<p>I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was 5 years old. I have worked very hard to overcome this without special accomedations. I am very proud of the work I have done and am in the top 4% of my class. However, I smiply take longer on tests, but did not want to ask for extra time. Will my score be looked at differently? My GC mentioned in my rec that I didnt use the time.</p>
<p>You're officially the envy of every ACT test-taker that hasn't scored a 36. </p>
<p>Timing plays a huge factor in the ACT test. If time were unlimited, even if time were extended by twenty minutes for each test, the ACT's mean composite score would shoot through the roof. Simply put, you have a very limited amount of time to answer each question. </p>
<p>While taking the test with extended time, which I believe means triple the amount of time for each test, may leave you feeling inferior to your competitors, there is a good reason why it shouldn't matter: colleges will never know that you took the test under a special provision. </p>
<p>Some people may think of this practice as BS, but it's the stone-hard reality of both the ACT and SAT tests. And it's something that you should take full advantage of.</p>
<p>P.S. I just reread the part in which you said that "My GC mentioned in my rec that I didnt use the time."</p>
<p>P.S.S. DO NOT LISTEN TO YOUR GC...if he/she wanted the best for, he/she would have told you to take the extended time.</p>
<p>Go for the extended time if you genuinely feel you need it, screw what your GC wants...this is about YOU, and no one else.</p>
<p>yea, definitely the extended time.....</p>
<p>Hi hec2008,</p>
<p>I don't think that adcoms will weight your score in either direction as a result of your dyslexia; they'll likely take it at face value, since you chose not to use the extra time.</p>
<p>I just want to clarify: you don't have a chance to retake with extra time, do you? Are you asking whether you should use the extra time, or just how your score will be perceived?</p>
<p>I would definitely recommend having the extended time available to you in case you need it. By law, ACT can not disclose that you took the test under special conditions. Schools will only know if you or your counselor inform them.
The standard amount of extended time granted is 50% additional time.
And be forewarned it can be difficult to obtain the privilege, even with a very well documented need. By our experience SAT granted extended-time immediately and easily upon request of the high school counselor. ACT took three appeals before it was granted. Good luck, but it was worth it for my son, he used all the time given.</p>
<p>Get the extended time.</p>
<p>ACT:
If you get time X 1.5 and/or large print testing materials, a national testing center will accomodate you. You will take the test on a Saturday. It will show up as "NATIONAL" testing, just like any other applicant, and you should be able to get your scores online.</p>
<p>If you apply for more time and recieve it, or recieve some sort of other accomodation (scribe, computer usage, audio test, etc.), you will be tested within a window: from the Monday following the national test to two weeks later. Testing Information Release is not availible for purchase on these tests. You will test at your own school, or a very nearby one that can accomodate you (usually your own). These tests are not flagged with "DYSLEXIA" or anything like that, but do show up as "ARRANGED" instead of national. Scores are not availible online for arranged/special testing.</p>
<p>You apply for accomodations on a test-by-test basis, and it's easier than the SAT (to get accomodations, I mean) for this reason. You have to do it a few weeks in advance, and you can't take 2 tests within 60 days.</p>
<p>SAT</p>
<p>Similar stuff with testing. National accomodates the same testing as the ACT does nationally. No flagging at all is used.</p>
<p>If you test with different or longer accomodations, you take the test on the Monday after the national test date. Question and Answer service is only open for purchase for the May test date. </p>
<p>SAT accomodations are good for the duration of your HS career, unless you are declassified or move to another school (you'd have to reapply or lose accomodations). They are very finicky. They take weeks to do it. My GC suggests you start applying at the beginning of Sophmore year (it CAN take a year, I'm told- they reject kids for seemingly no reason).</p>
<p>They'll probably be some testing needed by a professional (usually, your school will have someone with the necessary credentials- you'll want a test to show that you're dyslexic, and some sort of test to measure your processing speed to support this).</p>
<p>I think the OP is a senior and is applying to college this year. I don't think he's asking whether/how he should request extra time; it sounds to me like that's water under the bridge. I think he's just asking how his score will be perceived.</p>
<p>OP, am I right about that? Or are you a junior?</p>
<p>You're right, lotf629; I should have checked the original posters' post history and read the original post more closely.</p>
<p>To answer your question (correctly), no, they shouldn't suspect your scores- if you really want to bring up that you have no accommodations in the additional info section (for standardized tests), you could.</p>
<p>loft is right. I have already taken the test and have chosen out of personal stubborness not to take any extra time :) It probably was a mistake, but after I was diganoised I told myself that I wasn't going to get any help in the real world and I should learn now to compensate. School has never been in issue simply becuase I have learned to accomdate for my circumstances. ( i can't spell at all but that's what the computers for). I don't not to sound arrogant but I have worked very hard and will graduate 1st in my class. However, my scores don't conicide with my grades (3.97 GPA, 30 ACT). Will my scores be looked upon differently bc of my LD or will the discrepency be questionable?</p>
<p>if you have a problem the extra time does not give you an advantage. It takes away your disadvantage and brings you up to the standard of people without those problems. Thus, take the extra time so that you are not disadvantaged.</p>
<p>Its not really an option now. I think that is pretty clear and not really my question. I decided a long time ago I wasn't going to do that in any way not just on the SAT/ACT.</p>
<p>anyone else?</p>