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Paige Vesuvio
Vice President, Global Marketing
Thomson Prometric
443-923-8690
paige.vesuvio@thomson.com
Adam Gaber
Senior Director, Public Relations
Thomson Learning
203-539-8663
adam.gaber@thomson.com
Thomson Prometric Announces New Contract with the Internal Revenue Service
Baltimore, MD – April 13, 2006 - Thomson Prometric, the global leader in assessment services, and part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), today announced a 10-year, $12.5 million contract with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to develop and administer its Special Enrollment Exam via a computer-based format. The agreement calls for Thomson Prometric to provide comprehensive test design and delivery services for the exams delivered annually throughout North America and other parts of the world.
By working with Thomson Prometric, the IRS intends to make the test taking process more accessible to test takers. Currently the exam consists of four separate tests administered over a two-day period in a paper and pencil format. Thomson Prometric will use job analysis techniques to develop psychometrically sound assessments in order to convert the test to a computer-based format. Test takers can now spread the test taking experience over a longer period of time adding to their convenience and improving access. Thomson Prometric will develop multiple test forms to minimize test item exposure and will provide a highly secure environment in its testing centers. The exam will be administered at Thomson Prometric’s test centers and be available internationally in many of Thomson Prometric’s 3000 locations during the life of the contract. The new test format will be delivered during the fourth quarter of this year.
“The Special Enrollment Exam is the only professional credential in taxation issued at the federal level. As such, it is a critically important test, the taking of which can be highly stressful to candidates,” said Michael Brannick, president, Thomson Prometric. “We applaud the IRS’s goal of easing the burden on candidates by making the test-taking process more flexible and accessible to takers. We are also honored that the Service chose us to help ensure the security and integrity of this vital exam.”
The Special Enrollment Exam tests candidates’ understanding of tax laws and regulations. Tax professionals who pass the exam can represent taxpayers before the IRS. With the move to computer-based testing, candidates will be able to take the exam during an eight-week period held 4 times during each year, providing candidates with more convenience and flexibility. Candidates will not be required to take all parts of the exam in the same sitting and parts passed carry over to the next sitting. Applications for the fall administration will be available in July 2006 at www.prometric.com/IRS
"The Special Enrollment Exam plays a critical role in ensuring that individuals who represent taxpayers before the IRS have the knowledge they need," said Stephen Whitlock, acting Director of the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility. "The new computer-based exam will not only continue to serve this role, but also provide greater flexibility and convenience to candidates."
About The Thomson Corporation and Thomson Prometric
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2005 revenues of $8.70 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 40,000 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). 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 more than 130 countries as well as direct to candidates via the Web.
