Adderall + Extra Time = Perfect Score

Test Preparation
1

<p>First off, Adderall is supposed to help you greatly in study situations and tests because it helps you focus. I don't want to take it if it harms me, but I actually might have ADD. I don't know. What do you think about it and have you taken it or anything? It sounds sort of mental to me. Like people just take it and think they can focus better because they have taken it. Some people say it actually helps though. </p>

<p>I also might want to get tested for extra time. What would be negative about it? Would colleges see if I got extra time and think less of my score for it, even if I score high. </p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>g0ldenboy</p>

2

<p>I don't think they give you extra time for ADD do they?
My friend has this joint problem and she doesn't get extra time. Instead, collegeboard gives her extra breaks.
Dunno about ADD though.</p>

3

<p>Well, I don't mean for ADD. I mean, I don't know if I have that, but I'm sure anyone could be diagnosed with a reading disability and get extra time. Any extra time would improve my scores, but would colleges see it as a bad thing?</p>

4

<p>Colleges used to find out, but now some stupid lawsuit has stopped this, which is a shame because more and more kids who don't need it are getting extended testing.</p>

5

<p>"Colleges used to find out, but now some stupid lawsuit has stopped this, which is a shame because more and more kids who don't need it are getting extended testing."</p>

<p>How is that a shame?</p>

6

<p>^Because some parents (I know one personally) now feel that since Colleges don't know about it, and you can get as long as you have a physcologist friend or some money, you can buy your kid extra time on the SATs...and it helps so much. I know a girl who's parents got it for her (and she had nothing wrong with her whatsoever) and her SATs jumped (old ones) from a 1290 to a 1510.</p>

7

<p>Yes, which is good for a person like me. I see how it can seem like the wrong thing to do though, and very unfair.</p>

8

<p>Hmm... I was diagnosed when I was like 7 with ADHD. I don't get any extra time, and I score around about 2350..... Now I am extremely melow and very well organized, though. I haven't been on pills for this problem since the 4th grade. Some students may still have problems with focusing and may need the medication and extra time. I do have a problem in school. I find all of the material to be so boring I just don't listen in class and daydream and figure it out later at home. I think the "ADD" problem could have just been their not realizing that I was not being challenged what-so-ever. I live in SD (South Dakota, not San Diego, even though their population is larger than ours) and we don't have enough students to have a "gifted" program or anything like that. In fact, until 9th grade I had all c's and d's. Since 9th grade I've gotten straight A's and I'm the valedictorian.</p>

9

<p>I think everyone today has ADD. Just due to society.</p>

10

<p>I kind of am the same as you are...</p>

<p>I haven't been diagnosed with ADD or anything, but think that it wouldn't hurt if I was, seeing that I could easily improve my scores in a second. </p>

<p>Sounds kind of like me. The only difference being that from K-6th Grade I had straight A's at a magnet school. But does everyone? I was in a gifted program all my elementary life. </p>

<p>I am also extremely melow and very well organized. I have some problems with focusing and do have a problem in school. I find all of the material to be so boring I just don't listen in class and daydream and figure it out later at home. I think the "ADD" problem could have just been their not realizing that I was not being challenged what-so-ever.</p>

11

<p>"I think everyone today has ADD. Just due to society."</p>

<p>True, everyone does. If ADD consists of not being able to focus when a teacher is blabbing on and on about completely mundane material, then everyone has it. Of course your mind is going to wander.</p>

12

<p>One doesn't get extra time for ADD/ADHD.
Both of my kids have ADD or ADHD. One scored 1410 on meds. One scored 1540 without meds.
And ADD/ADHD is far more than not focusing when teachers are rambling. Instead of making assumptions, take the time to find out the criteria for the disorder.</p>

<p>Only completely unethical therapists, couselors or doctors could be paid to diagnose nonexistant LDs or other disorders. Most clinicians and helping professionals are not like that. In fact, they'd throw parents out of their office for making such an offer.</p>

<p>One also can have Ritalin, more time, etc. and still not be guaranteed to make a perfect score.</p>

13

<p>ADD was invented by capitalists to sell pills..
And yes, drugs are bad..</p>

14

<p>I love drugs!</p>

15

<p>people with ADD, etc. are actually that much less capable of taking the test and i think that should reflect in our scores. otherwise, let all students take drugs.</p>

