Practice Test by Testive Adapts Question Difficulty to Match Individual Ability Level; Results Use Adaptive Testing Research to Reliably Predict Test-Takers’ Scores
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 (February 9, 2012) – Until now, the only way students could gauge how they’d perform on the SAT® was to take a 4-hour practice test mirroring the actual exam. To create a more efficient assessment tool, Kaplan Test Prep has teamed with Testive, an adaptive test development company, to create the first-ever adaptive 90-minute practice SAT that can reliably predict a test-taker’s score level. Using computer adaptive algorithms developed at MIT and built upon decades of academic research on adaptive testing, the “Kaplan SAT TurboTest,” powered by Testive, can help students understand their current score without having to sit through a full-length 4-hour practice exam.
The first and only computer-adaptive SAT practice test, the Kaplan SAT 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 SAT TurboTest is able to create an accurate picture of his or her predicted performance more efficiently, using fewer questions.
“Today’s students have jam-packed schedules, so we aim to help them meet their goals as effectively and efficiently as possible,” said Justin Serrano, president of college prep programs for Kaplan Test Prep. “Getting students a reliable score assessment in less than half the time of traditional tests helps them identify and focus on areas of study opportunity more quickly.”
“Combining Kaplan’s world-class content with Testive’s ability to speed up traditional tests gives students the baseline knowledge they need to start the SAT preparation process,” said Miro Kazakoff, co-founder of Testive. “It’s the only SAT practice test currently available that uses computer adaptive algorithms to zoom in on student ability level without making them churn through 167 questions .”
The Kaplan SAT TurboTest is available to download online and can be used on the iPad® using a web browser.
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.
*SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.
1 CommentGMAT’s New Integrated Reasoning Section to Challenge MBA Aspirants with Question Types such as Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, and 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 (February 8, 2012) – Undergrads putting off taking the GMAT because they don’t plan to apply to business school for a few years might want to adjust their timelines. Aspiring business school students will face a more difficult GMAT in June with the addition of the Integrated Reasoning section. Integrated Reasoning will present four question types designed to measure test takers’ ability to organize, synthesize, and evaluate information from multiple sources and in different formats. Makers of the exam say the Integrated Reasoning section will test how applicants respond to the kinds of complex challenges they will encounter in business schools and as managers. The GMAT’s 200,000+ annual test takers worldwide will face the following new question types:
“The Integrated Reasoning section will introduce question types that are unprecedented among major admissions tests. 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,” said Andrew Mitchell, director of pre-business programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “Most aspiring MBAs take the GMAT and apply for admission in their mid to late 20’s. Nevertheless, college students can get an advantage by taking the GMAT before it changes and avoid the time it will take to prepare for the new section. All GMAT scores, including scores from before the test change, are valid for 5 years.”
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.
A Kaplan-created sample question from the GMAT’s new Integrated Reasoning section can be found here: http://press.kaptest.com/gmatsamplequestion.
For more question samples, including explanations and ongoing updates provided by Kaplan, visit www.testchange.com.
To arrange an interview with a GMAT and business school admissions expert at Kaplan Test Prep, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.
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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