On Teens’ Holiday Wish Lists, College Acceptances and

Perfect SAT and ACT Scores Outrank Cars and Cash

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions Survey Shows Majority of Students Would Rather Unwrap Acceptance Letter from Top College Choice over $500,000

New York, NY (December 12, 2007) – This holiday season, high school students around the country have college over cash and cars on their wish lists.  According to a recently conducted Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions survey of 1,698 prospective college students*, given the choice between gaining admissions to their first choice college or $500,000 as the ultimate holiday present, 59 percent reported that they would choose getting into their top pick school. 

And when given the choice between a perfect SAT or ACT score or a brand new car, the answer was even more decisive – 86 percent would rather be gifted that perfect 2400 on the SAT or perfect 36 on the ACT over a new set of wheels.

“Although half a million dollars is extremely tempting to students of any age, a majority of today’s high school students understand that attending a competitive, top college or university may be of even greater benefit in the long run,” said Kristen Campbell, national director of college prep programs, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions.  “And while a new set of wheels may earn them popularity points in school, they recognize it won’t do anything to help them into the Ivy League or favorite college.  An overwhelming majority of students want that perfect SAT or ACT score – one of the most important factors in the increasingly competitive college admissions process.” 

This past year, more than two million students applied to college, a number that is expected to increase for the foreseeable future.  Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions prepares thousands of students worldwide annually to take the SAT and ACT. 

*Results based on a survey of 1,698 students preparing for the SAT or ACT with Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. The survey was conducted during October, November and December 2007. 

About Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions (www.kaptest.com), a division of Kaplan, Inc., is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings and a complete array of books and software, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as English language and professional licensing exams. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and college and graduate admissions consulting services.

Press Contacts:

Russell Schaffer

russell.schaffer@kaplan.com

212-453-7538

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