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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
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 (September 25, 2012) – 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.
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.
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New white paper gives practical tips and best practices for transforming teachers’ expectations of students and fostering a collaborative classroom where every individual feels supported.
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 (September 25, 2012) – Teachers have long been challenged in affording underperforming students the opportunity to achieve academically. One explanation for this challenge centers on the Teacher Expectancy Model. Kaplan K12 Learning Services’ new white paper, “Positively Impacting the Student-Teacher Relationship through Differentiated Instruction,” written by Erick E. Witherspoon, Ed. D., an adjunct professor at the University of Redlands and principal of W.J.C. Trapp Elementary School in Rialto, Calif., outlines how to overcome this challenge.
Under the Teacher Expectancy model, educators communicate high expectations to those deemed to be potential high achievers, and low expectations to those they see as potential low achievers. Being assigned to the latter category can be particularly damaging for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, but may have a negative impact on any child. Students who are treated consistently as “low achievers” often don’t form strong relationships with teachers and other school staff, may experience reinforcement of a negative academic self image, and can feel alienated and disengaged—conditions that often lead a student to drop out.
In the white paper, Dr. Witherspoon addresses best practices for remedying this situation. Teachers can:
Witherspoon also encourages the use of the Democratic Classroom model, which fosters a classroom culture that encourages students to learn and use critical problem-solving techniques, allows each child to contribute their best, and helps teachers to build relationships with students and earn their trust. This model is designed to lessen teacher communication of low expectations and engage all students, not just a select few.
“Because we are committed to helping every teacher and student succeed, our state assessment and college test readiness programs are grounded in this approach,” said Mark Freidberg, vice president and general manager of Kaplan K12 Learning Services. “We’ve developed Kaplan K12 Teach!® Strategies and Resources to provide effective differentiated instruction to students at varying levels. Our online teacher toolkit is equipped with more than 3,000 lessons, assessments and videos that educators can filter by grade, subject-area, state-specific or Common Core standards. Each lesson comes in three levels, ensuring that all students can feel capable and engaged.”
About Kaplan K12 Learning Services
Kaplan K12 Learning Services, LLC (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 teaching resources and professional development support to impact achievement in their classrooms. Kaplan was recently recognized by ComputED Gazette’s 2012 Best Educational Awards (BESSIEs) for its ACT On Demand course as the “Top High School Test Preparation Website” and for its Teach! Strategies and Resources as the top Curriculum Development program in the “Teacher Tools” category. 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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Available for Interview: Kaplan Test Prep College Admissions 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 (September 24, 2012) – With more than half of the nation’s high school graduates taking the SAT or the ACT, new data from Kaplan Test Prep’s (www.kaptest.com) annual survey of admissions officers from the nation’s top 500 colleges and universities* shows that extra motivated test takers may have an edge. Nearly one of out five (18%) admissions officers responded, “Yes,” to the question: “Is there any advantage to an applicant’s submitting both an SAT and an ACT score, instead of only one score, assuming both scores are strong?”
Jieun Choe, executive director of K-12 and college admission programs, Kaplan Test Prep, noted that over the past year, 60% of Kaplan’s SAT and ACT students reported plans to take both tests.
“While the vast majority of schools say there’s no advantage to submitting scores from both tests, 18% is enough of a percentage to take notice,” said Choe. “With applicants competing for every advantage in the college admissions process, it may be one strategy to consider, as taking both tests can be viewed by some as a sign of extra drive and motivation. The fact that more than half of the students taking our courses tell us they plan to take both tests indicates many already seek out this advantage.”
Also indicating a rising bar for demonstrating academic strength: more Advanced Placement courses showcased in applications. Sixty-nine percent of admissions officers surveyed said they’ve seen an increase in the number of students submitting scores from Advanced Placement exams over the past five years.
Other findings from Kaplan‘s 2012 survey of college admissions officers:
Additional results from Kaplan’s survey will be released in the days ahead.
* For the 2012 survey, 350 admissions officers from the nation’s top 500 schools – as compiled from U.S. News & World Report and Barron’s – were polled by telephone between July 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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