MBA Aspirants to Face New Question Types Such as Multi-Source Reasoning,
Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation 

Available for Interview: Kaplan Test Prep GMAT 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

New York, NY (October 20, 2011) – With the launch of the GMAT’s new Integrated Reasoning section less than eight months away, 67% of admissions officers have not yet seen sample questions from the new section provided by the test maker, according to a Kaplan Test Prep survey of 265 of the top MBA programs across the United States.*  Paradoxically, 59% believe that Integrated Reasoning, which adds four new question types to a test that only had five types previously on the Quantitative and Verbal sections combined, will make the GMAT  more reflective of the business school experience.

The four new question types measure test takers’ ability to organize, synthesize, and evaluate information from multiple sources and in different formats. The question types include:

• Table Analysis:  Test takers will be presented with a sortable table of information, similar to a spreadsheet, to be analyzed to find whether answer statements are accurate.
• Graphics Interpretation: Test takers will be asked to interpret a graph or graphical image, and select the option from a drop-down list to make response statements accurate.
• Multi-Source Reasoning: Questions are accompanied by two to three sources of information. Test takers must examine all the relevant information which may be a combination of text, charts, and tables to answer questions.
• Two-Part Analysis: A question will involve two components for a solution. Possible answers will be given in a table format with a column for each component and rows with possible options; test takers will be asked to consider the options provided.

“The new Integrated Reasoning section introduces question types that are unprecedented among major admissions tests,” said Andrew Mitchell, director of pre-business programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “To use a sports analogy, these question types test your ability to think like a coach rather than a player. The team you field and the plays you make depend on your analysis of a variety of factors, sources of information, and opinions. To continue the analogy, the coach must weigh and evaluate competitive factors, player strengths and weaknesses, team dynamics and a host of other issues that all impact each other.  Adding the Integrated Reasoning section is a good step in terms of reflecting higher-level analytical skills, but there’s no question that the new GMAT will be more challenging than the current one.”

Mitchell points out that doing well on the Integrated Reasoning section will be especially important because test takers receive a separate score for this section—poor performance on the new section can’t be masked by stronger performance on the rest of the test. The exam’s test length will remain at around 4 hours (including breaks), since the new section replaces one of the essays.

Below is a Kaplan-created sample question from the GMAT’s new Integrated Reasoning section, which could also be found and downloaded at: http://press.kaptest.com/gmatsamplequestion.

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s survey on the business school admissions landscape and the GMAT’s Integrated Reasoning section set to launch in June 2012, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

*The survey was conducted by phone in July and August 2011 and included responses from 265 of the nation’s top MBA programs, including 16 of the top 25 – as designated by U.S. News & World Report.  Kaplan Test Prep also annually conducts surveys of admissions officers at colleges, graduate schools, law schools and medical schools.

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

New York, NY (October 6, 2011) – Kaplan Test Prep’s SAT On Demand course has been recognized as the top high school “Test Tool Website” in ComputED’s 2011 Education Software Review Awards (EDDIE Awards).  The EDDIE Awards, now in its 16th year, recognize innovative programs and websites that augment classroom curriculum and improve teacher productivity, providing parents and teachers with the technology to foster educational excellence.  Winners are selected from around the world and judged on academic content, potential for broad classroom use, technical merit, subject approach and management system.

Kaplan’s comprehensive and interactive SAT On Demand course allows students to go at their own pace and on their own schedule with a personalized path through the curriculum, available 24/7.  It is powered by Kaplan’s exclusive Smart Track system, which analyzes student performance and prescribes a customized learning plan.  Kaplan’s SAT On Demand integrates focused content review, test-taking strategies, and the practice students need to achieve their target SAT® scores.  It includes: a custom study plan based on their diagnostic performance; two full-length SAT practice tests; over 50 hours of engaging video instruction on every tested topic on the SAT; step-by-step problem solving exercises; and 1,000+ practice problems.  The course also features Smart Reports™, which is essential in keeping both students and parents up-to-date on progress with performance reporting right down to the question level.

“We are incredibly appreciative of this recognition from the EDDIEs, as our goal is to provide students with the most effective test prep resources available,” said Justin Serrano, President of K-12 and College Prep, Kaplan Test Prep.  “What’s most important is that we are able to leverage advances in technology, a growing body of research on instructional best practices, and feedback from thousands of students and parents to create a course that enables students to achieve the scores they need to get into their top college choices.”

