Kaplan Test Prep Launches International GMAT Course
First Program to Meet the Needs of International Business School Applicants

(NEW YORK) January 8, 2003 - In an effort to better serve the thousands of international students applying to U.S. business schools, Kaplan International, a unit of Kaplan Test Prep and a leading provider of educational services to international students and professionals in the U.S. and abroad, has launched a new International GMAT course. The first GMAT preparation program specifically designed for international students, the International GMAT course emphasizes English language skills and incorporates proven strategies from Kaplan's market-leading GMAT preparation programs.

The number of foreign students in U.S. business and management programs has sharply increased over the past few years, partly as a result of international recognition of the value of an MBA. According to data released by the Institute of International Education, 114,885 foreign students were enrolled in U.S. business and management programs in 2001/02, representing almost one-fifth of the total business school population and an increase of more than eight percent from 2000/01.

"Despite the continued increase in international students applying for and attending business school, until now there was no GMAT prep course that addressed their specific needs," said Leigh-Ellen Louie, President of Kaplan International. "As the largest provider of GMAT preparation and a leading provider of English language programs for international students and professionals, Kaplan is uniquely positioned to offer this much-needed program."

In contrast to Kaplan's regular eight-week GMAT course featuring 16 hours of live instruction, the international course is 12 weeks with 36 hours of live instruction. Two-thirds of class time is devoted to verbal lessons and Kaplan's exclusive test-taking strategies.

Course materials include a comprehensive lesson book, a workbook geared to international students' language needs, an English vocabulary guide, a home-study book and a CD-ROM. Students also have access to training libraries and an in-center computer lab. The course is recommended for students with a score of at least 550 (paper) or 213 (computer) on the TOEFL or Kaplan's simulated exam. Kaplan will offer the course at 10 North American centers -- Berkeley,

Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles (Westwood), Miami, New York, Sacramento, Seattle, Vancouver and Washington D.C.

"Many of our international students are already strong in math and quantitative skills but need additional work on the verbal sections of the GMAT," Louie added. "This course is focused on the verbal skills necessary for them to compete and get into top programs. It was designed to meet the needs of both international students in the U.S. and overseas, particularly as an increasing number of foreign business schools are requiring the GMAT."

Kaplan International (www.kaptest.com/international), a unit of Kaplan, Inc., a leading educational and career services company, provides educational services to international students and professionals in the U.S. and abroad. Through its North American centers, Kaplan offers international students a full range of programs from general English language courses to test preparation for U.S. entrance and licensing exams to industry-specific English for adult professionals. Kaplan International is also expanding rapidly overseas, offering preparation for U.S. college and graduate school entrance exams, medical licensure exams, and TOEFL and TOEIC test preparation at 33 centers in 17 foreign countries spanning Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, mainly operated by local licensees.

Press Contacts:

Karen Blass
212-974-6233
karen_blass@kaplan.com

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