Correll to Use His Winnings to Pay Off Student Loans,
Finance Graduate School, and Buy a Bicycle

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

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (February 14, 2013) –Justin Correll, a student at the University of Florida’s college of engineering and native of Jacksonville, is the winner of Kaplan Test Prep’s annual Where Will You Take You $25,000 Sweepstakes.  Kaplan created this national sweeps about 10 years ago to offer college students and young professionals – many of whom aspire to enroll in graduate, business, law or medical school – a chance to start their own business, pay off student loans or pay tuition to earn that higher degree.  Justin’s name was selected at random out of thousands of entries from across the United States and Canada.

It’s been a long, but worthwhile road for Justin to get to this point in his career.  After graduating high school, Justin enrolled in college, only to quit after one semester to enroll in a trade school instead. After receiving his electrician’s license and working a few years, Justin came to realize the importance of a college degree in meeting his professional goal of becoming an engineer, so he enrolled at Florida State College, a community college in Jacksonville.  He then moved to Gainesville in spring 2012 with his wife, where he enrolled at the University of Florida that summer to study engineering.  Enter Kaplan.

Justin explained that a Kaplan rep had been handing out sweepstakes forms around campus. He eagerly signed up – though the friends he was with didn’t. “They thought nobody ever wins these kinds of things,” Justin laughed.  And oh, how they were wrong.  A couple of months later, while Justin was sitting on a campus bench mentally preparing for a phone interview for a potential summer internship, his phone rang.  Not recognizing the New York area code, but thinking it could be another internship possibility (he applied to several), he picked up and got the exciting news that he won Kaplan Test Prep’s Where Will You Take You $25,000 Sweepstakes…which he says he completely forgot he even entered.

“Winning this money gives me the freedom to fully pursue my career and education goals without worrying as much about how much it will all cost. My options are so much broader now. It has really changed my life,” said Justin who is financing his BA through Pell grants and loans. “I want to pursue a master’s in engineering to secure a job in which I’ll be working on something innovative.  I want to come up with new ideas about how to better use technology and energy.  I want to be driving these ideas.”  Justin says he is particularly passionate about renewable energy.

Justin plans to take the GRE, the graduate school admissions exam required by most programs, and enroll in a top program in 2015, the year he graduates from the University of Florida.

As for what he’ll do with the $25,000, Justin says, “I plan to use most of it to pay off student loans and bills, but the first thing I am going to buy is a nice bicycle.”  Ever the energy conservationist, Justin says, “Soon I can just finish class and hop on my bike to go home.  No more bus.“

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.

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Available for Interview: College Financial Aid Expert

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

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (January 17, 2013) – For two million-plus college applicants and millions of current college students, how to afford tuition is always top-of-mind, particularly in an economy where many household incomes have remained stagnant.  Competition for much-coveted financial aid remains as fierce as the admissions process itself. Below are three key tips in the race for money – which unofficially kicked off January 1 with the opening of FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – with advice on how to successfully navigate the financial aid frenzy:

• Tip #1: Apply for FAFSA, and apply early.  Many students neglect to apply for FAFSA money because they assume their parents earn too much. Wrong approach.  Billions of dollars from FAFSA – which includes everything from Pell Grants, to work-study opportunities, to Federal Stafford Loans, and more – are awarded to millions of students of all economic backgrounds.  While it is needs-based and lower income students may benefit the most, students from varying financial situations can receive aid.  FAFSA can be completed online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Submitting a FAFSA doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get college financial aid, but not submitting one guarantees you won’t.  You have nothing to lose and the potential to gain.  And since FAFSA is a first come, first serve source, the sooner you apply, the better.
• Tip #2: Treat the hunt for scholarship money like a part-time job.  Many students miss out on scholarship opportunities because they simply don’t apply or invest enough quality time looking for available money. You don’t necessarily have to be a 4.0 student or have achieved a perfect 2400 on the SAT or 36 on the ACT – though that certainly helps! College and scholarship help site Cappex.com estimates that there is $11 billion in merit aid from colleges.  And according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, students’ scores on the SAT and ACT are leading factors in securing merit aid.  There are also thousands of niche scholarships available for those who aren’t necessarily at the head of the class: left-handed students; individuals with the surname Gatlin; women who are over 5’10″; anybody under 4’10”; and duck callers – they all go to college too! Visit your school’s guidance office and sites like www.findaid.com to see what’s out there. You can even start banking scholarship money as early as freshman year. The more money you have by the time acceptance letters come, the more options you’ll have since your ability to pay will be less of an issue.
• Tip #3: Don’t view a financial aid offer as a final offer. If your dream school offers you a financial aid package but it’s not enough, negotiate.  Unlike FAFSA offers, which are non-negotiable, financial aid packages awarded directly by colleges can be considered first offers, not final offers.  Since they’ve already accepted you, they more than likely will work with you. Respectfully tell the college why you are a “must have” student or how your family’s financial situation may have changed to warrant more aid.  The worst they can say is no.

