Kaplan Takes GMAT Prep to a New Level with the Industry’s First Wholly Interactive Online Center, Social Media Networking, Personalized Analytics, Official Pearson Test Center Experience

Future MBA Applicants Now Have Even More Powerful Resources to Help Them Succeed on the GMAT and in the Business School Admissions Process

NEW YORK--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--As GMAT registration volume reached a record high 301,800 last year (an 11 percent jump since 2007), Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions has just launched a course that redefines the GMAT prep experience, with the industry’s first fully interactive online center. The first-of-its-kind virtual test prep center brings social networking within the learning space to a new level. Through the Kaplan Online Center, students can manage their course progress, access online resources such as b-school video-on-demand, connect with their teachers or fellow GMAT prep classmates, attend live online business school admissions events, network with future MBAs from around the world, and more.

“Kaplan has always provided industry-leading test prep, and our new GMAT prep course further enhances our program to provide students with the most interactive, effective resources available to help them reach their score goals”

The new Kaplan GMAT preparation course not only incorporates a cutting-edge Online Center, but also features redesigned course materials. Kaplan’s GMAT prep program continues to provide industry-leading expertise aimed at giving students the edge they need to succeed in today’s increasingly competitive business school admissions environment, including:

• The Official Test Day Experience: Students can take any of their practice GMAT tests at an official Pearson/GMAT Testing Center. It's the most realistic practice available, and it’s exclusively available to Kaplan students.
• Smart Reports™: This exclusive technology system analyzes students’ practice test performance and generates personalized recommendations on where to target for maximum score improvement.
• Score-Maximizing Curriculum: Whether they are taking the GMAT Classroom course, GMAT Advanced, or a Live Online course, Kaplan students receive nine instructional sessions focused on content review and strategy mastery for Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing.
• Unmatched Practice: With more than 6,000 practice items and nine proprietary computer adaptive tests (CATs) included, students won't find more practice opportunities anywhere.

“Kaplan has always provided industry-leading test prep, and our new GMAT prep course further enhances our program to provide students with the most interactive, effective resources available to help them reach their score goals,” said Jason Moss, vice president, graduate programs, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. “We based these revisions to our GMAT preparation course not only on our 40 plus years of GMAT expertise, but also on student feedback on what they are looking for in a successful GMAT prep program. We are confident that aspiring business school students are going to be excited about Kaplan’s new GMAT experience and all its resources to help them succeed.”

Prospective MBAs looking to raise their GMAT scores with Kaplan may also be heartened by the news that the job market for business school graduates may be seeing signs of picking up. According to a survey released in January 2010 by GMAC, the test maker, more than a third of the participating employers polled say they plan to hire more recent MBA graduates this year than they did in 2009, when many employers scaled back plans to hire MBAs and other recent graduates because of the recession. The survey found that 45 percent plan to maintain their current levels.

Aspiring business school students can register for a free session of Kaplan’s new GMAT prep course, to take place on February 15 at 8:30 PM EST, at http://www.kaplangmat.com. The sample class will be brought to participants via Kaplan’s Live Online technology, which puts students in a virtual classroom where they can ask questions and interact with their teacher and other classmates using audio, instant chat, whiteboard, polling, and screen-sharing functionality.

Kaplan’s courses help more prospective MBAs get into business school than any other course.* Kaplan offers the most comprehensive guarantee in the industry. Kaplan students who do not feel ready to take the GMAT, or who aren’t satisfied with their score improvement may retake the course for free. And students who don’t score higher on the GMAT may prep again for free or get their money back.

*The Harris Interactive® online study for Kaplan was conducted between December 6 and 21, 2007 among 196 US adults who applied to and were admitted into business school, of whom 181 took the GMAT and a course to prepare for it.

About Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions (www.kaptest.com), a division of Kaplan, Inc., is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings and a complete array of books, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 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 graduate admissions consulting services.

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)