Thomson Prometric, a part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), and ETS (Educational Testing Service), has announced a contract extension worth more than $1 billion over 12 years under which Thomson Prometric will continue to provide computer-based testing services to ETS.

The contract extension period, which runs to December 2017, provides for the delivery of computer-based assessments utilizing Thomson Prometric's extensive global network of testing centers and assessment and research expertise from ETS, the world's largest private educational testing and measurement organization. This contract also extends Prometric's 11-year history as the primary electronic test delivery service provider to ETS.

"The most exciting aspect of our strategic relationship is the enhanced level of service it will bring to our customers," said Kurt Landgraf, President and CEO of ETS. By combining our complementary capabilities and leveraging our intellectual capital, we hope to expand our already comprehensive testing services worldwide.

ETS and Thomson Prometric have been involved in a long-term collaboration, bringing together Thomson e-testing capabilities with ETS research expertise to build one of the most sophisticated assessment delivery solutions in the testing marketplace. These solutions include ETS's new Internet-based testing platform, which are Web-based applications delivered through a network of Prometric testing centers, representing an expanded footprint designed to increase test-taker access in markets across the globe.

Partner Glynn D. Key represented ETS in this transaction.