“You cannot think about college today without thinking about how to pay for it.  With college tuition continuing to rise, it’s more important than ever for students and their parents to be savvy consumers and act strategically to increase their chances of securing strong financial aid packages,” said Jieun Choe, executive director of college admissions and K-12 programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “While many students may find it necessary to take out loans to pay for college, it’s always preferable to secure scholarships instead, which unlike loans, do not have to be paid back. It will be enormously more beneficial for students to graduate college owing as little money as possible, especially when loans carrying interest add to the full cost of tuition.”

Facts about college costs:

• In 2012-13, average published tuition and fees for public four-year colleges and universities for in-state students is $8,655 – up from $8,256 in 2011-2012.  For full-time out-of-state students, the cost is $21,706, up from $20,823 the previous academic year.
• At private, nonprofit four-year colleges and universities, average published tuition and fees for 2012-2013 stand at $29,056, up from $27,883 the previous academic year.
• For the current academic year, full‑time undergraduates at public four year institutions receive an estimated average of $5,750 in financial aid.  At private, nonprofit institutions, the average is $15,680.

For more information or to arrange an interview on the college financial aid process, please contact Russell Schaffer at: 212.453.7538 or russell.schaffer@kaplan.com.  Students and their parents can find additional information and strategies on the college financial aid process at:  http://www.kaptest.com/College/Home/college-admissions-zone-financial-aid.html

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.

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

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (December 13, 2012) – Kaplan Test Prep’s 2012 survey of business school admissions officers* shows that 69% of business schools now give applicants the option of submitting scores from the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) rather than the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), the traditional exam required for MBA admissions.  Thanks in large part to campaigning by the GRE test administrator, this percentage has steadily increased year-over-year since Kaplan first began tracking the issue in 2009, when only 24% of business schools said they accepted the GRE.

But while more MBA programs are offering the GRE alternative to prospective students, few applicants are taking the option. Roughly half of the business schools surveyed (46%) say fewer than 1 in 10 applicants submitted a GRE score this past admissions cycle.  Data supports applicants’ wariness – while the majority of business schools (69%) say scores from both tests are viewed equally, 29% say that applicants who submit a GMAT score have an advantage over applicants who submit a GRE score.

In the business school admissions test arms race, increasing acceptance of the GRE may have hit a plateau, however.  Of the 31% of business schools that remain GMAT-only, only 17% say they are likely to begin accepting the GRE for the next admissions cycle.  Integrated Reasoning, the new GMAT section added in June 2012, may be a possible roadblock for its competitor: 24% of GMAT-only schools say the change, designed to make the GMAT more reflective of the MBA experience, makes it less likely they’ll begin accepting the GRE.

“As long as business schools signal the slightest advantage in taking the GMAT, it’s hard to see more applicants going the GRE route,” said Andrew Mitchell, director of pre-business programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “Our advice to students: take the GMAT if you plan to apply only to business school, but if you’re unsure whether your path will take you to graduate school or business school, consider taking the GRE.”

A PDF version of the entire survey can be viewed and downloaded at:

http://www.kaptest.com/pdf_files/2012-B-School-Admissions-Officers-Survey.pdf

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s 2012 survey of business school admissions officers or to schedule an interview with a business school admissions expert, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

* For the 2012 survey, 265 business school admissions officers – including 17 from the nation’s top 25 MBA programs, as designated by U.S. News & World Report – were polled by telephone between August and September 2012.

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.

