April 15, 2002
Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Pearson Professional Testing, the professional licensure and certification electronic testing business of NCS Pearson, today announced that it has successfully concluded delivery of the NCLEX® Examination beta test for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.

The beta test was designed to analyze the systems, software, and processes in preparation for a full program launch in October. The five-week test exercised the systems in a production environment, with nearly 900 actual NCLEX® Exam candidates taking a live exam, leading to a licensing decision, in one of 23 Pearson Professional Centers, including a location in Tamuning, Guam.

"The success of this beta test clearly demonstrates our preparedness for the October launch," said Anthony Zara, Ph.D., vice president - Professional Licensing and Certification for Pearson Professional Testing. "Our software systems performed remarkably well, from candidate registration and scheduling, to exam delivery, and through results processing."

"We are pleased with the results of this beta test," said Casey Marks, director of Testing Services for the National Council. "Our exam candidates were happy with the testing experience at the Pearson Professional Centers and our Member Boards were excited by the enhanced services provided through the NCLEX administration web site. Member Boards were able to review candidate results and biometrics within hours of when the candidate completed the examination."

The contract between NCS Pearson and the National Council was signed in August 1999, and includes test development services and test delivery through the newly created, company owned and operated Pearson Professional Centers. Construction of the remaining Pearson Professional Centers will take place, across the U.S. and its territories, over the next few months. More than 80 sites will be available in June, and 200 sites will be open in October.

About NCS Pearson

NCS Pearson is a global provider of applications, services and technologies for education, testing, assessment, government and complex data management. Through its electronic testing business, Pearson Professional Testing, NCS Pearson implements innovative testing solutions that enhance the performance, reliability and security of professional licensure and certification testing programs throughout the world. NCS Pearson operates as a business of Pearson Education, the world's largest integrated education company, which in turn is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
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