NCS-VUE Begins CompTIA Exam Delivery Worldwide

Business Wire, March 16, 2000

Business Editors & Technology Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2000

CompTIA IT Certification Exams Now Available

at Over 2,000 VUE Testing Centers

National Computer Systems, Inc., (NCS) (Nasdaq:NLCS) announced today that it has begun delivery of CompTIA, (the Computing Technology Industry Association) certification exams through its Virtual University Enterprises (VUE) Information Technology (IT) testing service. CompTIA certifies information technology and service professionals with its widely adopted vendor-neutral certification programs. The exams were activated simultaneously around the world today at 7:00 am CST via VUE's Internet-based testing sytem. They were then instantly available for delivery throughout VUE's network of over 2,000 testing centers.

CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, is a not-for-profit trade association, founded in 1982. Today it represents over 8,000 computer hardware and software manufacturers, distributors, retailers, e-tailers, resellers, VARs, system integrators and training, service, telecommunications and Internet companies. More than 185,000 professionals hold the A (TM) Certification, which assesses basic computer service and repair technology skills. Many of those with A certification are expected to also pursue CompTIA's Network (TM), which deals with computer network technologies and its newest certification, i-NET (TM) which launched in January 2000 and covers a broad range of knowledge regarding Internet connectivity security and Web technical development. Through its contract with NCS-VUE, CompTIA anticipates it will expand its presence internationally and offer exams in countries and areas not previously served.

"This is an exciting day for us," said John Venator, CompTIA president and CEO. "The staff at VUE and CompTIA have worked hard together to meet this launch goal. We are looking forward to enjoying the outstanding technology and service that VUE adds to our programs."

"The positive response to our announcement in January, that we would begin service for CompTIA, has been tremendous," said Neil Crocker, VUE's vice president of IT Programs. "We expect that with today's launch we will see another big surge in our testing volume and testing center channel growth."

CompTIA certifies information technology and service professionals with its widely adopted and vendor-neutral A , Certified Document Imaging Architech(TM)(CDIA), Network and i-Net certification programs. Headquartered in Lombard, Ill., the association's Web address is www.comptia.org.

VUE (www.vue.com) is the IT testing, course registration and training administration division of NCS. From operational centers in the United States, Australia, Japan, the Netherlands and China, VUE provides a variety of services to the IT training industry. Currently serving over 100 countries, there are more than 2,000 VUE Authorized Testing Centers in its rapidly expanding network. NCS is a global information services company providing software, services, systems, and Internet-based technologies for the collection, management, and interpretation of data. Headquartered in Minneapolis, NCS (www.ncs.com) serves important segments of the education, testing, assessment and complex data management markets with nearly 5,000 employees serving its customers from more than 30 locations worldwide.

A (TM), Network (TM), CDIA(TM), I-Net (TM) are registered trademarks of CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association.