As Students Prioritize Test Prep, a Free Solution Proves Transformative

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that the unemployment rate for recent graduates has increased to 5.8 percent since last year. Students are taking notice — according to a Kaplan 2024 survey, three-quarters of high school students looking at colleges say services to help with postgraduate education and careers are among the most important things they look for in a school.

At the same time, professional opportunities increasingly require advanced degrees, credentials, and licensing exams. The high costs of test prep — thousands of dollars per exam — create barriers for many students pursuing these opportunities. This is especially true for low income, first-generation, or rural students, and those managing other life commitments.

To address this challenge, universities are exploring innovative approaches to provide comprehensive test prep access. One model allows institutions to offer their entire student body access to test prep and professional development resources at scale. While individual schools have implemented such programs, Illinois’s statewide initiative in partnership with Kaplan illustrates how broader collaboration can amplify impact across diverse institutional contexts.

In a recent Kaplan webinar, Illinois institutions shared early results from a pioneering statewide initiative. Their experiences illuminate both the challenges students face and promising solutions that other states and institutions can learn from.

Breaking Down Barriers: Early Success of the Illinois Initiative

Brittany Wampler, who oversees the implementation of Kaplan’s All Access License^™, explained during the webinar, “My career mission is breaking down the barriers that students experience on their track towards success. We are trying to lessen or eliminate the hidden costs of higher education so that students can get to where they want to go.”

It’s happening. Just three months after launch, the Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program has impacted the state’s diverse higher education landscape. Over 4,000 students have enrolled in nearly 5,000 courses, representing over $9 million in cost savings for students across participating institutions.

“Many of our students are worrying about having food to eat, not about paying for test prep,” said Eric Zarnikow, executive director of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, during the recent webinar. “They’re focused on buying books and having a place to live. This program removes one more barrier to their success.”

The initiative is designed to meet students where they are, providing comprehensive support across all major professional pathways:

• Graduate school entrance exam prep (MCAT^®, LSAT^®, etc.)

• Professional licensing exam prep

• Career development courses and certifications

• Project-management certifications

• “Confident New Hire” transition programs

• Academic skills development courses

“It has really been embraced by the schools because they see the opportunity it provides for their students,” said Zarnikow during the webinar. “I’ve received multiple comments like ‘This is something we have always wanted for our students but we couldn’t afford it as a school, and most of our students couldn’t afford it for themselves.’”

» Related News: Illinois Student Assistance Commission and Kaplan Announce Free Test Prep Courses

Creating New Professional Pathways

Statewide, institutions in Illinois are tailoring resources to meet their distinct student populations and career-preparation needs. At Malcolm X College, the program emphasizes developing students’ professional identity alongside their technical skills. During the webinar, President David Sanders explained, “Students need answers to questions like, ‘How do I operate in a corporate environment?’ and ‘How does my voice count?’”

The program also expands students’ career horizons at Chicago State University. Dean of Student Success Dr. Nayshon T. Mosley-Milford shared an illustrative example: “I was talking to a student who’s really interested in going to law school. Now she has the resources to practice for the LSAT and make law school a reality for herself.”

At the University of Illinois Springfield, students are taking advantage of the program’s professional certification offerings alongside test prep resources. “Our students really like the idea of certifications… [T]he one in project management is huge,” Dr. Jorge Villegas noted during the webinar. “I think it’s because our students are realizing that getting the first job is not going to be that easy this year in particular — this year is going to be a difficult market for many of [them].”

» Related News: Fast Company Names Kaplan’s All Access License^™ as a Winner in its 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards

Addressing Workforce Development Through Educational Access

The Illinois initiative’s early success in expanding professional pathways offers insights for other states and institutions grappling with critical workforce shortages, particularly in fields like healthcare and education. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, healthcare, information technology, and renewable energy sectors will see the highest demand through 2033. By removing financial barriers to professional credentials and advanced degrees, universities can help build talent pipelines in these high-demand fields.

The impact extends beyond individual career advancement:

• Universities gain powerful tools to support students pursuing certifications, graduate degrees, and professional licenses.

• The program opens doors for students who might otherwise be left behind, especially low income, first-generation, and rural learners.

• These initiatives help fill critical workforce gaps in fields like healthcare and education.

• Institutions become more attractive to students who prioritize career readiness.

Gregory Marino, chief executive officer of Kaplan North America, notes, “Providing free access to our comprehensive suite of test prep and career development resources will help aspiring professionals thrive and lift up their communities.” This model of expanded test preparation access represents a promising approach for any institution or state looking to strengthen workforce development while creating more equitable pathways to professional success.

Ready to set your students on the path to a successful future? Find out how Kaplan's All Access License^™ can help.