A record 1.65 million students from the class of 2011 took the SAT*.

In addition to SAT on Demand, Kaplan offers both PSAT On Demand and ACT On Demand, powered by the Smart Track System, to provide personalization for each student.  Kaplan also provides test prep in traditional classrooms, via live, online instruction in its Classroom Anywhere ™ environment, and tutoring.  Parents and students can choose the option that works best to fit their needs and schedules.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (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 professional licensing exams.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.

*SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. 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. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with Kaplan.

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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

New York, NY (October 04, 2011) – With teachers increasingly seeking support and clarity on how the Common Core State Standards will impact their classroom, Kaplan K12 Learning Services has launched an online toolkit with robust instructional and professional development resources to help them transition between what students learn now and future expectations.

Based in pedagogical best practices and aligned to state-specific and Common Core standards, Kaplan’s Teach!® Strategies & Resources is a Web-based platform with resources to support rigorous differentiated instruction, training and assessment. It includes:

•     Teaching resources: an online library of more than 3,000 lessons, assessments, and videos that educators can filter by grade (2-12), subject area, state-specific standards, and/or Common Core State Standards to find immediate actionable tools for classroom use
•     Professional development support: multimedia assets and hundreds of case studies, activities, and resources enabling educators to enhance instructional practice
•     Tracking: reporting tools that measure teacher, school and district usage, making it easy to view and monitor highly-rated resources and downloads

“As schools and districts shift from policy to practice with the Common Core State Standards, Teach! Strategies & Resources provides time-saving and practical tools based on research and differentiated instruction to improve teacher effectiveness,” said Justin Serrano, president, Kaplan K12 and College Prep. “This program is designed to provide lesson-planning resources and professional development assets to support teachers as they transition from what students need to do now on state-specific standards and what they’ll need to do in the future.”

Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of Academic Enrichment and Outreach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, leads programs to assist students and their families in overcoming challenges by providing comprehensive support services that increase their academic success in high school and college. “Schools and districts have to cope with budget constraints, but limited funding does not have to mean limited professional development,” Rogers stated. “It is critical to invest in our teachers to reduce the achievement gap so that students are set up for success. This program is an affordable and smart solution.”

Teach! Strategies and Resources is $1,900 for an annual school license for all teachers and $59 for an annual individual teacher license. For more information, please go to http://www.KaplanK12.com/Teach.

The Common Core Standards are an effort led by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association to define the knowledge and skills in English language arts and mathematics that students will need upon high school graduation. Forty-four states have adopted the Common Core State Standards and are turning their attention to the critical work of how and when to implement the new standards.

About Kaplan K12 Learning Services

Kaplan K12 Learning Services (http://www.kaplank12.com), a unit of Kaplan Test Prep (http://www.kaptest.com), partners with schools to measurably propel student achievement. 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. (http://www.kaplan.com), a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

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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

New York, NY (September 28, 2011) – Kaplan Test Prep, the world leader in test prep, has partnered with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to improve access to and quality of post-secondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students.

“By partnering with HACU, a champion for Hispanic success in higher education, we will provide access to quality prep programs that will open more doors and opportunities for students in Hispanic-Serving School Districts,” said Justin Serrano, President of Kaplan K12 and College Prep.  “We share a common mission of furthering Hispanic success in education, which is fundamental to our nation’s economic and social success.  We look forward to working closely with HACU school and district partners as they prepare their students for college.”

HACU represents more than 400 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in addition to K-12 Hispanic-Serving School Districts (HSSDs) across the country. Kaplan is a partner in HACU’s 25^th Annual Conference in October, “25 Years of Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success,” which will feature workshops and presentations covering more than 50 topics as well as a College and Career Fair sponsored, in-part, by Kaplan.  The HACU College and Career Fair is open to the public from 2-5 PM on Sunday, October 30.

“Providing tools for college-bound students to succeed is essential to increasing college-going and college graduation rates,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “As HACU celebrates its Silver Anniversary, we are pleased to count Kaplan among the supporters of HACU’s 25^th Annual Conference.”

