Today we’re looking at the different types of ACT and College Board disability accommodations (Remember, the College Board tests include the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, AND Advanced Placement Exams). You’ll be happy to hear that the application process for accommodations has been altered and streamlined as of this year, 2017, in response to complaints from previous years. The applications for the ACT and College Board accommodations are very similar, there are just a few differences. Let’s go through the info by category.
Process length: You can safely assume that the application and approval process will take around 2 months, so make sure that you plan accordingly based on when your child is trying to take each exam.
Types of Accommodations Provided: For the ACT, you can be eligible for National Extended Time, special testing that takes place at your child’s school, and new as of Fall 2017: English Learner Support for international / non-native English speakers (Look for more info on this particular accommodation in a future Blog!). For the SAT, you can also receive extended time and English Learner Support, as well as computer use for essays, extra and extended breaks, reading and seeing accommodations, or a Four-function calculator.
Documentation/Required proof: In order to prove that your child needs special accommodations, you are going to need a doctor’s diagnosis, as well as examples of accommodations that your child has had in school. If they have not received accommodations before, you must have well-explained reasoning describing why. ACT specifies that the documentation you submit must be no older than 3 years, one year for psychiatric disorders.
An exhaustive list of specific disorders and documentation for ACT can be found here:
An exhaustive list of specific disorders and documentation for SAT can be found here:
Reciprocity/how long accommodation approval lasts: For the ACT, you must resubmit your accommodation request each time you register for a test. For SAT/College Board, your accommodations remain in effect until one year after your high school graduation! This means that the accommodations can be used on the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, AND Advanced Placement Exams all with ONE submission!