<p>I considered applying for extended time on the ACT due to my ADHD. My friends are arguing it's unfair just because I am highly intelligent, but I argue that it has given me problems and impeded my ability to read under pressure and little time. I can't focus. I said that why should I get less chances for top-tier education just because i score a few points lower because of an awful reading score. I've been diagnosed multiple times and used to take 72 mg (max) of medication to help, but i got off of it to try to deal with it and wing off of it into adulthood. What do you think? </p>
<p>This should keep you busy for awhile:</p>
<p><a href=“Abusing Extra Time for SAT/ACT - Applying to College - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1590003-abusing-extra-time-for-sat-act-p1.html</a></p>
<p>I was diagnosed early on though at age 6 and rediagnosed multiple times. Just to let you all know before you answer. </p>
<p>I believe that it is extremely unfair for one to get an extended time on the ACT/SAT just because one has a learning/focusing disability. We all get nervous when we take tests, and we also go under pressure that impedes our ability to take test efficiently, so why should you get a special treatment? </p>
<p>Do you get an extended amount of time for every tests that you have to take at your school? If not, then why should you for this test? Are you just making an excuse so that you can score higher? Are you going to ask for extra time on exams during your college year as well?</p>
<p>No matter how intelligent you are, if your ADHD is an impediment to maximizing your performance on the ACT, you should apply for the extra time–you’re entitled to it. But you should also be taking medication if you need it to perform optimally–there’s no such thing as “dealing with it” or winging it into adulthood". ADHD isn’t something you can overcome through sheer will. And stop discussing this subject with your friends. It’s none of their business, and they aren’t experts and have nothing of value to offer anyway.</p>
<p>As for comments like the ones from @Spirral above–pay no attention; equating ADHD with being nervous when taking tests just shows complete ignorance of the impact of this disability. </p>
<p>If you qualify for an extension, take it. This isn’t any of your friend’s business and you shouldn’t discuss it with them. This is to discuss with your parent’s and your GC. What MommaJ said.</p>
<p>Exactly. If you really think your ADHD is affecting your performance, you should try to get the extension and let them decide whether you qualify for it.</p>
<p>I agree, discuss this with your parents/GC/professional that diagnosed you. They will know what is appropriate. Your peers have no say in this.</p>
<p>@MommaJay</p>
<p>OP shouldn’t take ACT if he/she is diagnosed with such disability. ACT is a type of test that tests your SPEED. I believe that OP should take SAT, instead of ACT, if he/she requires extra time, since SAT is relatively more relaxed in terms of time compared to the ACT.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the replies. My feeling is that I’ve always been associated in that high-achieving, intelligent class of people you would think usually go to top-tier schools, but focusing on this one test is what has given me the most trouble. Especially in math and science, I tend to have what is called a “hyperfocus”. Many ADHD kids have this, and it actually allows them to engage more deeply in the things they enjoy. I would like to score in the 32-35 range, and I think an extension would allow me to do this and optimize my score at what my true potential is. </p>
<p>Here is the bottom line answer (try not to listen to people’s comments who don’'t know you or your situation)-- you are welcome to apply for ACT or SAT accommodations – they are very very strict these days – so if you can get approved, then it will probably be worthwhile. From what I have experienced with my own son and other kids I know, your diagnosis needs to be at an early age (yours is), specific diagnose codes, history of medication and/or therapy helps, and most importantly, they want a letter from your school indicating that you have needed these same accommodations during your high school classes to achieve your current grades in order to qualify. If you can earn good grades without accommodations, it is less likely you will receive accommodations – without an extensive appeal process and a fight on your hands.</p>
<p>I haven’t needed accommodations in school, but I also have had a reputation of getting into trouble and not staying on task a lot. A couple of my teachers can easily attest to my lack of focus </p>
<p>I get good grades, but on some stuff, especially english and history, i zone out a lot and have to spend all night just rereading things, and then I eventually fall asleep. I can’t focus oftentimes. </p>
<p>Sorry for the triple post, but we also have an extremely easy English and history curriculum </p>
<p>@spirral Most people do get nervous, but it’s not the same for everybody. I have general anxiety and social anxiety. I also worry a lot. I get nervous at almost anything. I’m scared to look at certain e-mails. I never had a panic attack though <em>knock on wood</em>. Honestly, if you don’t have a mental disorder you shouldn’t be labeling it as something you can easily get over, how everybody is that way sometimes, or how they shouldn’t get special treatment 'cause you don’t know what it’s like. I just had to reply because this really hit me. </p>
<p>@OP. Based on what you describe and the tighter requirements, I don’t think you’ll get special consideration. But you should speak candidly with your GC about this. If you don’t get accommodations then you need to work up a strategy. Otherwise, your performance will lead you to less than desired results.</p>
<p>I got a 24 on the last ACT, 32 english 27 math 19 reading 19 science. and I tried hard but constantly during the reading, i couldnt stop thinking about random things. I just couldn’t focus for crap. And it’s like that when I read a lot of literature or things in a history. My 3.996 GPA with the most rigorous classes at my school doesn’t seem to reflect my scores, while kids with 3.7s get 30s and so because of high reading scores and stuff. The thing is, my teachers don’t know I have spent hours reading just a few chapters at home because i read 50 pages and then dont even remember what i read, so i’ve never been given accommodations.</p>
<p>And our school English is so easy that even the dumb kids get good grades I think, and we never have had reading tests really, just short couple question quizzes over reading we’ve done days before. Our history quizzes are RIDICULOUSLY easy, so why would I have ever needed accommodation? Even if I did score an average grade (C), I’m the type of person that would just accept it normally, but in this case, I can’t just accept something that will knock me out of schools I feel I could succeed in.</p>
<p>My son has ADHD as well as 3 learning disorders. He requested and got extended time in both the SAT and the ACT. He had an IEP in high school which allowed for additional time for testing in school. Without having had an IEP you will not get the extension. SAT was pretty easy to get but ACT was hard. Very strict requirements including you must have a professional diagnosis within 2 years and submit proof. He is now a freshman in college and they have a disability resource center where he has appllied (and received) extra time in college. He hasn’t used it yet and doesn’t want to but knows he can if he needs to. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>I do have professional diagnoses, at multiple ages. One at age 8 and one within the last year. The reason I didn’t need accommodations in school is because I take a lot of math and science classes, so I have a “hyperfocus” in those, because I am interested. If I had more social science, english type classes, I would definitely need some accommodation, but I don’t, because I’ve avoided them.</p>