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (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 professional licensing exams.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.

About HACU

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of 18 institutions. Today, HACU represents more than 400 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal.  HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).  This year, HACU celebrates its 25^th Anniversary and will host its annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, October 29 – 31.

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Kaplan Test Prep Survey Finds Growing Acceptance in the Practice
of Exploring Applicants’ Digital Trails

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

New York, NY (September 21, 2011) – According to Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of college admissions officers*, nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents from the schools surveyed have gone to an applicant’s Facebook or other social networking page to learn more about them, while 20% have Googled them.  When Kaplan first began tracking the issue in 2008, only 10% of schools reported checking applicants’ social networking pages.  In fact, survey responses indicate the prevalence of social media vetting is likely higher, since several respondents noted that while they had not personally visited an applicant’s page, other colleagues in their office had.

Of the admissions officers who did tap into these online tools to learn more about prospective students, 12% said that what they found negatively impacted the applicant’s admissions chances.  Offenses cited included essay plagiarism, vulgarities in blogs, alcohol consumption in photos and “illegal activities.”

“There’s definitely a growing acceptance by college admissions officers in the practice of checking applicants’ digital footprints, but for context, these checks are not routine and tend to happen because of a specific trigger in a particular situation, like an anonymous tip or a posting on an online forum,” said Jeff Olson, vice president of research, Kaplan Test Prep.  “That said, college applicants need to be particularly mindful of what they post, and may even want to search online to make sure their digital footprint is clean.”

More prevalent is the use of social media for outreach purposes.  Kaplan Test Prep’s survey also finds that Facebook and YouTube are increasingly important recruiting tools for colleges – 85% use Facebook (up from 82% in the 2010 survey) and 66% use YouTube (up from 52% in the 2010 survey) to vie for the interest of prospective students.

“The growing role of social media in the college admissions process poses potential pitfalls, but also many plusses for applicants,” said Olson.  “For example, a college’s official admissions page on Facebook allows it to reach prospective students in an environment in which teens are comfortable or expert.  They can take virtual campus tours, learn about academic programs and find out important admissions statistics like the average SAT or ACT scores for accepted students.”

Other key survey results from Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of college admissions officers:

• Biggest Application Killer: 53% of admissions officers said that a low high school GPA is the biggest application killer.  Placing second at 19% is a low SAT or ACT score.  Those who are not involved in everything from the Future Farmers of America to cheerleading and everything in between can take solace in that none said a lack of extracurricular activities is the biggest application killer.
• Are Applicants Dreaming Too Big?: While all applicants should have their “reach schools”  and nobody should apply to just “safety schools,” 4% of admissions officer s said that more than 5 in 10 students “overreached” in applying to their school; 5% said 5 in 10 applicants overreached; 8% said 4 in 10 applicants.  
• When in Doubt, Don’t Wait:  42% of college admissions officers said that the best way for applicants to get off the waitlist and into the entering class is by showing that they  improved their  GPA the second half of senior year.  That means they should get their senioritis vaccinations now!  It can make a big difference in how students’ college plans turn out.
• All Dogs Go to College?: Not yet. While 38% of admissions officers said their school has housing where pets are permitted, only 10% of that group said that dogs were welcome.  Cat lovers won’t be happy either – only 8% allow cats.  25% allow reptiles.  Fish are permitted by 99% of schools.

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of college admissions officers, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

*The survey was conducted by phone in July and August 2011 as part of Kaplan Test Prep’s annual survey of admissions officers and includes responses from 359 of the nation’s top 500 colleges and universities, as compiled from U.S. News & World Report’s Ultimate College Guide and Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges.  Among the colleges that participated were 38 of the top 50.  The wording of some questions changed slightly from year to year.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (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 professional licensing exams.  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

Also: SAT Scores Decline While Average High School GPA Rises  

Available for interview: Kaplan Test Prep SAT and College Admissions Expert

New York, NY (September 14, 2011) – As today’s report from the College Board shows SAT scores are declining among college-bound high school students, Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of college admissions officers* reports that 94% of college admissions officers are confident in the exam’s ability to measure students’ future success in college.  96% of admissions officers expressed confidence in the ACT’s ability to measure students’ future success in college, although national ACT scores, which were released last month, stayed essentially flat. (Full results of Kaplan’s annual survey will be released later this month.)

