BenchPrep Launches the World’s First Cross-Platform App for Interactive Education and Test Prep Content

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BenchPrep, formerly known as Watermelon Express, today announced the official launch of the world’s first cross-platform test prep and learning app for the Web, iPhone, iPad and Android.

“More importantly with BenchPrep, you can study whenever you want, wherever you are – on the bus, on a train, in a library, even online.”

BenchPrep’s ground breaking cross-platform experience allows users to download the free BenchPrep app on any of their devices, purchase study content across dozens of disciplines, and study using a robust, interactive, and social interface. This constant access to educational content means that BenchPrep users are able to do things like start a practice test on an iPhone, finish it on an iPad, and review the answers later on the Web.

BenchPrep is partnering with best-in-class educational publishers – including McGraw Hill, John Wiley (CliffNotes titles), Cengage Learning and Learning Express – to deliver content to students in a fun and engaging way. Today more than 150,000 students in 20 countries have used their apps to study for leading standardized tests such as the SAT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, and MCAT.

In addition to the ability to read review material, take practice tests, study digital flash cards and access customized progress reports that make for a productive and focused study experience, BenchPrep users can chat with other users real-time who are studying the same subject and compare their performance real-time with their friends.

Soon students will have access to a number of advanced social and study management tools that will provide an even more comprehensive, collaborative and effective learning experience. These include:

Social Q&A: Users can post questions on material that are answered by their peers, tutors and other content experts.
Public notes: Students can post and access helpful notes on review material and practice questions, including additional study resources and tips to learn concepts more effectively.
Study Plans: Users can set a study schedule and set up alerts and notifications to stay motivated and organized.
Rewards & Leaderboards: Students can track performance and compete against their peers to gain rewards and establish credibility within the app.

“Studying from a test preparation textbook, be it paper or digital, is typically a boring, one-dimensional experience,” explained Ashish Rangnekar, co-founder of BenchPrep. “BenchPrep app is much more than an ebook reader; it creates a rich, truly interactive learning experience. It does this by breaking down the content into interactive modules and wrapping many social and data analysis components, so that learning is not just between the student and the material but allows students to connect with their peers, educators, and experts,” he said. “More importantly with BenchPrep, you can study whenever you want, wherever you are – on the bus, on a train, in a library, even online.”

BenchPrep is rapidly expanding into dozens of new subjects, including law, medicine, physical sciences and project management. This breadth of content means that users can turn to the app repeatedly throughout the course of their education and career.

“With BenchPrep, the same student will be able to study her high school math lessons, prepare for the SAT as a high school senior, work on economics flashcards as an undergraduate student, get extra practice on the verbal section of the LSAT, and master concepts in preparation for the Bar exam. The vision of BenchPrep is to represent a continued, trusted source of educational and professional opportunity throughout a user’s lifetime,” said co-founder Ujjwal Gupta.

To find out more about BenchPrep or download the BenchPrep app, visit http://www.benchprep.com.

About BenchPrep

BenchPrep (formerly Watermelon Express) is the world’s first content delivery and cross-platform study application that allows students to buy educational and test prep content from leading publishers from one central hub. BenchPrep apps are available for iPhone, iPad, Android, and the Web, and allow users to seamlessly study across all devices.

BenchPrep is backed by Lightbank, a venture fund started by Eric Lefkofsky and Brad Keywell. The company was voted “most innovative and best-in-class test prep and assessment platform” at the 2010 Education Innovation Summit and won the 2010 New Venture Challenge competition at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Since 2009, more than 150,000 students across 20 countries have used BenchPrep products.