Kaplan SAT test prep coming to Nintendo DS

27 Comments by Ross Miller Apr 14th 2008 9:30AM
Filed under: Nintendo DS, Mac, PC

Kaplan, Inc. has teamed with Aspyr Media to create an SAT prep game for the Nintendo DS, according to Newsweek. Versions are also on their way to PC and Mac, where the test prep software is already fairly common.

The project is early in development and does not yet have a name. Newsweek reports that it was Aspyr who pitched the idea to Kaplan. If this is a success, can we get a DS game to help us understand Special Relativity? Perhaps we can get Professor Layton or perhaps even Wario as our virtual teacher.

Tags: aspyr, aspyr-media, college, education, edutainment, saplan, sat, student, test-prep

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

Joshua Earles-Bennett: Apr 14th 2008; 9:40AM

This sounds cool, but then again what if the user starts associating answering SAT questions with a DS and when the user takes the real test doesn't understand how to properly answer the questions.

SoulBlade: Apr 14th 2008; 9:54AM

Something tells me that person has bigger issues to worry about besides the SAT. Hopefully anybody who buys it knows what they're getting and how to use/apply it.

Ysleiro: Apr 14th 2008; 10:36AM

While I do agree that gaming can be VERY good for teaching.

I have to say that I F***ing hate SATs.

The SAT is a poor system for determining an individual's potential. It' main flaw is that it's tied in to an individual's test taking skills wich has nothing to do with their true potential. A person can be a great student, responsible and hard working but a horrible test taker. What then?

SATs are very unfair to the poor in our society. How many great young minds can't go to the college of choice because of some dumb system that needs re-thinking?

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force): Apr 14th 2008; 11:10AM

Maybe but there are limits.

Here in UK they've stopped Speaking Exams for French and German because apparently they were "too stressful" for students.They also slashed the papers to a fucking "checklist".

The Educational System in this country is a fucking piss-take.

rv: Apr 14th 2008; 11:30AM

Fuck the sat, act all the way. I kept fucking up the sat, but had a near perfect act (35/36) so I just used that.

GRANTED: Apr 14th 2008; 11:40AM

ysleiro,

that's why most colleges (good ones) put less emphasis on SAT/ACT scores and more on grades and extracurriculars.

the only standardized test that really counts a lot is the LSAT.

markhill66: Apr 14th 2008; 9:44AM

When I took the SAT there was a question about the mating habits of Pokemon. If only Diamond had come out 4 years ealier I wouldn't have had to go to Gudger College.

WiNG: Apr 14th 2008; 9:46AM

Moar liek KRAPLAN amirite?

(sorry, it's a Princeton Review thing)

richard: Apr 14th 2008; 11:41AM

Princeton Review FTW!
They gave me a free hat and everything.

GRANTED: Apr 14th 2008; 9:55AM

i taught mcat for kaplan for a few months, and there's a sh**load of stuff they teach beyond how to answer the questions correctly. test taking strategies are going to be hard to teach with the DS alone. i think it would still need a companion book for early work, but the later-stage test prep (mostly practice tests) would be wonderful to take on the road, metro, etc.

the DS is really the best tool for this, because it allows you to use one screen for working out the problem with a (pencil-on-paper style) and the other screen to view the problem and choose an answer.

this has the potential to be the best thing since flashcards for standardized test studying. hope there's something out like this for the usmle in a few years!

Dauragon88: Apr 14th 2008; 9:56AM

hahahah this just had to come out 2 years after I took the SATs xD

OMGOMG: Apr 14th 2008; 10:36AM

SAT? You mean Stupid Ass Test?

HAHA! You see what I did?

WiNG: Apr 14th 2008; 11:43AM

Produced by the Evil Testing Scum?

Jason: Apr 14th 2008; 10:44AM

I haven't taken the test in about 16 years, but I have to say that I'd still seriously consider buying this game.

It should help your vocabulary and sharpen your arithmetic skills. There's nothing wrong with that.

Gabriel: Apr 14th 2008; 11:42AM

Wow. I work for Kaplan and I had no idea we were doing this. I'm going to have to look into this. Maybe I can pay someone to let me work on it. Then I can say that I'm a game designer!

WiNG: Apr 14th 2008; 11:44AM

Sorry to hear you work for Kaplan.

Gabriel: Apr 14th 2008; 2:55PM

Kaplan isn't so bad. It's a laid back office. Very friendly atmosphere. No bosses screaming and yelling.

Redface: Apr 14th 2008; 1:16PM

and not a moment too soon!

/My SATs are in june.

Redface: Apr 14th 2008; 1:17PM

heh, it rhymed.

GekigangerV: Apr 14th 2008; 2:52PM

Interesting, it would be cool if Texas Instruments converted the software for their calculators and put it on the DS for $50 or so instead of having to pay $120 that they usually charge(at least for the graphing kind).

But then they probably wouldn't allow them in schools because of the WiFi capability, but it would be nice to have a cheaper alternative for the person who just wants a good graphing calculator.

Phillip: Apr 14th 2008; 3:25PM

Thats exactly what they need. And then someone can hack it some it can figure out integrals. Gawd I hate those things. Luckily I'm done with Math/Calculus forever. Thanks Accounting!!!

finnith: Apr 14th 2008; 3:53PM

That's right, LIVE THE DREAM!!!!

Kokomadeta: Apr 14th 2008; 4:13PM

Joystiq, the 'T' in 'SAT' stands for test. There's no need to say 'test' again.

WiNG: Apr 15th 2008; 10:00AM

CORRECTION:

Officially, "SAT" no longer stands for anything (ETS lost a lawsuit after being unable to prove the SAT tested "scholastic aptitude"). So, in effect, it is now de facto the "SAT Test."

Kokomadeta: Apr 16th 2008; 11:37PM

*Shooting star over my head* The more you know!

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