diff --git a/tests/common/db/test_util.py b/tests/common/db/test_util.py
index 73bc090..76152de 100644
--- a/tests/common/db/test_util.py
+++ b/tests/common/db/test_util.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
    :copyright:  (c) 2015 Rice University.
    :author: pumazi.
 """
+import pytest
 import sqlalchemy as db
 
 from biglearn.common.db.util import (
@@ -14,6 +15,22 @@ from biglearn.common.db.util import (
     make_table_with_created,
     )
 
+from .helpers import (
+    dummy_tbl_name,
+    dummy_col_name,
+    dummy_col,
+    t,
+    uri,
+)
+
+
+@pytest.yield_fixture
+def conn():
+    sqlalchemy_uri = uri()
+    from biglearn.common.db.connect import Executor
+    with Executor(sqlalchemy_uri) as conn:
+        yield conn
+
 
 metadata = db.MetaData()
 
@@ -39,3 +56,8 @@ def test_make_table_with_created():
     # since the table already exists, the additional_column shouldn't
     # be in the definition.
     assert created_t == adden_t
+
+
+def test_batch_insert(conn, t):
+    import pdb; pdb.set_trace()
+    batch_insert(conn, lst, batch_size, transformer, table)