Thomson Prometric and XStream Software Create Simulation Items to Test IT Abilities and Performance

Companies Strive to Ensure Availability of Unparalleled IT Skills and Talent

Baltimore, MD, 04/10/2006, Thomson Prometric, the global leader in testing and assessment services and part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), today announced its collaboration with XStream Software to enhance XStream’s Performance Analyzer technology and offer users real-life, interactive software scenarios that test their true applications skills and IT talent. By capitalizing on Thomson Prometric’s test development skills and testing network as well as XStream’s expertise in assessment technology, the partners have created a new class of simulation-based assessment items. The augmented test and items will be available through Thomson Prometric’s global testing network and accessible to IT test takers.

By customizing XStream’s advanced authoring software for the creation of simulation-based assessments, developers can now create Flash-based simulation items that better measure, score and track the user’s ability to perform specific application tasks.

“The usability of our Performance Analyzer technology as a broad assessment solution has been greatly enhanced by integration with Thomson Prometric, a leading exam delivery vendor,” says Sunil K. Sethi, XStream’s President and CEO. “Performance Analyzer’s simulation-based assessments, which mimic real-life scenarios and provide truly accurate measurements of a user’s IT skills and ability to perform critical tasks, can now be seamlessly deployed and delivered through Thomson Prometric’s proven global network of established testing centers.”

Simulation-based assessments are ideal for testing and evaluating a user’s hands-on knowledge of particular applications. By placing the user within a realistic, interactive software environment, the simulation-based tasks go beyond the limits of traditional multiple-choice based questions to gauge the user’s performance and responses in real-life situations.

“Part of Thomson Prometric’s mission is to improve testing capabilities and ensure that certifications are truly aligned with real-world needs,” said Paul Jones, PhD, Senior Psychometrician of Thomson Prometric. “We could not be more pleased with the development and accessibility of this new simulation development technology that will offer more test sponsors the option of testing both conceptual knowledge and practical skill.”

Additionally, Performance Analyzer makes it easy for program sponsors to create simulation items in their exams, as it is 100% programming-free, eliminating the need to have programmers on staff. Customers will now have the flexibility of more easily creating exams that contain a combination of question-based and simulation-based task items.

About 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 131 countries as well as directly to candidates via the Web.

About XStream Software, Inc.

XStream Software Inc., a 6x brandon-hall.com award winner and a winner of several other prestigious awards, is an ISO-certified software/hardware development, services and sales organization. The company specializes in the research, design, development, marketing, sales and distribution of world class knowledge transfer (KT) products and services, which encompass (but are not limited to) e-Learning, communication and collaboration, learning management, content and media management, and advanced sharing and exchange infrastructure. Related professional services offered by XStream include instructional design, content development, training delivery (both instructor led and web-based), systems implementation, mentoring and facilitation, and more. In addition, XStream offers technology transfer (TT) and design services encompassing blended sourcing services in the areas of research, design, development and implementation of custom hardware/software and embedded systems technologies. XStream has a base of 2,500+ corporate clients that use its products and services in small, mid-size, and large implementations spanning such industry domains as finance, banking and insurance, manufacturing, high technology, government and the military, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, utilities, retail and food services, as well as professional associations in multiple sectors.

To learn more, please visit www.xstreamsoftware.com, or call 613-731-9443, or send an e-mail to info@xstreamsoftware.com.

Contact Information

Adam Gaber

Senior Director, Public Relations

Thomson Learning

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