Kaplan Professional Launches New Test Prep Business in Information Technology Certification

New Kaplan IT Brand Leverages Self Test Software Tools and Strengthens Kaplan's Foray Into the IT Market

(March 18, 2003) - Combining leadership in test prep with expertise in IT certification, Kaplan Professional, a division of Kaplan, Inc., today expanded its position in the multi-billion dollar IT training market with the launch of Kaplan IT, a new branded business providing instructor-led test prep for professionals seeking IT certification.

Based on the tools and curriculum of Self Test Software, a Kaplan Professional company and a leading company in IT certification practice tests, Kaplan IT provides self-study resources and live exam review for candidates seeking to achieve Microsoft or Cisco IT certification. Courses will cover prep for a variety of IT certifications, including Microsoft's MCSA, MCDBA, MCSE; Cisco's CCNA and CompTIA's A+. Self Test Software products are the only IT certification preparation products recommended by all five following vendors to candidates preparing for their exams: Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, CIW and Novell.

Craig Callaway, currently President of Self Test Software, will oversee the new business.

Kaplan already has a variety of services in the IT education field - including software consulting and training through its Perfect Access Speer unit, college campuses offering live classroom instruction and online degree programs.

"Given the enormous potential of the IT training market, combining Self Test Software's expertise in IT certification practice with Kaplan's rich history in test prep made obvious strategic sense," said Eric Cantor, President, Kaplan Professional. "We are excited to be able to stake a leadership position in this market and serve the training needs of IT professionals by providing an educational offering for IT certification which is unique in the industry."

Kaplan IT's flagship offering, known as KapCert™ Complete, represents the most comprehensive program of its kind and includes a four-hour instructor-led exam review plus Self Test Software's FastCert™ Study Pak, which is comprised of: a comprehensive practice test, flash cards, 24/7 access to an online mentor, an extensive study guide, a strategies guide, flash cards and access to a custom library of over 80 online technology test prep titles.

The first Kaplan IT classes start this week in Atlanta, GA and Minneapolis, MN. Over the next several months, classes will be made available in the following cities: New York, NY, Beltsville and Towson, MD, Chicago, IL, Houston and Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA. While the first classes will focus on Microsoft and Cisco certifications, future classes will include certifications for other vendors including Oracle, Sun, Novell, Lotus, CIW and CompTIA. Classes will be conducted from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. local time.

This launch supports the continued growth of Kaplan Professional, as it follows on the heels of Kaplan's recent announcement to acquire the Financial Training Company (FTC), a London-based provider of international test preparation services for accounting and financial services professionals.

For more information on Kaplan IT, go to www.kaplanit.com.

Self Test Software (www.selftestsoftware.com) is a leader in test preparation and exam simulation software for IT certifications including Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, Sun, Novell, Lotus, CIW and CompTIA. Kaplan IT and Self Test Software serve businesses and individuals seeking to attain vendor-sponsored certification throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Kaplan Professional (www.kaplanprofessional.com), a division of Kaplan, Inc., is a leading provider of education and training solutions to companies and individuals in the financial services, insurance, banking, real estate, legal, information technology, and call center industries. Kaplan Professional meets its clients training, certification and continuing education needs through traditional and e-learning management tools, combining classroom and web-based products and services designed to maximize the performance of people and organizations. Kaplan has been providing educational and career services to students, schools, professionals, and businesses worldwide for more than 60 years. Kaplan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO - News). For more information about Kaplan, please visit http://www.kaplan.com.

Press Contacts:

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

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