Media Contacts:
Brian Biagioli, EdD 
NCSF Director of Certification
National Council on Strength and Fitness
305.668.8705
bbiagioli@ncsf.org 
      
Adam Gaber
Sr. Director, Public Relations
Thomson Learning
203.425.1363
Adam.Gaber@thomson.com

Thomson Prometric and National Council on Strength and Fitness Sign Exclusive Agreement to Validate the Skills of Personal Fitness Trainers

BALTIMORE, MD. MAY 10, 2004 - Thomson PROMETRIC, THE GLOBAL LEADER IN TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED TESTING AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES, and part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), today announced its exclusive four year agreement with the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF).  Beginning July 2004, NCSF will use Thomson Prometric’s computer-based test development, test delivery and data management services throughout North America to assess and certify the skills of personal fitness trainers.

The NCSF certified personal trainer has the expertise to provide safe and effective fitness training while practicing within the boundaries defined by the scope of the profession.

“NCSF chose Thomson Prometric because it is a total solution,” said Brian Biagioli, NCSF director of certification.   “Thomson Prometric has the business reputation, dedicated network of testing centers and quick response times we need to meet the objectives of our certification program.”

To become a NCSF certified personal trainer students are required to demonstrate a minimum competency in seven areas of health and fitness including: Functional Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Health Screening and Evaluation, Nutrition and Weight Management, Exercise Prescription, Strength Training Instruction and Program Considerations for Special Populations.

“We believe our computer-based testing services offer a better method for validating these skills,” said Alison Indrisano, senior vice president of Global Operations.  “We recognize the importance of measuring the skills of personal fitness trainers not only to improve the overall quality of the profession, but to confirm the safety of those they work with and care for.” 

Thomson Prometric has thousands of computer-based testing and assessment centers worldwide, giving testing candidates easy access and flexible appointment scheduling. Each Thomson Prometric testing center maintains up-to-date equipment and professional staff. To ensure the integrity of the testing experience, positive identification procedures are managed by trained personnel. In addition, video, audio and real-time monitoring, mirrors, image capturing and fingerprinting help to ensure the integrity of the test taking experience and exam outcomes.

About The Thomson Corporation and Thomson Prometric
The Thomson Corporation (http://www.thomson.com/), with 2003 revenues of $7.6 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 training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare.  With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 39,000 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). Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions, corporations and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning. Thomson Prometric (www.prometric.com) is the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services for academic, professional, government, corporate and information technology markets.   Thomson Prometric delivers standardized tests for 300 clients, in 26 languages, over the Web or through a global network of testing centers in 134 countries. Based in Baltimore, Md., Thomson Prometric employs 3,000 employees worldwide.

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