November 14th is a red-letter day for many Palo Alto students. The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test will be administered on campus that day.

The TASP test assesses mathematics, reading and writing skills and is required for all students enrolling in a Texas public college or university.

The TASP test is administered six times a year and costs $29. An option for first time test-takers is the alternative TASP, which costs $15.

A new law effective this fall mandated that students take the TASP test prior to enrolling in any college classes.

The Alamo Community College District experienced an overall drop in enrollment of more than 1,000 students this fall. According to the San Antonio Express-News, some educators believe that this new law is one of the reasons for the decrease in enrollment. In the past, students were able to take up to nine college hours before taking this mandatory test.

Students registered to take placement tests such as the TASP and alternative TASP decreased at Palo Alto from 8,722 in 1996-1997 to 8,166 in 1997-1998, for a total of 556 fewer students.

One other reason for the drop in enrollment could be the booming economy, according to Velda Villarreal, Director of Academic Services. She said that many potential students get jobs instead of going to school.

UTSA's downtown campus may have also impacted enrollment. A total of 2,957 students are enrolled there this fall.

The TASP causes may students stress and fear. Shenda Elley, a freshman agriculture major at Palo Alto, said she felt overwhelmed when she took the five-hour test. Elley was disappointed when she failed the TASP. She was a good student in high school and thought she was prepared for the test.

TASP-failed students are required to take remediation. If a student fails more than one area of the test, then at least one remedial course is required.

If the student completes the remediation but still fails the TASP, the student is then enrolled in a Support Program for Improving College Education (SPICE). Located in the Student Learning Assistance Center (SLAC), SPICE is designed to prepare students for retaking the skills test. Free tutoring is also available.

Rachel Espinoza, a freshman education major said, "I took too long on on the other sections and did not have enough time to focus on the math section." Espinoza said SPICE freshened her math skills and helped her pass the math section the second time around.

There is no limit on the number of times a student can take the TASP test, but preparing yourself can definitely improve your chances of passing. Instructional information to help students is in "The Official TASP Test Study Guide." Practice tests can also be found in SLAC.

Academic preparation is a must, but mental and physical preparation are equally important. The following guidelines should be incorporated into students' success strategy:

Get adequate rest the night before the exam.

Avoid cramming for the test. This technique causes anxiety.

Practice! Practice! Practice! You have to know how to play the                game in order to win it.

Avoid any alcohol or drug use before the test to insure mental                sharpness.

Know where your test site is located and arrive early with plenty                of spare time to avoid feeling rushed.

Eat a well-balanced meal the morning of your test to help keep                you alert and focused.

The TASP test was not designed to scare students entering college. It was created to help administration place students in the proper courses to ensure academic success.

SLAC is offering free TASP workshops for Palo Alto students beginning November 2. Take advantage of these free workshops to guarantee you're on the TASP-passed track.