Wooden] spoon [Steel] bolt – [Plastic] cup [Nickel-plated] fork – [Rubber] band [Iron] wrench

Marcus and Anne were going through some things in their attic to use in an [experiment] at school. As they sorted through the objects that they found they put them into two boxes. What would be the best [label] for the objects in List B? A. Magnetic objects B. Hard objects C. Electrical Conductors D. Thermal Insulators

Non-metals objects Metals objects

Key concept: Conductors or insulators?

STEP 5 – Eliminate the Wrong

Answers

1. The main idea of this step is to test the answer choices. Read them all first!

2. Eliminate the ones that CANNOT be true. 3. Focus on eliminating answers with facts

and logic that connects back to key word. 4. An answer choice should not be eliminated

without justification.

Sample Problem – Step 5 RUBIE List A List B [Glass] beaker [Copper] wire [Wooden] spoon [Steel] bolt [Plastic] cup [Nickel-plated] fork [Rubber] band [Iron] wrench

Marcus and Anne were going through some things in their attic to use in an [experiment] at school. As they sorted through the objects that they found they put them into two boxes. What would be the best [label] for the objects in List B?

X Magnetic objects Copper is NOT magnetic B. Hard objects C. Electrical Conductors X Thermal Insulators Metal CONDUCTS heat

Non-metals objects Metals objects

Key concept:

Conductors or insulators?

STEP 6 - Select the Best Answer

1. The main idea of this step is to evaluate the remaining answer choices.

2. There will often be one or two possibly correct answer choices.

3. But one answer is always much better than the others.

4. Try to explain why, and how it connects to key word or concept.

Sample Problem – Step 6 RUBIES List A List B [Glass] beaker [Copper] wire [Wooden] spoon [Steel] bolt [Plastic] cup [Nickel-plated] fork [Rubber] band [Iron] wrench

Marcus and Anne were going through some things in their attic to use in an [experiment] at school. As they sorted through the objects that they found they put them into two boxes. What would be the best [label] for the objects in List B?

Non-metals objects Metals objects

Key concept:

Conductors or insulators?

X Magnetic objects Copper is NOT magnetic X Hard objects Glass could be harder than copper C. Electrical Conductors ALL metals conduct electricity X Thermal Insulators Metal CONDUCTS heat

Let’s take this TAKS question and break it down in such a way that we can be very confident that we have the answer correct.

Let’s give it a try…..

Check each time you read the question

Find key words and key concepts

Reword or rewrite the question.

Which answer choice is right?

X

X

X

YES Make sure chart information really supports answer choice

So what is the big deal about reading the question more than

once?

There is GREAT power in observation.

Check out the next couple of slides…….

Can you find 5 horses?

Can you find 5 wolves?

Actually, the two lines are the same length!

What do YOU see in this picture?

Learning to look at things and read passages for

understanding takes practice.

The more you focus on your learning, the more exciting the

learning becomes!