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First-Place Winner to Receive $1,000 and a $1,000 Donation Made in Their Name to WFP; Second-Place Winner to Receive $500 and a $500 Donation Made in Their Name to WFP

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

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (November 28, 2012) – Building on its relationship with Freerice.com, a non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) that challenges people to test their smarts with fun trivia questions while making a difference in the fight against hunger, Kaplan Test Prep has launched its “Score Against Hunger” contest. Whichever student correctly answers the most questions, on topics ranging from math to literature, between November 19 and December 19, will receive $1,000; additionally, Kaplan will make a $1,000 donation in the winner’s name to WFP.  The second-place winner will receive $500 and Kaplan will make a $500 donation on her behalf to WFP.

With each question that students answer correctly, 10 grains of rice are donated to WFP to feed hungry people around the world.  Earlier this year, Kaplan provided Freerice with 500 SAT questions; the questions in the contest will include questions from a variety of subjects to help students start preparing for college.

“Kaplan Test Prep is excited about its continuing work with the U.N. World Food Programme.  We hope that as this holiday season begins, students will join us by participating in ‘Score Against Hunger’ and be part of our efforts to combat world hunger and promote education and college readiness in the process,” said Jieun Choe, executive director of college admissions and K-12 programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “From our experience, we know that today’s young people are looking for a way to give back and this contest provides them with a worthwhile opportunity.”

Since its creation in 2007, Freerice players have donated over 100 billion grains of rice, enough to feed five million people for a day. Often WFP is able to purchase the rice locally, cutting down on the time it takes to provide life-saving food to the hungry while also supporting local economies.

To compete in the contest, students should visit www.kaptest.com/freerice.

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.

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Panel Discussions, Q&A to Offer Admissions Insights to Students Based
on Proprietary Kaplan Survey Research

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

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (November 21, 2012) – Kaplan Test Prep will hold its First Annual Admissions Officers Survey Debrief live online series of events for prospective graduate school, business school, law school and medical school students Tuesday, November 27 and Wednesday, November 28, 2012.  The series will feature panels of admissions experts who will answer students’ questions, provide insights on the admissions process, and discuss results from Kaplan’s 2012 Graduate, Business, Law and Medical School Admissions Officers Survey Series.  Results from Kaplan’s annual admissions officers surveys, launched in 2004, are widely covered in the media and offer proprietary insights into a wide range of admissions-related issues, from the role of social media to the impact of changing admissions tests.

Following is the series agenda:

• Business School Admissions Officer Survey Debrief: Tuesday, November 27, 6:30 PM EST. Among the discussion topics: what admissions officers think of the GMAT’s newly launched Integrated Reasoning (IR) section, GRE vs GMAT in B-school admissions. For survey highlights, go to:  http://www.kaptest.com/pdf_files/2012-B-School-Admissions-Officers-Survey.pdf
• Law School Admissions Officer Survey Debrief: Tuesday, November 27, 8:30 PM, EST. Among the discussion topics: how law schools are responding to the challenging job market for lawyers; its impact on law school curriculum; availability of financial aid.  For survey highlights, go to: http://press.kaptest.com/press-releases/kaplan-test-prep-survey-facing-a-tough-employment-landscape-for-new-lawyers-law-schools-cut-the-size-of-their-entering-classes-and-revise-curriculum-to-adapt-to-evolving-market
• Graduate School Admissions Officer Survey Debrief: Wednesday, November 28, 6:30 PM, EST. Among the discussion topics: what admissions officers think of the revamped GRE; this year’s competitive landscape compared to previous years.  Graduate admissions officers’ survey results to be released at this time.
• Medical School Admissions Officer Survey Debrief: Wednesday, November 28, 8:30 PM. Among the discussion topics: what admissions officers think of the upcoming changes to the MCAT; how these changes will impact pre-med students; how students should prepare for them. Experts will discuss how to put together a powerful, stand-out application.  For survey highlights, go to: http://press.kaptest.com/press-releases/kaplan-test-prep-survey-medical-schools-think-the-new-2015-mcat-will-be-good-medicine-for-shaping-tomorrows-doctors-but-many-also-think-learning-all-its-additional-content-will-be-a-tough-p

To register for Kaplan’s admissions events, visit: http://bit.ly/WY7Vz1

All events will be held in Kaplan Test Prep’s live, online Classroom Anywhere format, launched in 2008.  Kaplan Test Prep has served tens of thousands of students through this real-time interactive, expert-led, engaging online format.

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.

