NCS-VUE Signs Exclusive Testing Agreement with Novell.

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SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 2000

NCS-VUE Begins Delivery of Innovative Novell Practicum Exam Today

National Computer Systems, Inc., (NCS) (NASDAQ: NLCS) announced today that Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVL) has selected Virtual University Enterprises (VUE), the Information Technology (IT) testing service of NCS, to be the exclusive test delivery provider in the launch of its ground-breaking Novell Practicum certification exam. The exam, introduced today at Novell's BrainShare 2000 Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, will initially be used to test for the Certified Directory Engineer, a Novell Certification that is an official recognition of senior engineers and consultants who manage the design, implementation, optimization and maintenance of directories and directory-enabled solutions. The Novell Practicum exam is unique because it is the first IT certification exam to use remote access to perform live-lab assessment. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Debbie Maucieri, vice president of Novell Education said, "Exam candidates will connect remotely to a live lab directory system where they will have a specific amount of time to restore a malfunctioning directory system back to a satisfactory working state. It is a demanding, objective assessment that needs a testing vendor able to meet the unique challenges. VUE's technology and client capabilities allow Novell to bring this new technology to market quickly and efficiently. VUE will be a valuable ally as Novell again breaks new ground in IT education."

Beginning in April 2000, the Novell Practicum beta exam will be offered at Benchmark Computer Learning - Minneapolis, New Horizons - Atlanta, New Horizons - Tampa, A-Plus Computer Education, Inc. - Richmond, VA, and Training Partners, Inc. -Sioux Falls, SD.

"We see participating in this beta period as a key way to differentiate ourselves. Offering the Novell Practicum using VUE's pioneering technology shows New Horizons' customers our commitment to again lead the way in IT training and testing," said Doug Shankwiler, New Horizons senior vice president, COO.

Additional VUE Testing Centers will begin offering the exam once the beta period is successfully complete. A complete listing of VUE Authorized Testing Centers delivering the Novell Practicum will be posted on the NCS-VUE web site at www.vue.com.

The first program to focus on directory solutions, the Certified Directory Engineer targets the most expert IT professionals. Novell recognizes the valuable skills and IT acumen that top professionals from various vendor environments have acquired and offers migration paths from other major industry certifications.

"VUE was selected to develop and deliver the test because we are the only delivery vendor with software capable of allowing third parties, such as Novell, to implement sophisticated external item types such as these. We are excited that Novell is working with NCS-VUE to pioneer this new testing technology," said Neil Crocker, VUE vice president of IT Programs.

VUE (www.vue.com) is the IT electronic testing, course registration and training administration division of NCS. From operational centers in the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan 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, and systems 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.