A graduate student has made it her thesis to help students with preparing with the Basic Skills Test while learning about the testing process at the same time.

Jennifer Rose, a clinical counseling graduate student, works with Heidi Larson, a professor in the Counseling and Student development department, and is performing the study.

Rose said her study consists of 27 students who have never taken the Basic Skills Test before, and they will spend the next six weeks preparing for it under her guidance.

She said it includes a strict study schedule complete with workshops, computer software for students to use, as well as mandatory group study sessions every Thursday.

Rose said students also took a pre test on Saturday, Oct. 1 so they know where they are starting and so she can gauge their progress.

“At the group sessions we will work on test anxiety,” Rose said. “Students will learn to identify it as well as deal with it using methods such as deep breathing. Within these groups, the students will also have a support system so they don’t feel like they are doing this alone.”

Rose said her students are free to pick and choose which workshops to attend, but they have to commit 10 hours a week to studying.

“This is a very guided program with support every step of the way,” Larson said. “There is a lot of hand holding, which makes students more likely to utilize the resources and at the same time we are flexible and let them choose.”

Larson said the overall goal for the program is to find out what works with the hope that the university could incorporate her findings into their support programs in the future.

Rose said she chose this project for her thesis after discussing it with Larson and hearing about the increased student fail rate of the Basic Skills Test and how much of a high stake the test is for many students.

“Pairing the program with the aspect of test anxiety just made sense to try and find a connection,” Rose said.

Rose and Larson agreed that the university and the College of Education of Professional Studies faculty have been very supportive of their research.

“Everyone is so invested,” Rose said. “They believe it is important and are doing everything they can to help us.”

Rose’s study began Sept. 22 with an informational meeting and will continue through Nov. 12 when the Basic Skills Test will take place on campus.

Amy Wywialowski can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].