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Fewer Law School Seats Has Silver Lining for Strong Applicants:
Many Law Schools Increase Merit-Based Financial Aid

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

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (November 19, 2012) – Responding to the reality that the toughest job market for new lawyers in 20 years may be the new normal for the foreseeable future, law schools are taking unprecedented steps to course correct.  According to Kaplan Test Prep’s 2012 survey of law school admissions officers*, 51% of law schools have cut the size of the entering class; 63% said the reason was the contraction of the job market in the legal industry.  And more cuts may be on the way; of the law schools that have not cut the size of their entering classes, 28% say they will likely do so for the current application cycle.

The Kaplan survey also finds that 68% of law schools have already revamped their curriculum to make their students more “practice ready”; 5% say they’ve decided to so, but haven’t implemented the changes yet; 9% say they are considering making curriculum changes; and 18% say they have no plans to make curriculum changes.  Among the curriculum changes some schools have made or are considering making: more clinical work opportunities and giving students more opportunities to specialize in a specific field, which can give them a competitive edge in a field that values specialization.

“With the supply of new lawyers outpacing the available number of positions for new lawyers, this is the most critical time for legal education in decades.  Our survey shows that law schools are taking much-needed action to better prepare new lawyers for the changing job landscape, while at the same time accepting fewer students, as they know jobs will not be easy to come by, “ said Jeff Thomas, director of pre-law programs, Kaplan Test Prep.

In some good news for applicants, Kaplan’s survey finds that compared to the 2011-2012 cycle, 47% of law schools have actually increased the amount of financial aid they have been able to provide students for the 2012-2013 cycle; 41% say they kept their level of financial aid at last year’s levels.

Thomas notes that law schools utilize financial aid as a tool to attract the best applicants to their institutions.  This means that despite the decline in applicants, the competition for fewer numbers of coveted seats with financial aid awards attached may actually increase.

“You can’t think about going to law school without thinking about how to pay for it.  The good news is that law schools still understand how important financial aid is for prospective students,” Thomas added.  “It’s important to keep in mind that financial aid from law schools is almost always merit-based, not needs-based, so assembling a stellar application that includes a high LSAT score,  strong GPA, well-written personal statement and compelling letters of recommendation is incredibly important.  Now more than ever, being a highly competitive applicant may earn you great rewards.”

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s 2012 survey of law school admissions officers, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

Kaplan will discuss more results from its 2012 survey of law schools with admissions officers from top law schools during a live, online event on Tuesday, November 27 at 8:30 PM EST.  To register, visit http://blog.kaplanlsat.com/the-180-live.

* For the 2012 survey, admissions officers from 123 of the 202 American Bar Association-accredited law schools – including 15 from the nation’s top 25 programs, as designated by U.S. News & World Report – were polled by telephone between August and September 2012.

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.

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7 Detroit-area high schools to participate in Kaplan’s college admissions prep program

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

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (November 6, 2012) – Kaplan K12 Learning Services has partnered with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to help prepare over 4,000 students in seven Detroit–area high schools for the ACT exam and college admissions process.

These “turnaround schools,” where significant investment is being made to increase graduation rates and college attendance, are part of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Turnaround Initiative and include:

• Central Collegiate Academy, Detroit
• East Detroit High School, East Pointe
• Hamtramck High School, Hamtramck
• Harper Woods High School, Harper Woods
• Lincoln Senior High School, Van Dyke-Warren
• Madison High School, Madison Heights
• Melvindale High School, Melvindale

“Through this partnership with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, we will provide access to high-quality college readiness programs to open more doors and opportunities for students across the Detroit area,” said Kathy Nordmeyer, executive director of Kaplan K12 Learning Services. “We share a common mission of improving the success of underserved students, which is fundamental to our nation’s economic and social success. We look forward to working closely with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan and the schools’ parents, teachers and administrations, as they prepare their students for college.”

Through the partnership, Kaplan will teach ACT classes to all juniors, and provide sophomores and juniors with access to ACT On Demand, the company’s award-winning interactive online program that students can access 24/7. Both programs offer personalized instruction, multiple practice tests and a host of materials to prepare students for the critical college admissions exam. Additionally, Kaplan will offer its College 101 workshop to parents of juniors where they can learn the key elements of the admissions process. The elements include the importance of standardized exams like the ACT and SAT, how to navigate the financial aid process, and how parents can help their children write compelling personal essays.  Kaplan will provide professional development workshops and ACT foundational coaching for 10th grade teachers at East Detroit High School.

