New Computerized Gmat Planned For Graduate Business School Applicants - Gmac To Offer Tests At Sylvan Technology Centers Worldwide In 1997 -

Business Wire, Sept 7, 1995

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 7, 1995--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) -- the standardized exam required to enter most graduate business schools -- may soon be administered on computer. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) -- the global management education organization that administers the GMAT to more than 200,000 people around the world each year -- expects to make the electronic test available throughout North America and at selected international sites in 1997.

"GMAC is investing significant resources over the next two years in the research and development of the computerized GMAT," says GMAC President David Wilson. "The current plan is to introduce a computer- based GMAT in October, 1997."

Stephen Christakos, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management says "GMAC is practicing what its schools of management are preaching. This decision to go to computers is a classic case of customer service. It gives applicants an opportunity to take the test year round, rather than only four times each year. By allowing year-round access to the GMAT, business schools will be able to make quicker decisions on student applications rather than being slowed down by the traditional quarterly flood of GMAT scores."

A computer adaptive test will provide a more efficient means of measuring a candidate's verbal and qualitative skills. Susan Motz, Director of the MBA program at Vanderbilt University's Owen School of Management says "Unlike a paper-and-pencil test, a computerized test allows for branching. A correct answer will lead to a more difficult question. An incorrect answer will lead to a less difficult question. Candidates will spend less time answering questions that are either too easy or too difficult."

Throughout the research and development phase of the computerized GMAT, the GMAC will benefit from its close alliance with Educational Testing Service (ETS), the world's largest private educational measurement institution. In 1992, ETS began offering computerized versions of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and the PRAXIS Series (Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers) as well as other exams.

"Just in the past year, more than 300,000 candidates took computerized tests across five ETS programs, including those for graduate school admissions and professional licensure," says Ernest Anastasio, ETS Executive Vice President. "ETS is the pioneer of this new testing mode, our planning and problem solving experiences place us in a uniquely capable role to develop the GMAT as a computer adaptive test."

"The experience gained through the computer based testing programs implemented by ETS has been of great value," says GMAC's Wilson. "The GMAT's development plan allows us to capitalize on ETS' cumulative knowledge and also to use most of the infrastructure that has been developed for these programs. GMAT test-takers will be the beneficiaries of this knowledge and experience."

When implemented, the computer based exam will replace the current paper-and-pencil version of the test, except at some international sites where the electronic test will not be available. The electronic test will be offered in part through an agreement with Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. a tutorial and testing company that currently delivers computerized exams worldwide for ETS. Test takers will be able to take the GMAT at Sylvan Technology Centers around the world, as well as at campus-based centers and ETS field offices. Sylvan has more than 280 test centers in North America, and expects to have more than 1,000 facilities in 70 countries.

"Because the GMAT is taken by so many business school candidates, its computerization marks a significant milestone in the conversion of standardized tests from paper-and-pencil format to computer," says Chris Hoehn-Saric, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. "As the test partner with GMAC and ETS, we take great pride in being a part of this turning point and stand ready to assist the introduction of this new exam."

The Graduate Management Admission Council is an independent, not- for-profit educational organization pursuing its mission as the premier provider of services to management education institutions worldwide.

It derives its financial capability solely from the provision of value added services offered in a competitive marketplace.

The not-for-profit status enables GMAC to focus on and support issues of management education rather tan on satisfying the investment expectations of any shareholders.

CONTACT: Media Contact:

Vickie Glazar

Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc.

(410) 880-8732

or

Stacy Berns

Morgen-Walke Associates, Inc.

(212) 850-5675

or

Chief Financial Officer:

Lee McGee

Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc.

(410) 880-0889

or

Investor Contact:

Donna N. Stein, APR

Morgen-Walke Associates, Inc.

(212) 850-5600

or

GMAC Contact

Tim Westerbeck

Westerbeck Communications

(312) 832-1676