diff --git a/pygmt/tests/test_rose.py b/pygmt/tests/test_rose.py
index 45e3f6092cd..4460c5f6473 100644
--- a/pygmt/tests/test_rose.py
+++ b/pygmt/tests/test_rose.py
@@ -20,7 +20,10 @@ def fixture_data():
 @pytest.fixture(scope="module", name="data_fractures_compilation")
 def fixture_data_fractures_compilation():
     """
-    Load the sample fractures compilation dataset.
+    Load the sample fractures compilation dataset which contains fracture
+    lengths and azimuths as hypothetically digitized from geological maps.
+
+    Lengths are stored in the first column, azimuths in the second.
     """
     return load_fractures_compilation()
 
@@ -38,7 +41,6 @@ def test_rose_data_file(data_fractures_compilation):
         diameter="5.5c",
         color="blue",
         frame=["x0.2g0.2", "y30g30", "+glightgray"],
-        incols=[1, 0],
         pen="1p",
         norm="",
         scale=0.4,
@@ -115,9 +117,8 @@ def test_rose_plot_data_using_cpt(data):
 @pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_rose_plot_with_transparency(data_fractures_compilation):
     """
-    Test supplying a data file containing a list of fracture lengths and
-    azimuth as digitized from geological maps to the data argument (lengths are
-    stored in the second column, azimuths in the first, specify via columns).
+    Test supplying the sample fractures compilation dataset to the data
+    parameter.
 
     Use transparency.
     """
@@ -129,7 +130,6 @@ def test_rose_plot_with_transparency(data_fractures_compilation):
         diameter="5.5c",
         color="blue",
         frame=["x0.2g0.2", "y30g30", "+glightgray"],
-        incols=[1, 0],
         pen="1p",
         norm=True,
         scale=0.4,
@@ -141,9 +141,8 @@ def test_rose_plot_with_transparency(data_fractures_compilation):
 @pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_rose_no_sectors(data_fractures_compilation):
     """
-    Test supplying a data file containing a list of fracture lengths and
-    azimuth as digitized from geological maps to the data argument (lengths are
-    stored in the second column, azimuths in the first, specify via columns).
+    Test supplying the sample fractures compilation dataset to the data
+    parameter.
 
     Plot data without defining a sector width, add a title and rename labels.
     """
@@ -151,7 +150,6 @@ def test_rose_no_sectors(data_fractures_compilation):
     fig.rose(
         data=data_fractures_compilation,
         region=[0, 500, 0, 360],
-        incols="1,0",
         diameter="10c",
         labels="180/0/90/270",
         frame=["xg100", "yg45", "+t'Windrose diagram'"],
@@ -165,9 +163,8 @@ def test_rose_no_sectors(data_fractures_compilation):
 @pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_rose_bools(data_fractures_compilation):
     """
-    Test supplying a data file containing a list of fracture lengths and
-    azimuth as digitized from geological maps to the data argument (lengths are
-    stored in the second column, azimuths in the first, specify via columns).
+    Test supplying the sample fractures compilation dataset to the data
+    parameter.
 
     Test bools.
     """
@@ -176,7 +173,6 @@ def test_rose_bools(data_fractures_compilation):
         data=data_fractures_compilation,
         region=[0, 1, 0, 360],
         sector=10,
-        incols=[1, 0],
         diameter="10c",
         frame=["x0.2g0.2", "y30g30", "+glightgray"],
         color="red3",
@@ -198,10 +194,15 @@ def test_rose_deprecate_columns_to_incols(data_fractures_compilation):
 
     Modified from the test_rose_bools() test.
     """
+
+    # swap data column order of the sample fractures compilation dataset,
+    # as the use of the 'columns' parameter will reverse this action
+    data = data_fractures_compilation[["azimuth", "length"]]
+
     fig = Figure()
     with pytest.warns(expected_warning=FutureWarning) as record:
         fig.rose(
-            data=data_fractures_compilation,
+            data=data,
             region=[0, 1, 0, 360],
             sector=10,
             columns=[1, 0],