Kaplan and Apex Learning Offer 1st Interactive Advanced Placement (AP) Test Prep Courses at www.kaptest.com
In Time For May AP Exams
Serving Individual Students As Well As Schools and Districts
Kaplan, the nation's premier education and career services company and Apex Learning, a Seattle-based company dedicated to providing rigorous curriculum for high-achieving students and their teachers, have launched AP test prep, the first online interactive test preparation for Advancement Placement (AP) exams. Beginning March 1 at www.kaptest.com, AP test prep will be available for many of the estimated 700,000 students expected to take the May exams. AP test prep will include review for: U.S. Government & Politics, Statistics, Calculus AB, Macroeconomics and Microeconomics. In addition to online material and study plans, AP test prep will offer regularly-scheduled, live instructor-led audio-chats, where students and teachers interact in an online classroom. A school version of the product will be licensed to schools and districts under the name AP Exam Review.
"With admissions to college becoming increasingly competitive, demonstrating your mastery of college-level material by passing the AP exam helps position yourself ahead of all other applicants," said Sharon Miller, Vice President and General Manager of kaptest.com. "As the worldwide leader in offering test preparation and admissions services to college-bound students, Kaplan is uniquely qualified to help them prepare effectively for such high-stakes exams. This convenient and flexible online option will give even more students access to AP preparation." In 1999, approximately 700,000 high school students took over 1.1 million AP exams, an 11% increase over 1998. There are 32 AP courses offered in 18 subject areas offered by approximately 14,000 high schools worldwide. The average AP student takes 1.6 exams a year, and many students take 4 to 5 tests by high school graduation. For Individual Students
AP test prep on kaptest.com allows students to prepare for the exam whenever and wherever they want ñ 24 hours a day, seven days a week. AP test prep is moderately priced $249 for one course with discounts for students taking multiple review courses. Each course includes:
Live, instructor-led audio chats
Personalized study plans with self check quizzes
Instructional support from a dedicated team of experienced AP teachers
Access to all course resources
Study tips and test taking strategies for each course
Chat rooms so you can talk to and learn from your fellow students nationwide
AP test prep on www.kaptest.com follows the introduction of a suite of services for college-bound students on Kaplanís site, including an SAT exam prep course; a college admissions course, application essay review; and a range of free services such as financial aid advice, virtual college tours, customized college search engines and links to services for applying online. The site also offers GMAT, GRE, LSAT, NCLEX-RN and CPA exam preparation courses online. Since its September 1999 launch, kaptestís response has dramatically exceeded company expectations. Students from countries such as Pakistan, Australia and China have enrolled in kaptest.com courses, demonstrating kaptest.comís reach as well as the demand for increased access to admissions services.
For Teachers, Schools and Districts
A school version of the product will also be licensed for use by AP teachers with their students under the name AP Exam Review. Schools, districts and students will receive all of the basic features such as diagnostic testing and personalized study plans, study tips and a chance to communicate with fellow students across the country, while enabling teachers to conduct their own study sessions and to arrange online study groups with their students. "AP teachers are very concerned that their students succeed," said Sally Narodick, president and CEO of Apex Learning. "AP Exam Review assists the teacher by familiarizing students with the exam process and material and assessing their progress. Most importantly, they can confidently encourage students to take the AP Exam knowing that they will be well-prepared." Apex Learning is a pioneer in using the web as a distribution tool to make AP courses broadly available to students across the world who do not have access to these courses in their high school. The company also currently offers full online AP courses in 106 schools across the country. It has been recognized with top industry awards, as its studentsí pass rates exceeded the national average for AP test takers.
About Kaplan
Kaplan, Inc. (kaplan.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Its divisions include Test Preparation and Admissions; SCORE! Learning Corporation, offering after-school programs for kids and resources for parents and kids through eSCORE.com (www.escore.com); Kaplan Professional educational programs for adults; and KaplanCollege.com, a distance learning division which includes Concord University School of Law. Kaplan is the majority shareholder in BrassRing Inc. (BrassRing.com), which combines recruiting, career development and hiring management services for employers and employees. Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company.
About Apex
Apex Learning, Inc., www.apexlearning.com, is a Seattle-based company dedicated to providing rigorous online curriculum for high-achieving students and their teachers. Founded as a demonstration project in 1997 by Paul Allen, the company provides award-winning, highly- effective products by combining the interactivity and accessibility of the Internet with the experience of master teachers and content specialists. Over 2500 schools and 18,000 students have used Apex Learning's products. Apex Learning's current programming includes Advanced Placement Online Courses in five subject areas, including Calculus AB, Statistics, U.S Government and Politics, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics. The company is privately held.
Press Contact: pubrel@kaplan.com, (212) 492-5965