Kaplan Enters Exclusive Agreement with Pearson VUE to Provide the Most Realistic GMAT(R) Practice Test Offered by Any Test Prep Provider

NEW YORK, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Students preparing for the Graduate Management Admission Test with Kaplan will be able to take a practice exam in a Pearson Professional Center, the network of test centers that will administer the actual GMAT(R) exam beginning in January 2006, thanks to a new exclusive agreement between Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions and Pearson VUE. Under the terms of the agreement, Kaplan's GMAT(R) students can take the "Ultimate Practice Test" -- a practice exam in the same testing environment as the actual GMAT(R) so they can experience a dry run under true test day conditions. Kaplan has offered the Ultimate Practice Test since August, 2004, through a previous partnership.*

Kaplan, the largest provider of test preparation for the GMAT(R), is the only test prep provider that enables GMAT(R) test takers to practice in the actual testing facility. Test takers have a chance to experience their exam environment in advance -- test center location, computer setup, lighting, seating arrangement, security procedures, room layout, etc. -- and know what to expect on test day. The Ultimate Practice Test will now be available to Kaplan students in North America, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, London and Paris.

"We're pleased to partner with Pearson VUE to provide our students with the distinct competitive advantage of The Ultimate Practice Test. Familiarity with the testing environment can help combat anxiety and breed confidence, which is vital to test day success," said Susan Kaplan, director of business programs for Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. "The Ultimate Practice Test removes the unknown from the equation for test day so students are able to focus on the exam itself."

The Ultimate Practice Test is provided to Kaplan's GMAT(R) students at no extra cost as part of Kaplan's GMAT(R) classroom, tutoring and premium online prep options. The in-center test will be administered as one of the eight practice computer adaptive tests that are included in the Kaplan program.

Kaplan offers complete preparation for GMAT(R) test takers. Kaplan's GMAT(R) course gives prospective business school students extensive practice with eight online computer adaptive tests that simulate the GMAT(R), and an online study center that includes over 100 online workshops and quizzes. Students receive instruction from highly trained experts, exclusive test-taking strategies and a tailored, performance-based study plan. The Kaplan GMAT(R) course also features high quality study materials including a comprehensive course book, extensive online materials and new advanced content for those targeting 700+ on the GMAT(R). Kaplan prepares tens of thousands of would-be MBAs annually.

For more on the Ultimate Practice Test, tips on taking computer adaptive tests and information on upcoming free practice tests and business school admissions events around the country, go to http://www.kaptest.com/business.

* The Graduate Management Admission Council(R) is neither involved nor endorses this arrangement in any way.

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions (http://www.kaptest.com/), a division of Kaplan, Inc. (http://www.kaplan.com/), is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is far and away the world leader in the test prep industry and has served well over 3 million students. With 3,000 classroom locations worldwide, a comprehensive menu of online offerings and a complete array of books and software, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 60 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as English language and professional licensing exams. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and college and graduate admissions consulting services.

Pearson VUE (http://www.pearsonvue.com/) is the electronic testing business of Pearson Education, which in turn is part of Pearson, the international media company. Pearson's primary operations also include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.

Note to editors: Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company

Press contact: Victoria Grantham, victoria_grantham@kaplan.com, 212-453-7538 Stephanie Dille, stephanie.dille@pearson.com, 952-681-3798