Kaplan IT Learning Unveils New Authoring Tool for Performance-Based Testing

PerformIT Allows Technology Companies to Author and Deliver Emulation-Based
Training and Testing Scenarios

ATLANTA, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaplan IT Learning, a leading provider of IT
certification preparation, learning services and software to help individuals
and organizations train on technology and prepare for technology
certifications, today announced the release of their new authoring tool and
delivery platform for performance-based testing. PerformIT provides a method
and a system for enabling the authoring and delivery of automated grading of
performance-based scenarios running on virtual machines. With today's
advances in technology, certification programs are challenged to ensure their
program requires candidates to demonstrate their skills by performing required
tasks.

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"In Information Technology where competence in a particular skill domain is
expected on the job, performance-based testing is gaining increasing
credibility in skills measurement because it is 'testing by doing'," said
Brian Sholly, President of Kaplan IT Learning. "The test taker is placed into
an emulated environment where test scenarios are presented and the test taker
must use their knowledge and skills to perform the tasks outlined in the
scenarios. Performance is measured by grading the actual tasks performed by
the test taker on the system."

PerformIT allows technology vendors to author performance-based testing items
that can be used for the training and testing of IT professionals and system
users. It also provides a system for presenting the emulation-based testing
scenario to the test taker and a method for using the scenario elements to
perform automated grading and scoring of all attempted tasks. A provisional
patent application filed for the method of creating and presenting the
scenario elements.

The first products launched by Kaplan IT Learning under the PerformIT brand is
the Microsoft Virtual Lab-Based Practice Test 83-640 Windows Server(R) 2008
Active Directory, Configuring, available from Transcender
(www.Transcender.com) and Self Test Software (www.SelfTestSoftware.com).
PerformIT is available as an authoring and emulation testing platform for a
wide range of software applications.

About Kaplan IT Learning
Kaplan IT Learning provides certification preparation, skill assessment,
learning services and software to help individuals and organizations train on
technology and prepare for technology certifications. Kaplan IT Learning is a
division of Kaplan, Inc., a leading global provider of educational services,
and a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). Customers include
corporations, government and academic institutions, training companies, and
individuals around the world. Leading products include Transcender, the
largest and most comprehensive IT certification test preparation provider,
Self Test Software, a leader of quality exam prep tools, and award-winning STT
Trainer software to train and support the end users of enterprise
applications. For further information, please call 1.866.366.5120 or visit
www.kaplanitlearning.com.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and other countries.

SOURCE Kaplan IT Learning

Mark Harrad of Kaplan, New York, +1-212-974-6231, Mark.Harrad@kaplan.com; or
April Browne of Kaplan IT Learning, Atlanta, +1-678-277-3275,
April.Browne@kaplan.com