Kaplan to Acquire Aspect, Major Provider of English Language Training

NEW YORK, October 9, 2006 - Kaplan, Inc., the international education firm, announced today that is has acquired Aspect Education Limited, a major provider of English language instruction with 19 schools located in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. The price of the transaction was not disclosed.

Aspect, headquartered in the U.K., offers English language and cultural exchange programs, preparation for a variety of tests of English proficiency, such as the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), vocational training in Business and IT, and academic preparation programs for higher education.

Aspect, under the leadership of CEO David Jones, will over time merge with Kaplan's existing English language training division, which has 17 schools. Jones will lead the combined English language operations as part of the international division of Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions.

John Polstein, CEO, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, said, "The new partnership will ultimately bring immense advantages to our students and agency partners. Aspect and Kaplan share a depth of experience in the international education arena, and our businesses have complementary strengths."

Aspect CEO David Jones said, "We're very happy to join Kaplan to create an exciting new presence in the world of international education. Aspect will gain enormously from becoming part of a unique global education company, with unrivalled expertise in test preparation, professional training and private sector higher education; our complementary strengths will provide an unparalleled range of high quality English language and academic programs for students all over the world."

Aspect's schools are located in: London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bournemouth and Edinburgh in the U.K.; Dublin, Ireland; Sydney and Perth, Australia; Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand; Toronto and Vancouver, Canada; and New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and San Diego in the U.S.

Kaplan's schools include locations in Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Irvine Valley College (Irvine, CA), Highline Community College (Des Moines, WA), Chicago, two locations in New York City, Boston, Cambridge, Merrimack College (North Andover, MA), Washington, DC, Miami and London.

About Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions
Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions (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 4,000 classroom locations worldwide, a comprehensive menu of online offerings and a complete array of books and software, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 80 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as English language and professional licensing exams. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and college and graduate admissions consulting services, as well as after school tutoring through its SCORE! centers. Additionally, the division's K12 Learning Services unit is a leading nationwide provider of a broad range of academic intervention and support programs for school districts.

Kaplan, Inc. (www.kaplan.com) is a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses and offers services in four major areas: Kaplan Kids and Schools, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, Kaplan Higher Education and Kaplan Professional. Kaplan, which had 2005 revenue of more than $1.4 billion, is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (WPO)

About Aspect
Aspect's first school opened nearly 40 years ago. Since that time it has become a leading provider of educational programs and services to students from over 100 countries worldwide. Aspect owns and operates a network of 19 accredited international colleges in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and offers a broad portfolio of study and travel options encompassing MBAs, university preparation, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and Cambridge Exam courses, cultural exchange, Business and IT studies, internships, work experience and teacher training.

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

Press contacts:
Kaplan, Inc.
Dick Riley
212-492-5854
dick.riley@kaplan.com

Carina Wong
212-453-7571
carina.wong@kaplan.com

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