The basic skills level of returning adult students was investigated longitudinally. A total of 217 entering juniors majoring in business administration in fall 1980 were followed for 3 years. Through assessment and course work, 146 students demonstrated at least minimum basic skills competencies in English usage and algebra, but 71 students had at least one deficiency. Groups varied on the rates of academic success, achieving a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and nonenrollment in 1983 due to not meeting degree requirements. The rates of academic success were 90 percent for students meeting the basic skills requirements, and 36 percent for the other students. The attrition rates were 29 percent for students demonstrating basic skills in English usage and algebra, versus 95 percent for those with at least one skill deficiency. Support was found for the testing-remediation paradigm for older, reentry college juniors, which demanded minimum competencies in basic skills. (Author/SW)