Acquisition

Pearson PLC
24 January 2008

24 January 2008

PEARSON'S ACQUISITION OF HARCOURT ASSESSMENT CLEARED BY U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Pearson, the international education and information company, today announces
that its purchase of the Harcourt Assessment business from Reed Elsevier has
received clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice.   The transaction is
expected to be completed on 28 January 2008.

As a condition for approval, Pearson will divest up to three diagnostic
assessment tests and one further test in development.

Pearson announced on 4 May 2007 that it had agreed to acquire Harcourt
Assessment and Harcourt Education International from Reed Elsevier for $950
million in cash. The transaction extends Pearson's position as the world's
leading education company by adding new capabilities, complementary products and
international reach. The acquisition of Harcourt's international education
business was completed in 2007.

ENDS

For more information:

Luke Swanson/ Simon Mays-Smith/ Charles Goldsmith           [phone]


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