This report describes the methods and procedures used for the field test of the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study First Followup 1996-98 (BPS:96/98). Students in this survey were first interviewed during 1995 as part of the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study 1996 field test. The BPS:96/98 full-scale student sample includes students who started their postsecondary education during the 1995-96 academic year. Evaluation of procedures used in the field test has led to refinements that benefit the full-scale study. The introductory chapter describes the study and the unique purposes of the field test. Chapter 2 reviews the study design and methodology for the field test. Chapter 3 presents overall outcomes of data collection and the special procedures implemented during the field test. Chapter 4 examines issues related to the quality of the data collected. The major recommendations for changes in the design of the full-scale study are included by topic in chapters 3 and 4, and summarized at the end of chapter 4. Materials used in the field test, including 5 facsimile interviews are provided as five appendixes to the report. (Contains 2 figures and 17 tables.) (SLD)