This paper presents two solutions to the IFAC robust/adaptive benchmark example involving the partial state reference model (adaptive) control approach proposed in M’Saad, M., I. D. Landau, M. Duque and M. Samaan (1989). International Journal of Adaptive Control and Signal Processing, 3, 155-165, and M’Saad, M., 1. D. Landau and M. Samaan (1990). International Journal of Adaptive Control and Signal Processing, 4, 133-148. These solutions are based on a nominal plant model which is obtained with a least squares algorithm under a suitable experimental planning. A particular emphasis is put on the possibility to improve the performance while considerably simplfying the control design by properly exploiting all the information about the plant to be controlled.