Kaplan International Expands Into Barcelona to Address Increased Demand for American University Degrees

NEW YORK, May 13, 2003 - Kaplan International, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kaplan, Inc. providing educational services to international students and professionals in the U.S. and abroad, today announced plans to expand its products and services into Barcelona through its Spanish licensee, Enforex Group. The new center will offer test preparation courses for the entrance exams to American business school (GMAT), graduate school (GRE), law school (LSAT) and college (SAT) as well as professional licensing exams for nurses (NCLEX) and doctors (USMLE) who wish to practice in the U.S. The center will also prepare students for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), required for admissions to American institutions as well as some government and local organizations abroad.

The move positions the company to reach more markets overseas and comes as international student enrollment in higher education programs is on the rise - with nearly 30 percent growth since 1993. According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), more than 580,000 international students studied in the U.S. in the 2001-2002, an increase of 6.4 percent over the previous school year. This matches the previous year's increase as the highest growth since 1980.

Paralleling this growth, Kaplan International has been expanding rapidly abroad through local business partners, opening 20 centers in 11 countries over the past five years. Kaplan International partners offer students and professionals Kaplan programs including test preparation and university admissions consulting and also provide services to government and corporate sponsors including placement at top American universities, fellowship management, academic monitoring and reporting and financial administration. International students and professionals either travel to Kaplan International's North American centers or enroll in one of Kaplan's partner centers abroad.

"Bringing Kaplan's programs to partner centers overseas gives greater access at lower cost to international students considering studying in the U.S. or meeting the requirements of their own governments or local institutions," said Leigh-Ellen Louie, President of Kaplan International. "Barcelona is an important worldwide industrial, commercial and business center and our expansion there will allow us to help even more Spanish students gain access to America's education system."

Classes in Barcelona will be taught with Kaplan's proprietary teaching materials and methods and will use the latest technology, including computer labs in the center offering computerized practice exams under simulated test-taking conditions.

"We are thrilled to offer Kaplan's test preparation and admissions services to students and professionals in Spain," said Antonio Anadon, President of Enforex Group. "We have seen a high level of demand from students here who wish to study in the U.S. but need preparation and guidance. Using Kaplan's extensive resources, we can provide unparalleled educational services to help these students reach their goals."

About Kaplan International
Kaplan International, Inc. (www.kaptest.com/international), a wholly-owned subsidiary 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 34 centers in 16 foreign countries spanning Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, primarily through licensee-run test centers.

Press Contacts:

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

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