Thomson Prometric Announces Testing Agreement with the Medical Council of Canada
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Lindsay Brown
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Thomson Learning
203-539-8634
lindsay.brown@thomson.com
Thomson Prometric Announces Testing Agreement with the Medical Council of Canada
Baltimore, MD – August 16, 2006 - Thomson Prometric, the global leader in assessment services, and part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), today announced a seven-year agreement to deliver the Medical Council of Canada's Evaluating Examination. The examination, currently administered by paper and pencil, will be converted to a computer-based format for pilot testing commencing in November of this year, leading to a complete rollout in 2008.
The Evaluating Examination is required of graduates of international medical schools who wish to practice medicine in Canada. The Evaluating Examination is a critical first step for these candidates as they move through the licensure test process. Currently, the seven-hour examination is offered three times a year in Canada and select international locations. According to the current schedule, Thomson Prometric will administer a computerized version of the current examination, written by the MCC, this year and next, in locations outside of Canada. Thomson Prometric will also assist in a global expansion in 2008, including the delivery of the test within Canada.
Thomson Prometric's global presence and extensive network of test centers was very important to MCC, as were its technology capabilities. The psychometricians at Thomson Prometric have extensive experience in converting paper-and-pencil tests to computer-based formats and transitioning tests to adaptive formats. Great care will be taken to ensure the Evaluating Examination maintains its validity, reliability and legal defensibility.
"The success of our program depends on the commitment of our test provider to meeting our geographic and technology needs. Throughout this process, Thomson Prometric has remained engaged in the project and dedicated to resolving any challenges that arose," said Robert S. Lee, director, Evaluation Bureau Operations, Medical Council of Canada.
"Our experience in converting paper-and-pencil tests to computer-based formats is second to none. We look forward to working with MCC to help the Council move its testing program forward and provide a convenient and consistent testing experience for its candidates," said Linda Waters, PhD, vice president Professional Services, Thomson Prometric.
About The Thomson Corporation and Thomson Prometric
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2005 revenues of approximately $8.40 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate e-learning and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 40,500 employees and provides services in approximately 130 countries. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC). Thomson Prometric (www.prometric.com) is the recognized global leader in testing and assessment services, providing paper-and-pencil, Internet and computer-based testing solutions. It offers a fully integrated testing system that includes test development, test delivery and data management capabilities. On behalf of 600 current clients in the academic, professional, government, corporate and information technology markets, Thomson Prometric develops and/or delivers assessments through a global network of testing centers in 131 countries as well as direct to candidates via the Web.