Learning Commons Hosting Free Fall Semester Test Prep Workshop for Students, Community

During the fall semester at The University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, the Learning Commons will host free test preparation workshops for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Testing (ACT). These free workshops are available to both university students and the community.

“Resources, such as these college prep courses offered on our Southern Miss Gulf Park campus, are open not only to our students, but to the entire community,” said Dr. Steve Miller, interim vice president for the Gulf Park campus. “I encourage anyone preparing for higher education to take advantage of this great opportunity.”

Each Saturday during the fall semester, Learning Commons tutors will lead small group sessions highlighting key skills needed to successfully conquer the GRE, SAT, and ACT. These structured workshops, scheduled to begin Aug. 23 from 12 – 4 p.m., will cover key topics on the exams, as well as providing mini-tests and review.

“Success on the GRE, SAT, and ACT often requires a sustained and directed approach to taking these exams,” said Jack Covarrubias, director for the Learning Commons. “Over the course of a semester, Learning Commons tutors at the Southern Miss Gulf Park campus will take participants through each of the major sections of these tests and provide the tools and support needed to test with confidence to achieve a higher score.”

In addition to the structured GRE, SAT, and ACT preparation workshops, the Learning Commons offers unstructured assistance through preparation guides and practice exams, which are available during open hours for use within the center. Tutors are also available to assist with self-paced study programs.

“With these prep courses offered by our Learning Commons, it adds to the growing list of ways we try to serve as an educational resource for everyone,” said Miller. “In addition to the test prep courses, our campus offers various workshops, exhibitions and performances where we invite both our campus and local communities to join us throughout the year.”

The Learning Commons, which offers tutoring and provides resources to help with mathematics, science, writing and speaking, and language arts, is located on the first floor of the Gulf Coast Library on the university's Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. For more information, call 228.214.3411 or e-mail USMGCLearnFREEMississippi.