“Improving ACT scores is a key priority in our schools as they prepare kids for college,” said Michael Tenbusch, vice president of educational preparedness at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “Our partnership with Kaplan K12 Learning Services has demonstrated that with a systemized approach and discipline, these scores can and do improve.”

About Kaplan K12 Learning Services

Kaplan K12 Learning Services (www.kaplank12.com), a unit of Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com), partners with schools to measurably propel student achievement and accelerate college readiness. Kaplan K12 offers state test readiness programs to help students meet and exceed state standards, and college preparation solutions that support students as they prepare for college entrance exams and the admissions process. Its solutions also provide teachers with robust Kaplan K12 resources and professional development support to impact achievement in their classrooms. Kaplan Test Prep is a division of Kaplan Inc. (www.kaplan.com), a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

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Kaplan Test Prep Provides Study Strategies for Those Extra Two Weeks Students Didn’t Expect…Or Even Want – Don’t Agonize, Organize!

Available for Interview: Kaplan Test Prep SAT Expert

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

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (November 2, 2012) – After months of diligent SAT prep and the test administration scheduled for Saturday, the bliss of a test-free-study-free life which Saturday afternoon offered had been burning on test-takers minds. Then came Hurricane Sandy.  This past week, we’ve all witnessed the storm’s devastating impact, and at Kaplan Test Prep, our thoughts are with all those who have been personally affected – many of whom include our own students, colleagues, friends and family.

As those impacted by the storm struggle with its aftermath, the last thing they need to worry about is being in SAT limbo – but with yesterday’s announcement by the College Board postponing Saturday’s SAT citywide, it’s the state in which 20,000 students in New York City alone find themselves.  For many who were prepared to put the test behind them on Saturday, the prospect of another two weeks of waiting may induce second-guessing panic and anxiety.

The following is some guidance and reassurance from the test prep experts on how SAT takers can leverage the next two weeks to hone their skills, improve their mental state and optimize performance for November test reschedule:

The Next Two Weeks:

• Take one more, full practice test. Yes, it’s the last thing you want to do but completing a full test will allow you to identify your growth areas and focus your studies over the next two weeks. Kaplan is offering a free practice test on November 3.
• Don’t overdo it.  Now that you know where to focus, set aside 1-2 hours per night to review in your growth areas. Cramming will only add to your stress!
• Establish a healthy sleep pattern with 6 – 8 hours per  night.  If you’ve been losing out on sleep, this is the perfect time to catch up and get back on track.
• Stay healthy. Wash your hands, avoid sick friends and stay out of inclement weather.  You don’t want a last minute illness to impact test day.

The Night Before:

• Pack your backpack or bag for Test Day the night before.
• Go to bed early, but not too much earlier than you usually do.  You want to fall asleep quickly, not spend hours tossing and turning.
• Eat a filling breakfast the morning of the test, but don’t stray too far from your usual routine.
• Be calm and confident.  You’re ready for this!

Above all, don’t stress! You’ve been prepping for months – you’re ready.  The next two weeks simply allow you a little more time to improve even more.  And since colleges have extended their application deadlines so that seniors taking the exam don’t miss out, that’s one less thing to be concerned about. For  more   information and resources visit http://www.kaptest.com/college.

*SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

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.

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

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (November 1, 2012) – According to Kaplan Test Prep’s 2012 survey of medical school admissions officers*, the vastly revamped MCAT set to launch in 2015 has the strong support of an important segment of the medical education community.  Nearly 9 out of 10 (87%) medical school admissions officers support the changes to the MCAT, while only 1% don’t support the changes; 12% aren’t sure.   Similarly, 74% of admissions officers say the 2015 MCAT will better prepare aspiring doctors for medical school; just 5% say it won’t; and 21% aren’t sure of what its effects will mean.

The Association of American Medical Colleges – the governing body of all accredited U.S. and accredited Canadian allopathic medical schools – formally approved major content changes to the MCAT earlier this year, and  includes the addition of behavioral and social sciences, advanced science concepts in biochemistry, and expanded critical thinking.  While the writing section will be eliminated in 2013, the additional content will make the 2015 MCAT over an hour longer than the current one – going from 5 ½ hours to about 7 hours.

But while medical school admissions officers think the 2015 MCAT will produce stronger medical students, many also believe the road to medical school may become more intense for pre-meds.  40% say that pre-meds’ course loads will increase because of the additional content they will have to learn as undergrads; 46% say their course loads will stay at their current levels; and 15% aren’t sure.  No admissions officers say pre-meds’ course loads will become easier.  Many pre-med programs have already revised their curricula or are in the process of doing so to ensure that students – particularly freshmen and sophomores – are prepared to tackle the exam’s new content come 2015.

