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Requesting Testing Accommodations: When and How to Apply Almost all students, except home schoolers, will apply through their school counselor. The ACT requires that students to apply through the school. The SAT does allow you to apply without the involvement of the school, but, if you choose this path, the chances of approval are slim.
Generally speaking, both test companies have become less generous in awarding accommodations in recent years. Ideally, students seeking accommodations should apply as early as possible (end of sophomore year) to ensure ample time to appeal if the initial request is denied. Up-to-date diagnostic testing (within the last three years) is helpful for most applicants, and a necessity for recently diagnosed students or those who are not receiving accommodations in school.
If the test is coming up soon and a teen hasn’t yet applied, it’s important to act fast. The SAT requires accommodations applications to be filed about six weeks before the test. The ACT deadline is, roughly, a month prior to the test. If a student applies too late, there is no guarantee that the application will be reviewed before the test date. This is especially true for the most popular test dates: May, June, September, and October. Waiting to apply can make test prep challenging, as students don't know if they'll be taking the test with accommodations or not.
If you are denied accommodations on the first request, you have the option to appeal and provide further documentation. It is important that students appealing a denial NOT take the test. If a student does so and scores in the average range or better, that performance will hurt his or her chances of winning the appeal. Test companies are not interested in a student’s potential to score higher, as they don’t want to be perceived as awarding an “unfair advantage.”
Finally, remember that colleges will not know that a student took the test with accommodations. Many students (and parents) are fearful of the stigma that might be attached to the test results. Unless students choose to disclose that information on a college application, the admissions office will not have any information beyond the ACT and/or SAT scores.
For more in-depth information on accommodations and how to apply, visit the SAT and ACT websites.
Jenn Cohen is an online SAT/ACT tutor specializing in working with students with LD and AD/HD. You can find her on the web at satprepforadhd.com.
