Spring Break
Education students score perfect marks in national exam
Danelle Noonan
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Twenty-four counselor education students achieved for the first time in Whitewater history a 100 percent pass rate on the National Counselor Exam this past April.
The previous pass rate average was about 92 percent, according to UW-Whitewater associate professor of counselor education, Brenda O'Beirne.
"We are very proud of our students," O'Beirne said.
The National Counselor Exam is a required test for any student who wishes to be a licensed counselor. To work as an education counselor at the elementary through higher education level does not require a license. It is, however, required that a community counselor be licensed.
Several of the students who took the exam had an education emphasis and were not actually required to take it.
"I personally wanted to do it even though it wasn't required," Winther Counseling Lab Manager Tammy Albrecht said. "I wanted to affirm my learning and hard work. It was a challenge to myself."
O'Beirne said the test is meant to be a comprehensive review of everything the students learned in their training to be counselors.
The students began studying for the test well in advance.
"I purchased a 1,000 question study guide in July or August and studied it weekly leading up to the exam," Deb Weber, associate director of Field and Career Services at Beloit College, said.
Weber said she did most of her studying by herself.
"Besides the study guide, I made flash cards and reread old textbooks," she said.
Some of the students formed groups and played study games.
"Two of the interns from my class designed a Jeopardy game that was really fun," Albrecht said.
The exam itself was 200 questions and took students approximately four hours to complete.
"It was very challenging," Albrecht said. "I felt that I had studied a great deal … I used every minute."
Weber said the test had made her nervous.
"I thought the test was very difficult," she said. "I wasn't 100 percent positive that I passed. I was well prepared, though. There were no surprises."
Albrecht said she is very passionate about this program and is proud of herself and her classmates.
"It was really exciting that we all passed," Albrecht said. "Our graduating class was very close and tight-knit."
Albrecht said despite the success, she is glad it is over.
"I'm glad that I did it," Albrecht said. "I'm glad that it's finished, and I'm very proud of it."
The previous pass rate average was about 92 percent, according to UW-Whitewater associate professor of counselor education, Brenda O'Beirne.
"We are very proud of our students," O'Beirne said.
The National Counselor Exam is a required test for any student who wishes to be a licensed counselor. To work as an education counselor at the elementary through higher education level does not require a license. It is, however, required that a community counselor be licensed.
Several of the students who took the exam had an education emphasis and were not actually required to take it.
"I personally wanted to do it even though it wasn't required," Winther Counseling Lab Manager Tammy Albrecht said. "I wanted to affirm my learning and hard work. It was a challenge to myself."
O'Beirne said the test is meant to be a comprehensive review of everything the students learned in their training to be counselors.
The students began studying for the test well in advance.
"I purchased a 1,000 question study guide in July or August and studied it weekly leading up to the exam," Deb Weber, associate director of Field and Career Services at Beloit College, said.
Weber said she did most of her studying by herself.
"Besides the study guide, I made flash cards and reread old textbooks," she said.
Some of the students formed groups and played study games.
"Two of the interns from my class designed a Jeopardy game that was really fun," Albrecht said.
The exam itself was 200 questions and took students approximately four hours to complete.
"It was very challenging," Albrecht said. "I felt that I had studied a great deal … I used every minute."
Weber said the test had made her nervous.
"I thought the test was very difficult," she said. "I wasn't 100 percent positive that I passed. I was well prepared, though. There were no surprises."
Albrecht said she is very passionate about this program and is proud of herself and her classmates.
"It was really exciting that we all passed," Albrecht said. "Our graduating class was very close and tight-knit."
Albrecht said despite the success, she is glad it is over.
"I'm glad that I did it," Albrecht said. "I'm glad that it's finished, and I'm very proud of it."
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