Students get chance to 'drive up' grad test scores

Kaplan Education Centers has partnered with the University of Arizona Alumni Association, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council and National Panhellenic Council to sponsor Test Drive '97, a program designed to give graduate school hopefuls the chance to sharpen their test-taking skills.

"When you're looking for entrance to graduate school, you want to put together the best possible package," said Shana Oseran, director of Kaplan Educational Centers, 903 E. University Blvd.

Oseran said that package includes a solid grade point average, a positive academic attitude and a high score on the LSAT, GRE, GMAT or MCAT.

"Students need to think about what they will do if they don't get that great job," she said. "Perhaps they will want to pursue an educational career."

Alumni Association Director Kent Rollins said being familiar with the test improves a person's chance of doing well.

"Experiencing graduate school before you actually go is the best way to prepare," he said. "Taking some preparatory exams is the best way."

In order to go to graduate school, however, one must plan ahead. This means taking the appropriate admission exam one year before expected enrollment.

"If you apply to grad school in 1998, you must take the exam in 1997," Oseran said. "Most students just do not think about this."

She recommends taking the exam before graduation because it is more difficult to score well if taken afterwards.

"You get rusty," Oseran said. "Most don't keep up on their square roots or 10th grade geometry."

She said this is the first year Test Drive '97 has been on campus, where students take ownership of the program.

Tickets for the practice exam cost $3.

The event's proceeds, expected to be about $3,000, will be given back to the student body in the form of a scholarship, said Laura Casper, archeology and classics senior and Greek Life assistant for the Department of Student Programs.

"As the cost of the University of Arizona goes up and school resources shrink, people have problems," she said. "We want to give the money back to the students."

Test Drive '97 organizers sent a proposal to the University of Arizona Foundation to request matching funds, resulting in $6,000 total, Casper said.

She said the University of Arizona Foundation has not yet decided whether it will match the funds.

Casper said the money, regardless of the final amount, will be given away at two UA awards dinners, the Order of Omega on March 3 and the Evening of Excellence in April.

"Many students feel that no one cares," she said. "But students need to know they are not passive players - they can play an active role and gain experience."

Admission tickets will also be available Feb. 10 through 14 at the Department of Student Programs, Memorial Student Union Room 101. Students can call 1-800-KAP-TEST for exam registration and location information.