U.S. News University Directory: “Report: Many SAT Takers Unprepared for College- Level Work”
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)
Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Twitter: @KapTestNews
New York, NY (September 27, 2013) – Kaplan Publishing, a leading publisher of academic and professional development resources, has partnered with Kno, a leading education software provider, to bring e-books to medical school students and doctors studying for the United States Medical Licensing Examination. The USMLE, divided into Steps 1, 2 and 3, is taken by tens of thousands of aspiring doctors annually as a requirement to practice medicine in the United States.
The titles included for the Kaplan/Kno partnership are MedEssentials, USMLE Step 1 Microbiology/Immunology, USMLE Step 1 Pharmacology, USMLE Step 2 Internal Medicine, and USMLE Step 2 Surgery.
A recent survey of Kaplan students showed that 97% report owning a tablet device, electronic reader or smartphone. In the survey, students noted the value of portability from print to digital and across devices, accessibility and offline access in their e-books. Noted one student, “It’s nice to have all these books on one small device,” while another observed, “Constant access is useful.” The Kno eTextbooks enable students to carry all their reading on a single device, access their textbooks across many platforms and devices, and conduct their reading offline and on-the-go.
Yet despite students’ overwhelming adoption of smartphones and tablet devices, many still prefer to have the option of reading their books in the traditional print format — with the majority of students surveyed indicating the desire for both options.
“In an age of Wikipedia and Google, where an overwhelming amount of information is readily available, the key is not just in the right information, but in how it’s delivered. Students want choice in how they prepare for important exams like the USMLE,” said Maureen McMahon, president and publisher, Kaplan Publishing. “Students would ideally prefer to move seamlessly between print and digital formats. It’s important that we help students study in the formats that best meet their preferences and fall within their comfort zones.”
McMahon notes that Kaplan is using digital content throughout all the major exams the company prepares test takers for, including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, SAT and ACT, to improve student outcomes. “For example, search makes it easier for students to quickly find the content they need to study; and portability and offline access means students can squeeze in more study time without searching for WiFi access,” McMahon said. “Many of Kno’s annotation features allow students to port over their existing study habits from print to digital formats.”
In the months to come, Kaplan will be rolling out more e-study advancements to help students better prepare for exams in the ways that best meet their study habits and lifestyle needs.
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 Kno
Kno, Inc. is an education software company on a mission to “Change The Way Students Learn.” We believe engagement is a leading indicator of learning success and grades are a lagging indicator. So we have partnered with over 80 leading publishers to offer more than 200,000 interactive titles that make learning more engaging, efficient, and social for students. They are the same books, only smarter. Each Kno eTextbook is packed with interactive features, assessments, and social sharing tools to engage students at the point of learning. And the Kno platform provides administrators and teachers with the tools they need to easily assign, manage, and monitor their digital learning content and assessments at an enterprise level. For more information, go to www.kno.com, or follow Kno at http://facebook.com/GoodtoKno and http://twitter.com/GoodtoKNO.
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Also: With the SAT Set for a 2015 Overhaul, Kaplan Survey Finds College Admissions Officers Recommend These Changes: Greater Sensitivity to Diverse Backgrounds, Revamping Writing Section, Better Alignment with High School Curriculum
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)
Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Twitter: @KapTestNews, @KaplanSATACT
New York, NY (September 26, 2013) – Mark Freidberg, Vice President and General Manager of Pre-College programs at Kaplan Test Prep, offered the following statement on today’s SAT scores report and accompanying Report on College and Career Readiness released by the College Board:
“Stagnant scores are less cause for concern than the broader issue raised, which is college readiness. But this is a complex landscape, and college readiness means different things to different audiences. College admissions officers do look at test scores, but they recognize it’s an incomplete picture. Guidance counselors are focused on educating parents and students on the college admissions process and options. Parents and students are very concerned with the cost associated with going to college — and ultimately, employability. It’s important in the discussion of college readiness not to lose sight of the broader picture.”
The SAT scores report comes on the heels of a just-released Kaplan Test Prep survey* of 422 colleges and universities across the country showing that 72% of admissions officers agree that “the SAT should be changed.” Though the SAT maker hasn’t provided many specifics about the planned changes, the announced intent is to better align the exam with what students learn. College admissions officers surveyed offered an array of opinions on what needs to be changed about the SAT, most notably: being more sensitive to perceived socioeconomic and cultural biases; revamping, making optional or even eliminating the Writing section; and making the SAT’s content more reflective of high school curriculum.
To speak with an SAT and college admissions expert at Kaplan Test Prep, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.
* For the 2013 survey, 422 admissions officers from the nation’s top national, liberal arts and regional colleges and universities – as compiled from U.S. News & World Report – were polled by telephone between July and August 2013. Among participating schools were 20 of the top 50 ranked ones:
http://press.kaptest.com/press-releases/kaplan-test-prep-survey-while-details-are-still-scarce-on-the-planned-2015-sat-overhaul-72-of-college-admissions-officers-agree-the-test-should-be-changed
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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