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NCS Pearson Launches Pearson Professional Testing

Eden Prairie, Minn. - January 28, 2002 - NCS Pearson today announced the launch of Pearson Professional Testing, a new organization dedicated to meeting the growing demand for a high-quality testing solution in the professional licensure and certification market and to expand these services worldwide.

"The launch of the Pearson Professional Testing organization marks the next phase in the growth of our testing capabilities. It enables us to dedicate resources specifically to the professional licensure and certification market," said Clive Hay-Smith, president, Assessments & Testing, NCS Pearson. "We'll utilize our proven technology, exceptional customer service, and high-quality test center networks to develop innovative solutions specific for this market."

The business will report to Bob Whelan, vice president and general manager, Pearson Professional Testing.

Pearson Professional Testing will deliver its services through the company-owned and operated Pearson Professional Centers, a growing network of 200 testing centers across the U.S. These facilities provide a carefully controlled testing environment and offer the highest level of exam delivery security in the industry, including an option for digital biometrics verification. Pearson Professional Centers will open throughout 2002 and will serve as the testing centers for launch of the NCLEX® Examination program for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc., in October.

"We've carefully designed these testing centers to meet the most demanding requirements of high-stakes testing programs," said Bob Whelan. Because NCS Pearson owns and operates these testing centers, we can customize an exam delivery solution that meets specific customer needs."

Whelan joined NCS Pearson in February 2000 from Personnel Decisions International (PDI), Minneapolis, where he was vice president, sales and marketing, and responsible for building the sales and distribution network for the large human resource consulting firm. These responsibilities included worldwide management of sales, marketing customer service and the opening of offices in seven countries.

Previously, Whelan was vice president of sales for the Educational Software and Services Division of NCS Pearson, responsible for sales and marketing for the software business unit. Whelan has a bachelor's degree in finance and economics from the University of Alabama.

Pearson Professional Testing complements NCS Pearson's other electronic testing offering, VUE, which delivers licensing and certification exams for the information technology industry via a global network of more than 3,000 VUE Authorized Testing Center locations serving more than 130 countries. VUE clients include Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, IBM and others.

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 businesses, NCS Pearson implements innovative testing solutions that enhance the performance, reliability and security of testing programs throughout the world. Its unique, high-security Internet-based test delivery system meets the needs of the high-stakes licensing and certification market through its quality test delivery networks. NCS Pearson operates as a part of Pearson Education, the global education business of Pearson plc, the international media group.

For more information about Pearson Professional Testing, visit www.vue.com/sponsors.