Kaplan Test Prep Launches Free 60-Minute Adaptive PSAT® Diagnostic Exam Developed by MIT Graduates to Accurately Predict Student Performance

Practice Test by Testive Adapts Question Difficulty to Match Individual Ability Level to Reliably Predict Test-Takers’ Scores; Kaplan Released an SAT Adaptive Test in February

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With college tuition increasing at a rate that outpaces inflation, most of the more than two million students who apply to college every year cannot think of going without thinking about how to pay for it. While the biggest source for needs-based financial aid is through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students who score well on the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)* are eligible for up to $2,500 each – and nearly $50 million is awarded to tens of thousands of students annually overall. To help students reach their maximum potential on the PSAT and increase their eligibility for this merit-based aid, Kaplan Test Prep has again partnered with Testive, an adaptive test development company, to create the first-ever adaptive 60-minute practice PSAT that can reliably predict a test-taker’s score.

“What students today really want is instant feedback”

Using computer adaptive algorithms developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and built upon decades of academic research on adaptive testing, the Kaplan PSAT TurboTest, powered by Testive, can help students understand their current score without having to sit through a full-length two and a half-hour practice exam.

The first and only computer-adaptive PSAT practice test, the Kaplan PSAT TurboTest creates an individualized test experience for each student by adjusting the difficulty of questions as the test progresses. If a student answers a question correctly, the test difficulty level increases. If a student gets a question wrong, the test gets easier. By adapting to the test-taker’s ability, the PSAT TurboTest is able to create an accurate picture of his or her predicted performance more efficiently, using fewer questions.

“We are excited to bring students another adaptive practice test that they can fit into their hyper busy schedules, while also helping them meet their PSAT score goals as effectively and efficiently as possible,” said Jieun Choe, executive director of college admissions and K-12 programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “Providing students with accurate PSAT score assessment in less than half the time of the traditional practice test experience helps them identify and focus on areas of study opportunity earlier.”

"What students today really want is instant feedback,” said Miro Kazakoff, CEO of Testive, Kaplan’s partner in building the TurboTest. “We built the TurboTest to take advantage of technology to speed up that feedback cycle. With Kaplan's content and teaching expertise, students can get a great sense of the PSAT in much less time."

In February 2012, Kaplan Test Prep and Testive released the first-ever adaptive 90-minute practice SAT, which helps students understand their score without having to sit through a full-length 4-hour practice exam.

The Kaplan PSAT TurboTest is available to take online at www.kaptest.com/psatturbotest and can be used on the iPad® using a web browser.

The next administrations of the PSAT are Wednesday, October 17 and Saturday, October 20. Students can register at their local high school. Every year, more than 3.5 million students – mostly high school juniors and sophomores – take the PSAT.

For additional info on the PSAT, students can like Kaplan Test Prep at www.Facebook.com/KaplanSAT and follow on Twitter at @KaplanSATACT.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) 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 as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.

About Testive

Testive (www.testive.com) builds faster, better tests. Founded by MIT graduates, the company uses adaptive algorithms to create assessment experiences that provide more data back to test takers with fewer questions than traditional tests. Based in Cambridge Massachusetts, Testive is currently a member of TechStars – Boston technology accelerator program.

*PSAT/NMSQT® is a trademark jointly owned by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which were not involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this product.

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