“While we shouldn’t read too much into year-to-year variation in scores, it’s interesting to note more broadly that standardized test scores are declining even as the average high school GPA continues to rise,” said Jeff Olson, vice president of research, Kaplan Test Prep.  A 2009 study by a professor at George Mason University reported that nationwide, the average high school GPA rose from 3.28 to 3.49 between 1995-2007, a rise of 6.4 percent or 0.5 percent a year.  Since 2006, SAT scores have generally declined or remained stagnant.

Olson added, “This is particularly noteworthy since standardized test scores, in combination with high school GPA, are considered the best measure of success in college – and our survey data shows that college admissions officers are confident in the predictive ability of the SAT and ACT.”

Kaplan Test Prep’s survey also found that of the nearly 90% of colleges surveyed that require applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score, none reported plans to drop the requirement.

To schedule an interview about Kaplan Test Prep’s survey findings and what they mean for students and their families going through the college admissions process, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or212.453.7538.

*Kaplan Test Prep’s annual survey of college admissions officers was conducted by phone in July and August 2011, and includes responses from 359 of the top 500 colleges as compiled by U.S. News & World Report’s Ultimate College Guide and Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (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 professional licensing exams.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.

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Also: Some Admissions Officers Follow Applicants’ Digital Trails to Dig Up More Info

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

New York, NY (September 12, 2011) – For the first time since Kaplan Test Prep began tracking the issue in 2009, a majority (52%) of top business schools say that applicants now have the option to submit a score from the GRE instead of the GMAT.  Additionally, 34% of business schools that are still GMAT-only say they are likely to accept the GRE for the 2012 or 2013 admissions cycle. Traditionally, the GRE has been used only for admissions to non-MBA graduate level programs, while the GMAT was the admissions exam of record required by business schools.

“What’s interesting about this trend is that GMAT test takers typically have a few years of work experience under their belts, while it’s more common for undergrads to take the GRE, so in accepting the GRE, business schools are registering to college students that they can start thinking about an MBA education earlier in the process,” said Andrew Mitchell, director of pre-business programs, Kaplan Test Prep.  “In fact, some business schools specifically reach out to undergrads at their affiliated colleges with programs to make it simpler for them to apply and enroll. This widening of the ‘boardroom door’ into business school creates options for undergrads who know that they want to pursue a higher degree, but are undecided as to whether it will be a master’s or an MBA.”

Mitchell predicts that the recent changes to the GRE, which have made it more challenging, are likely to convince even more MBA programs to consider accepting it in the future.  Meanwhile, the GMAT will soon experience its own significant changes by implementing the Integrated Reasoning section, introducing complex new question types designed to test the critical thinking and analytics demanded of students in business school.

Other results from Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of business school admissions officers:

• Facebook and Google are Fair Game: 27% of admissions officers said they have Googled an applicant to learn more about them; 22% said they have visited an applicant’s Facebook or other social networking page for the same purpose.
• Your Digital Trail Can Lead to Rejection: 14% of admissions officer who did online research said they have discovered something about a prospective student that negatively impacted their business school application.
• Business School Admissions Urban Legend, Busted: Contrary to the belief held by many aspiring MBAs still in college, business schools report that an applicant’s lack of work experience is not the biggest application killer – it’s actually a low admissions exam score (58%), followed by a low undergraduate GPA (24%) and then lack of relevant work experience at 12%.
• Financial Aid Still Available: 36% of business schools said that compared to the previous admissions cycle, the amount of financial aid they were able to provide students increased; 47% reported the amount stayed the same; only 17% said the amount decreased.

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s survey on the business school admissions landscape and advice from a Kaplan expert on how college students can put together a strong business school application, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538. 

*The survey was conducted by phone in July and August 2011 and includes responses from 265 of the nation’s top MBA programs, including 16 of the top 25 – as designated by U.S. News & World Report.  Kaplan Test Prep also annually conducts surveys of admissions officers at colleges, graduate schools, law schools and medical schools.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (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 professional licensing exams.  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

New York, NY (August 1, 2011) – Even as the new GRE launches today, a new Kaplan Test Prep survey* of top graduate programs finds that nearly a third of top graduate schools (30%) feel inadequately informed about the new test – translating to some ambiguity about comparative score evaluation. While the vast majority (83%) will give equal consideration to applicants regardless of whether they submit GRE scores from the old test or the new one, a remaining 12% say applicants who submit a score from the old exam (valid for five years) have an admissions advantage, while 5% say applicants who submit a score from the new GRE have an advantage.  The GRE is taken by approximately 700,000 aspiring graduate school students annually.

