The purpose of this two-year study was twofold: (1) to examine the reading and study skills gains of the high school graduates, college students, and college graduates participating in the 1983 Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) at the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences; and (2) to compare the 1983 results with those for 1982. (HCOP was a summer program designed to reach academically talented minority or educationally disadvantaged students interested in pursuing careers in the health-care professions and to help them attain their educational goals.) Analysis of pre- and post-test results for 1983 showed that gains were made by all levels of participants. Comparison of 1982 and 1983 results revealed superior student performance levels in 1983, a phenomenon attributed to the larger pool of applicants in 1983 and to staff awareness of the assessment data for 1982, which facilitated better program focus in 1983. (RDN)