<p>Would it be bad to take the ACT 4 times using extended time? My biggest problem on the ACT has been the Math section, so I've taken the test twice and it hasn't gotten that much better.</p>
<p>Also, will schools know whether or not I used extended time? Does the ACT have a limit on how many times you may test using extended time?</p>
<p>1.) It is illegal for the College Board or the ACT folks to reveal that tests were given with extended time. Period. End of story. </p>
<p>2.) Traditionally, the ACT has had score choice, so you could choose to reveal only those sittings of the ACT that you chose to reveal. In other words, if you took the ACT 48 times and told the ACT folks to send only sitting #38 to colleges, that is the only score colleges would see, and they would have no idea about the other 47 sittings. (This applies both to students who take the ACT in the usual time frame and to students who take it with extended time.)</p>
<p>3.) Keep in mind that after the CB instituted something that looks a lot like score choice, some colleges have said that they want to know about every sitting of every test. You would be wise to see what the colleges that interest you say about that.</p>
<p>4.) Maybe it would be a good idea to work with a tutor on ACT math briefly before you take the test again. This way, if you’re having the same problem and it’s pulling down your score again and again, you could get to the bottom of it and, if possible, fix it.</p>
<p>Thanks for your response.</p>
<p>My problem is I have an LD in Math and my math score has gone up a little bit. I’m planning to re-take in Sept. and Oct., but I’m not sure if testing in Sept. would be a good idea with a little over a month left to prepare (not sure if that’s enough time).</p>
<p>sushi, Do you live near a university? I called a local univ. math dept. and found someone to tutor my daughter in math, as that was her lowest score. I bought the REAL ACT test guide and that’s what they are using. Even if you can meet 6 times, for an hour, between now and the Sept. date, you could improve.</p>
<p>I absolutely agree with toledo that even in this short time frame, improvement is possible. With the ACT, part of the issue is being able to do the math, and the other part is having a good approach to the test and understanding test-taking techniques that will save you time. </p>
<p>We decided to go with a tutor who was very familiar with the ACT, explaining to the head of the tutoring company that we had a kid with an LD who needed a flexible tutor who understood LD’s and wouldn’t try to get the kid to use techniques that wouldn’t work for him. We ended up with a very experienced tutor who had worked with other LD students. And it didn’t take a whole lot of tutoring to be helpful.</p>
<p>My child has only just been diagnosed with ADHD and cognitive learning disabilities. Her school is telling us they need up to 7 mos. in order to classify her as a 504 plan and can not sign off on the form for providing what ACT needs to qualify for Extended time.</p>
<p>The application for Extended time has an Exception to that documentation being available. As long as I have the requested documentation from Drs. and Learning Centers, doesn’t that qualify my child for extended time with Exceptions?</p>
<p>Seven months sounds like too long to wait. You need some type of advocate. It could be a dr., someone from a learning center, a counselor, another parent of a student who receives accomodations, or an attorney. And from what I understand, a 504 is not nearly as good as an IEP.</p>
<p>The school wants to do take the 7 mos. to do the IEP before classifying for the 504. How long would be a reasonable amount of time to get the IEP and/or the 504?</p>
<p>It’s been a few years since we’ve gone through the process, but I’m guessing it took about 2 months at the very longest. It took one month for the initial meeting, with all my daughter’s teachers, the school psychologist, the school counselor, etc. Everyone made recommendations and then it took a few weeks to put the IEP on paper so I could sign off on it.</p>
<p>Seven months is almost an entire school year.</p>
<p>I have two questions about Extended time</p>
<p>1)Extended time National Testing and Special Testing, the differences as far as accomodations and reporting scores to the colleges.</p>
<p>2) The statement about Exceptions. " Attach a signed statement on school letterhead from a qualified professional (on staff at the school or school district) who has reviewed the student’s file to : 1) state under what circumstances extended time would be permitted for this student in school and the basis for providing that accomodation (include complete documentation–see “Guidelines for Documentation” on page 1; 2) explain why extended time is not currently provided; 3) explain why you believe extended time should be allowed on the ACT; 4) describe any assistance provided for this student outside of school, if known. Exceptions require addional time for review; please apply as early as possible."</p>