“We agree with medical school admissions officers that the MCAT changes are needed and beneficial, as today’s medicine includes scientific advances that didn’t exist a generation ago, and doctors are increasingly serving a more diverse population,” said Amjed Saffarini, vice president of graduate programs, Kaplan Test Prep.  “The new exam content will not only be more difficult than the current one, but the road to get there will also be more challenging since pre-med students will need to learn significantly more material within the same amount of time – a potentially daunting, but achievable hurdle for this highly motivated group.”

Other key results from Kaplan’s 2012 survey of medical school admissions officers:

• MCAT’s Importance Increases:51% of medical school admissions officers say an applicant’s MCAT score is the most important admissions factor – up from 43% in 2011’s survey; an applicant’s undergraduate GPA placed second at 23%, followed by relevant experience at 14%; the interview at 6%, letters of recommendation at 4%; and personal statement at 3%.
• The Interview Process: 76% of medical schools say they use the traditional interview process – where applicants meet face-to-face with just a few officials for lengthier periods of time – down from 82% in Kaplan’s 2011 survey.  17% say they use the newer Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process, where applicants are interviewed and assessed by many officials for shorter periods of time – only 6% said they used this process in Kaplan’s 2011 survey.

In 2012, more than 45,000 aspiring doctors applied to medical school, a 3.1% increase over 2011.

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s 2012 survey of medical school admissions officers, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

* For the 2012 survey, 75 medical school admissions officers from the 141 Association of American Medical Colleges across the United States were polled by telephone between August and September 2012.

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.

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

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
Twitter: @KapTestNews

New York, NY (October 24, 2012) – As a new crop of business school applicants prepares to submit the first set of applications with GMAT scores that include the newly launched GMAT Integrated Reasoning section, Kaplan Test Prep’s 2012 survey of business school admissions officers* suggests that the opinion of business schools of the new GMAT section may have slipped – though it is too early to pass judgment on the new section. Among the major findings:

• In Kaplan’s 2012 survey, 41% said IR would make the GMAT more reflective of the business school experience, a big drop from the 59% who answered that way in Kaplan’s 2011 survey. Those who weren’t sure if IR would make the exam more reflective rose from 37% in 2011 to 49% in 2012.   Admissions officers who said IR would not make the exam more reflective increased from 5% in 2011 to 10% in 2012.
• Somewhat similarly, 54% “do not know” if Integrated Reasoning makes the GMAT more reflective of work in business and management after business school; 36% say it does; and 10% say it doesn’t.

There is still dominant uncertainty, however.  More than half of MBA programs are unsure of how important Integrated Reasoning (IR) scores will be in the evaluation process, with 54% responding “Undecided” to the question, “How important will a student’s Integrated Reasoning score be in your evaluation of their overall performance on the GMAT?” 22% say IR scores will be important, while 24% say IR scores will not be important.

“Schools generally prefer to gather performance data on a new test or test section before fully incorporating it into their evaluation process,” said Andrew Mitchell, director of pre-business programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “Not all applicants in 2012 will submit GMAT scores with an IR component. We can expect that, as more data is available, schools will determine clear policies, in which Integrated Reasoning may play a key role. In the meantime, GMAT test takers should not take GMAT Integrated Reasoning any less seriously than the Quantitative or Verbal sections.”

Mitchell notes that because test takers receive a separate score for the Integrated Reasoning section, poor performance can’t be masked by stronger performance on other sections of the test.

The four question types found in GMAT Integrated Reasoning – table analysis, graphics interpretation, multi-source reasoning and two-party analysis – feature scatter plots, sortable tables, and multi-tabbed data.  Such question types, introduced in the new section in June, 2012, are novel compared to the formats traditionally seen on graduate school-level admissions exams such as the GRE, LSAT and MCAT.

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s 2012 survey of business school admissions officers, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or  212.453.7538.

Kaplan will release more results from its 2012 survey of business school admissions officers in the coming weeks.

* For the 2012 survey, 265 business school admissions officers – including 17 from the nation’s top 25 MBA programs, as designated by U.S. News & World Report – were polled by telephone between August and September 2012.

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.

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