“Given that the new GRE is now first-time test takers’ only option, graduate programs will likely work diligently to better understand the new exam and how it can help them evaluate applicants,” said Liza Weale, executive director of pre-business and pre-graduate programs, Kaplan Test Prep.  “Future GRE takers, graduate schools and we here at Kaplan will be keen to hear from those taking the exam this month to learn about their experiences.”

Among the exam’s changes, the biggest in its 60+ year history:

• The new exam is about an hour longer than the old exam – 4 hours compared to 3 hours.
• The new GRE’s format is adaptive at the section level: the better a test taker performs in one section, the more difficult the next section will be.  This new format also now allows test takers to skip questions within a section and come back to them.
• The new scoring scale of 130 to 170 points, in one-point increments, replaces a 200 to 800 point scoring scale, in ten-point increments.
• The Verbal section does not include antonym and analogy questions, but instead includes in-context questions that test reasoning skills, in addition to vocabulary.
• The new exam contains content similar to that on the GMAT – the primary admissions exam for business schools – like new strengthen/weaken reading comprehension question types.  In recent years, the test maker has had success in convincing more MBA programs to accept the GRE.

“While test takers will find some of the new GRE’s features to be plusses, overall Kaplan Test Prep believes the exam’s more complex question types and increase in length will make it more challenging,”  added  Weale.  “While most test takers will find the new GRE more difficult than the old one, they can still achieve a high score if they prepare thoroughly for it.  Applicants should also keep in mind that a strong GRE score is not only one of the most important admissions factors, but also an important tool in securing a strong financial aid package. “

Other survey results from Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of graduate school admissions officers:

• Showing Students the Money: 68% of admissions officers said that compared to last year, the amount of financial aid they were able to provide students increased.
• Not Looking for Friends: 65% of admissions officers said it’s inappropriate for applicants to reach out to them using social media mediums like Facebook.
• What You Post Can Hurt You: 29% of admissions officers permitted to visit applicants’ social networking pages, have discovered something that made them reject the applicant.
• Applicants Know the Importance of Being Earnest:  Only 6% of admissions officers said it’s common for them to discover that an applicant has been dishonest on his or her application.

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of graduate school admissions officers and the new GRE, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.  For a host of resources for journalists, please visit Kaplan’s online pressroom at http://press.kaptest.com and follow on Twitter: @KapTestNews

*The 2011 survey was conducted by phone in May 2011 of 123 of the top 200 graduate programs – as designated by U.S. News & World Report – in education, engineering, psychology and public administration.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (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 professional licensing exams.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.

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Attendees Will Have Opportunity to Network Face-to-Face with Admissions Officers from
Top MBA Programs and Learn Key Strategies to Get In

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

New York, NY (July 29, 2011) – Thousands of professionals and students  across the United States and England looking to kick-start the business school application process will get insider advice and learn about dozens of top MBA programs – including Cornell University (Johnson), Chicago Booth, Dartmouth (Tuck), Duke (Fuqua), NYU (Stern), Northwestern (Kellogg), University of North Carolina ( Kenan-Flagler) and Yale School of Management – directly from admissions officers  at Kaplan Test Prep’s free 11-city stop “Road to Business School.”  “Road to Business School” will also include two live, online events – one workshop on “How to Impress a Business School” and one live panel with admissions officers from top schools – where attendees can participate from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Each stop on “Road to Business School” will include a strategy workshop on the GMAT – the primary admissions exam that business schools use to evaluate applicants – and an admissions strategy session, where attendees can learn how to put together the strongest, most compelling application possible.  Attendees can also sit in on a panel discussion with admissions officers to learn more about the components of the application.   One of the most popular parts of “Road to Business School” is the open tabling session with over 30 different top schools participating in each city, giving attendees a chance to ask specific questions about a given program.   The last portion of each event’s program will include a happy hour reception, where attendees can socialize and speak individually with business school admissions officials.

