Kaplan Launches Physician Assistant Prep Program

Online Review to Target Third Fastest Growing Profession

NEW YORK, March 8, 2004 - With 40,000 new physician assistant positions anticipated over the next eight years, Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions, a division of educational services provider Kaplan, Inc., has launched a new online review program for students taking the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Fueled by the anticipated expansion of health services nationally, physician assistance is projected to be the third fastest growing profession through 2012, according to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics. Physician assistants work under the supervision of physicians to provide healthcare services, increasingly relieving physicians of routine duties and procedures and filling the gap that hospital residency limitations have created.

"With employment in this field expected to rise an incredible 49%, more people than ever before will be taking these exams," said Richard Friedland, Executive Director, Medical Curriculum for Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions. "As the world leader in test prep, Kaplan has extensive experience in preparing students for computer-based exams, along with technological expertise. The PANCE 'Qbank' combines the easy accessibility of an online program with superior course content to provide the most up-to-date, comprehensive study resource available for PANCE students."

Featuring a 1,200+ question database, customizable review tests, detailed answer explanations and convenient online, twenty-four-hour access, the Qbank sets a new standard for physician assistant exam review.

The PANCE, currently taken by over 5,000 test-takers each year, is a computer-based exam offered four times yearly that is required for national PA certification. Kaplan's Qbank also provides a thorough refresher course for the very similar PA National Recertification Exam, or PANRE, which physician assistants are required to take every six years.

The Kaplan PANCE Qbank program provides continuously updated onscreen performance feedback, with graphic display, in keeping with the exam's style. Practice tests may be presented tutorial style or timed to simulate the conditions of the actual exam. Exam questions may be drawn from the pool of unused questions, questions previously missed, or all available questions, and PANCE topics may be presented by organ system, by task or by a combination of the two. Students can select their preferred review method, choose what material to focus on, and work at any hour from the convenience of their own homes.

Kaplan Medical (www.kaplanmedical.com) is the largest provider of USMLE preparation courses and products in the world. With more than 30 years of experience in health sciences education, including pre-med, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing, Kaplan Medical assists thousands of health professionals in the U.S. and abroad through live lectures, video/book self-study, online lectures, question banks, books, software, and computer simulated exams. Kaplan, Inc. (www.kaplan.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services to individuals, schools and businesses, and is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO).

Press Contact:

Claudia Dizenzo
212-707-5218
claudia_dizenzo@kaplan.com 

Printable Version