Law Admissions Test Changes To Computer-Based Format

Law Admissions Test Changes To Computer-Based Format

Experts Provide Advice on Preparing for New LNAT

NEW YORK, October 6/PRNewswire/ -- Hunt-and-peck typing and eyestrain are two potential pitfalls for students taking the new computerized version of the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT), according to experts at Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, a global educational services leader who prepares students for the LNAT.

"For most British students, this will be the first computer-based test that they have encountered," said Louise Cook, European Operations Director, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. However, she noted, the LNAT's change from paper-and-pencil to a computerized format, announced earlier this year, is not without precedent, as several US admissions exams have made the shift. Current computer-based admissions tests include the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for graduate school, the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) for business school, and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for medical school -- which just this summer announced it will change to a computer-based exam next year.

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions last year helped more than 280,000 students prepare for standardised tests including the LNAT, BMAT, SAT and U.S. computer-based admissions exams. To tackle the new LNAT, Kaplan offers the following advice:

         - Learn how to type. The LNAT includes a 40 minute essay, which will be       typed. While the LNAT site assures "you should not be disadvantaged if       you are a slow typist," the ability to type with ten fingers rather       than two can only help in a timed test. You will have enough to worry       about without the added anxiety of finding letters on a keyboard under       timed conditions.      - Relax your eyes at regular intervals. One of the chief complaints from       students about computer-based tests is that they promote eye strain --       which becomes more pronounced as the test progresses. Make sure to       relax your eye muscles by looking at distant objects frequently.      - Deal with the easy questions first. The system lets you flag questions       for review so you can go back to unanswered or difficult questions.       Answering the easier questions first has two advantages -- it will keep       you from losing time getting too bogged down with difficult questions,       and will help you build the confidence which is vital to success.      - Keep abreast of current events. Your choice of essay topic will be       selected from one of five choices, and these options often relate to       current events or issues. How well-formed your argument is will       determine the calibre of your essay -- so the better versed you are in       topical issues, the stronger the knowledge base you will have to draw       upon to make your case. Read that Economist and Financial Times       regularly!      - Practice. Studies show that performance improves when tests are taken       more than once -- subsequently, scores improve with increased exposure       and familiarity with the content and format. Essay-writing skills in       particular, can be improved with practice -- notable as many LNAT test       takers last year struggled with the essay. Students can take the free       practice test available at http://www.lnat.ac.uk, and/or get three       practice tests, including a computer-based test simulating the test day       experience, extra practice essay questions, and an essay writing       workshop, through a Kaplan LNAT course. 

Universities that require the LNAT include: University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Glasgow, King's College London, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford and University College London.

Kaplan's LNAT courses, which run over two days, are designed to help students master the skills needed to succeed on these new multiple-choice format exams. The courses provide complete preparation including targeted instruction, in-depth content review and practice under exam-like conditions. Courses cover strategies for recognising common question types, identifying incorrect test answers, what to look for in the multiple-choice questions, developing an effective essay, making the most effective use of time during the test, stress management and other areas.

Kaplan courses are running at locations in London and Bristol. For more information, visit http://www.kaptest.com/uk

Established in 1938, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions ( http://www.kaptest.com) has prepared generations of students for standardised entrance exams, including the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) required for application to most U.S. universities' law programmes. With 3,000 classroom locations worldwide, a comprehensive menu of online offerings and a complete array of books and software, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 60 standardised tests in the US, UK and Canada, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as English language and professional licensing exams. Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions also provides K12 services for schools.

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions is a division of Kaplan, Inc. (http://www.kaplan.com), a leading provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. also owns SCORE!, which offers after-school learning programs for young students; Kaplan Professional, which offers licensing and continuing education training and compliance tracking, including UK professional qualifications and business training through London's Financial Training Company; and Kaplan Higher Education, which offers post-secondary educational certificate and degree programs online and through 76 campus-based locations throughout the US and at the Dublin Business School. Kaplan also partners with Nottingham Trent University. Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

Press contact: Carina Wong, carina_wong@kaplan.com, +1-212-453-7571

         Web site: http://www.kaplan.com               http://www.kaptest.com/uk               http://www.lnat.ac.uk               http://www.kaptest.com  

Source: Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions

Carina Wong of Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, +1-212-453-7571, carina_wong@kaplan.com NOTE TO EDITORS: Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

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