<p>Does this statement exempt the 504 Plan, IEP or official accomodations plan on file or plan that has been in place for less than 3 yrs?</p>
<p>I “think” what this exemption is saying, is that someone from the school must say why extra time is needed and why they haven’t been giving it. Your school could say that your student has a recent medical diagnosis, but it will take them several months to set up accomodations. Ideally, any 504 or IEP plan would alrealy have the “extended time” written into it.</p>
<p>Extended Time on National Testing dates is just what it says. It’s done in one day and it may all be time and a half. Any other variation may be what they call “special”.</p>
<p>My daughter is diagnosed with ADHD by a Dr. after having undergone psychoed. testing. She tried to take the SAT and ACT without an exception but had issues with timing and fixation, all the typical problems with this diagnosis. How can we obtain extended time for her to take the ACT? Please help.</p>
<p>I do not know when your daughter would like to take the ACT, but your first step would be to contact her school and ask for a 504 meeting. A 504 is a legal document that states your daughter needs accommodations to access her education. One of the accommodations would be extra time for exams. I have read here on CC that obtaining accommodations from the ACT folks is more difficult than for the SAT (College Board). I have also read on CC that students who have not had a 504 or IEP for a few years may be less likely to be approved for accommodations, again that is only anecdotal information and may not always be the case. I do know that to obtain accommodations for the SAT a large amount of information is required, including the 504 or IEP document, up to date testing (no older than 3 years), a letter from the student’s physician confirming the diagnosis and the need for the accommodations, as well as an observation by a current teacher.</p>
<p>You may have to fight the ACT people to get extended time; just be persistent, with lots of documentation.</p>
<p>For our son it was easy, since he’s had an IEP since the 3rd grade and was in an LD day school since 6th grade, and his school administered both the extended SAT and extended ACT. Collegeboard, who is notorious for losing tests, particularly those with extended time, are horrible to deal with and their tests, imo, are simply not geared to test the aptitude or capability of success at college of anyone.</p>
<p>My son didn’t do terribly on the SAT with extended time (at least in the general populations vs. the overachievers on CC), but excelled on the ACT, which sort of lines up with what the kids learn academically in HS.</p>
<p>My guess is, aside from his grades, the ACT is what got him into Berkeley. So yeah, I’d really push it.</p>
<p>I’m an SAT/ACT tutor who works primarily with ADHD/LD students. Accommodations are getting harder and harder to get, and newly diagnosed students will have significant trouble getting approved. The ACT in particular will almost certainly deny accommodations if the student does not already have an IEP/504 in place. Your daughter may have better luck applying to the SAT, but it’s still probably a long shot. </p>
<p>To apply, you’ll need to go through her school - usually her counselor. But as already noted, your first step is getting an IEP meeting scheduled. You don’t say how old your daughter is, but I sincerely hope it’s early in her high school career. Her chances of receiving accommodations are much greater the longer the IEP has been in place. Good luck to you both!</p>
<p>I am looking for a SAT tutor like yourself with ADD experience for my 10th grader who is in a current 504 plan and am in Southern California. Any recommendations, just signed up for College Confidential so this is my first post. Thank you!</p>
<p>My son was just granted accommodations on College Board tests. He has a vision disability, a calculation disorder, and type 1 diabetes. I’m thrilled that he got almost all the accommodations we requested. Feel free to PM me if you want details.</p>
<p>@californiaia PM’d you. Hope I can help.</p>
<p>I have ADD, and when I took the ACT without extended time, I got a 29. I asked for extended time the next month (while my college counselor threw a fit and told me I’d never get it) and got it. I got a 32 with extended time. Something I found interesting was that my Reading score jumped from a 29 to a 35.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why they approved me or what goes into the process. Maybe it is the fact that I was tested and approved for ADD at a very young age, so they know I am not faking it to get a leg up. I am sure that many folks these days try to “fake ADD” for these benefits based on what I am reading in the news and such.</p>