“With administrations of the GMAT at continued high levels, admissions competition still fierce at top MBA programs, and the MBA job market improving, those in attendance will gain invaluable strategies about how to get into business school and move their careers forward,” said Liza Weale, executive director of pre-business and pre-graduate programs, Kaplan Test Prep.

Following is the scheduled list of events that are part of the 2011 “Road to Business School” series:

• Live, Online: How to Impress a Business School: Sunday, July 31 – 5:00PM – 6:30PM EST
• London: Thursday, August 4 – 6:00PM – 9:30PM
• Atlanta: Saturday, August 6 –  1:00PM – 4:30PM
• Dallas: Sunday, August 7 – 1:00PM – 4:30PM
• Chicago: Tuesday, August 9 – 6:00PM – 9:30PM
• Seattle: Thursday, August 11 – 6:00 PM – 9:30PM
• San Francisco: Saturday, August 13 – 1:00PM – 4:30PM
• Los Angeles: Sunday, August 14 – 1:00PM – 4:30PM
• Boston: Tuesday, August 16 – 6:00PM – 9:30PM
• Washington, DC: Thursday, August 18 – 6:00PM – 9:30PM
• New York: Saturday, August 20  –  1:00PM – 4:30PM
• Live, Online: Admissions Panel with Top B-Schools, Sunday, August 21 – 1:00PM-2:30PM EST
• Philadelphia: Tuesday, August 23 – 6:00PM-9:30PM

Those interested in attending any of the events should visit www.kaplangmat.com/roadtobschool to register.  For media, each city event will also provide a good opportunity to speak with attendees about their career successes, challenges and goals and take B-roll footage.  To cover an event in person,

please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

For a host of resources for journalists, please visit Kaplan’s online pressroom at http://press.kaptest.com and follow on Twitter: @KapTestNews

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (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 professional licensing exams.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.

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Live, Interactive Mock Admissions Event Will Give Pre-Law Students Firsthand Look at Process and Feature Admissions Officers from Four of the Nation’s Top Ranked Law School Programs

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

New York, NY (July 26, 2011) – For the first time, prospective law school applicants will have an opportunity to see what really goes on behind the scenes of a law school admissions committee meeting at Kaplan Test Prep’s live, online “Who Gets In? You Be the Judge: A Mock Admissions Event.”   On Monday, August 1 at 8:00 PM EST, admissions officers from the University of Michigan Law School, University of Virginia School of Law, UCLA School of Law and George Washington University Law School will review, discuss and analyze “applicants’’’ LSAT scores, undergraduate transcripts, personal statements, diversity statements, letters of recommendation, resumes and work experience, academic misconducts, criminal records, application addenda and more to show attendees exactly how they arrive at their ultimate decisions.  Throughout the event, attendees will have the unique opportunity to interact directly with the admissions officers, ask questions and weigh in with their own opinions on panelists’ deliberations and verdicts.

“This first of its kind event will demystify the law school admissions process like never before with an exclusive look into how the actual decision makers arrive at their final judgments about applicants,” said Jeff Thomas, director of pre-law programs, Kaplan Test Prep.  “We already know that an applicant’s LSAT score is by far the most important admissions factor, but this event will give attendees a thorough, holistic view of exactly what top ranked law schools are looking for in an entering class.  What they learn may alter their own admissions strategies and make a difference in their chances of getting in, so it’s a must-attend event.”

“I am very pleased that Kaplan is hosting this online forum that will allow us to reach a larger audience and help a greater number of aspiring lawyers better understand the admissions process,” said Anne M. Richard, senior assistant dean for admissions, University of Virginia School of Law.  “Admissions decisions are made by professionals who are doing their best to admit applicants they believe have the greatest chance of succeeding at their institutions and making valuable contributions to the legal profession.”

To register for the “Who Gets In? You Be the Judge: A Mock Admissions Event,” students can visit www.kaplanlsat.com/mockadmissions. For journalists who want to cover the event, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (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 professional licensing exams.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.  For a host of resources for journalists, please visit Kaplan’s online pressroom at http://press.kaptest.com and follow on Twitter: @KapTestNews

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