United States Medical Licensing Examination to be 'Computer-Based'.

PHILADELPHIA--(BW HealthWire)--July 13, 1998--

Sylvan is Awarded Contract to Begin Worldwide Testing in Spring 1999

The United States Medical Licensing Examination(TM) (USMLE(TM)), a requisite for most physicians to become licensed in the U.S., will become a computer-based test in 1999 and be available at more than 500 Sylvan Technology Centers in North America and throughout the world.

Sylvan announced that with the transition to a computer-based test, a global test delivery contract has been awarded to Sylvan Prometric. The announcement was made at the eighth International Ottawa Conference on Medical Education and Assessment. Hosted by the National Board of Medical Examiners(R) (NBME(R)) at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel through July 15, the Ottawa Conference (http://www.ottawa.nbme.org) is being held in the U.S., for the first time. Sylvan Prometric is the computer-based testing division of Sylvan Learning Systems(R), Inc. (NASDAQ:SLVN), the world's leading provider of educational services to families, schools and industry.

Created approximately eight years ago, the USMLE (www.usmle.org) is a single, three-step examination which provides a common evaluation system for individuals applying for medical licensure in the U.S. It is jointly owned by the NBME, established in 1915, and the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. (FSMB). The USMLE and examinations which preceded it have been given via "pencil and paper" for more than 70 years. Results of USMLE are reported to medical licensing authorities for use in granting initial licenses to practice medicine, providing assurance of a high quality, valid and reliable assessment.

Computer-Based Testing to Begin Next Spring

According to Dr. Donald Melnick, senior vice president of the NBME, computer-based delivery of the USMLE is expected to begin in April/May of 1999 for Step 1 of the exam; in July/August for Step 2; and by the end of 1999 for Step 3. "Implementation of computer-based delivery is part of a plan for enhancement of the examination adopted by the USMLE Composite Committee and sponsoring organizations three years ago," Dr. Melnick said. "Transition to computer-based testing is a complex endeavor, and as a result, timing of the test delivery program will be adjusted based on results of ongoing field tests and other preparatory efforts.

"By choosing Sylvan Prometric and its Sylvan Technology Centers to administer exams," said Dr. Melnick, "the NBME and FSMB are working in tandem with the global leader in test delivery. Sylvan delivers millions of tests for professional licensure, IT industry certification and academic admission and assessment annually, and gives us a partner with an extraordinary level of skill and experience."

Dr. Melnick said testing procedures for the computer-based USMLE will be the same as with its traditional paper-based test. Steps 1 and 2 will be taken by students and graduates of medical schools in the U.S. and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and by students and graduates of foreign medical schools who are eligible for examination to obtain the certificate of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). A passing score on Steps 1 and 2 is included by many U.S. medical schools in requirements for promotion or graduation, by ECFMG in requirements for its certificate, and may be included in requirements for entry into accredited residency programs in the U.S. Step 3 is required of medical school graduates who have passed Steps 1 and 2. Passing Step 3 is required to complete the USMLE sequence, which is used by medical licensing authorities in granting the license to practice medicine.

"The confidence shown in Sylvan Prometric and our Sylvan Technology Centers in being chosen to deliver the USMLE is incredibly gratifying," said John Kennedy, vice president for professional licensure and certification of Sylvan Prometric. "As much as this is a feather in our cap," he said, "it is also an opportunity to meet the growing needs of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States in facilitating a smooth introduction and implementation of the computer-based version of this prestigious exam."

Sylvan entered the testing and certification industry in 1992 as a natural extension of its expertise and success in providing continuing and supplementary education. In 1995, it acquired Drake Prometric and merged its resources with its own facilities and capabilities to form the Sylvan Prometric division, the world's largest and most comprehensive computer-based testing organization. Its primary test delivery vehicle is its global network of more than 2,000 Authorized Prometric Testing Centers? (APTCs) and Sylvan Technology Centers in more than 105 countries, exceeding 10,000 testing seats worldwide. In 1997, Sylvan delivered more than 2.3 million computer-based tests in 25 languages in 105 countries through its network of APTCs and STCs.

Other major academic assessment and professional licensure testing programs administered by Sylvan Prometric include the Graduate Record Exam, GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test), numerous Federal Aviation Administration exams, the registered and practical nurses licensing examinations (NCLEX), the PRAXIS Series (formerly the National Teacher Examination), the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) exams, and the NCARB (National Counsel of Architects Review Board) tests. Sylvan is also the leader in delivering testing services for all major IT industry certification programs worldwide. -0-

Sylvan Prometric is the technology-based testing division of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SLVN), the world's leading provider of educational services to families, schools and industry. Sylvan Prometric is the global leader in delivery of technology-based assessment services for academic admissions and professional licensure/certification, and in 1997 delivered more than 2.3 million computer-based tests in 25 languages through its network of more than 2,000 Authorized Prometric Testing Centers and Sylvan Technology Centers in 105 countries. Sylvan Prometric delivers standardized tests for more than 150 clients, including virtually all major IT industry certification programs from Microsoft(R), Compaq(R), Computer Associates(R), Novell(R), CompTIA(R), Lotus(R), IBM(R), Oracle(R), Corel(R), PictureTel(R), Sybase(R), Sun Microsystems(R), AutoDesk(R) and many others.

Sylvan Learning Systems is a registered trademark and Sylvan Prometric and Authorized Prometric Testing Centers are trademarks of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., in the U.S. and Canada. Other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

    CONTACT: Sylvan Prometric
              Chuck Wilson
              410/843-8476
              [e-mail]
                       or
              National Board of Medical Examiners
              Kathleen Herron
              215/590-9538
              [e-mail]
                       or




              The Kaminer Group
              David A. Kaminer
              914/684-1934
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