<p>you dont let short people take steroids in sports becaus they're short.. they're just less athletic and a test of athetlics should reflect that too.</p>

16

<p>"One doesn't get extra time for ADD/ADHD.
Both of my kids have ADD or ADHD. One scored 1410 on meds. One scored 1540 without meds.
And ADD/ADHD is far more than not focusing when teachers are rambling. Instead of making assumptions, take the time to find out the criteria for the disorder.</p>

<p>Only completely unethical therapists, couselors or doctors could be paid to diagnose nonexistant LDs or other disorders. Most clinicians and helping professionals are not like that. In fact, they'd throw parents out of their office for making such an offer.</p>

<p>One also can have Ritalin, more time, etc. and still not be guaranteed to make a perfect score."</p>

<p>We already established that ADD/ADHD kids do not get extra time (although other disorders can give you extra time). I also realize that kids with ADD/ADHD can do well on tests and such and I'm sure you're proud of your children. I also am not saying that I have ADD/ADHD. And ADD/ADHD isn't as defined of a disorder as you are saying above. Not being able to focus when teachers are rambling was just one example. I also definitely do not believe that clinicians will diagnose a person with any disorder so freely or with bribery. Other people said that. Still, I know many people that were diagnosed with such disorders without much medical evidence. And lastly, you must not take that title so seriously. I did not actually believe that extra time would guarantee you anything, although I am sure it is likely to improve something. Oh, and I have one of my two questions topics answered so far (colleges are not allowed to see if you had extra time). As for Adderall, well, no one here has mentioned it.</p>

<p>p.s. This wasn't meant to start a fight or anything (which I'm sure you wouldn't do), I just thought I'd like to clarify ideas that you mentioned.</p>

17

<p>Is it same to use Adderall once? And are they very good for all-nighters and increased concentration? Any major side effects?</p>

18

<p>^No, adderall should not be used for those purposes...use Red Bull for all nighters.</p>

19

<p>Adderall isn't over-the-counter. I don't use it, but I've heard about it. And, I disagree with this :
"
True, everyone does. If ADD consists of not being able to focus when a teacher is blabbing on and on about completely mundane material, then everyone has it. Of course your mind is going to wander."</p>

<p>Everyone does to an extent, yes, this is true. HOWEVER, people who are in a 90 minute class and don't listen or pay attention for even a minute of that 90 could probably be diagnosed with this. I've done lots of research on this subject. ADD and ADHD are usually classified as social disorders as well as learning disabilities. </p>

<p>Here are good symptoms:</p>

<p>Past History
1.__*History of ADHD symptoms in childhood, such as distractibility, short attention span, impulsivity or restlessness. ADHD doesn't start at age 30. </p>

<p>2.__History of not living up to potential in school or work (report cards with comments such as "not living up to potential") </p>

<p>3.__History of frequent behavior problems in school (mostly for males) </p>

<p>4.__History of bedwetting past age 5 </p>

<p>5.__Family history of ADHD , learning problems, mood disorders or substance abuse problems </p>

<p>Short Attention Span/Distractibility
6.__*Short attention span, unless very interested in something </p>

<p>7.__*Easily distracted, tendency to drift away (although at times can be hyperfocused) </p>

<p>8.__Lacks attention to detail, due to distractibility </p>

<p>9.__Trouble listening carefully to directions </p>

<p>10.__Frequently misplaces things </p>

<p>11.__Skips around while reading, or goes to the end first, trouble staying on track </p>

<p>12.__Difficulty learning new games, because it is hard to stay on track during directions </p>

<p>13.__Easily distracted during sex, causing frequent breaks or turn-offs during lovemaking </p>

<p>14.__Poor listening skills </p>

<p>15.__Tendency to be easily bored (tunes out) </p>

<p>Restlessness
16.__Restlessness, constant motion, legs moving, fidgeting </p>

<p>17.__Has to be moving in order to think </p>

<p>18.__Trouble sitting still, such as trouble sitting in one place for too long, sitting at a desk job for long periods, sitting through a movie </p>

<p>19.__An internal sense of anxiety or nervousness </p>

<p>Impulsivity
20.__Impulsive, in words and/or actions (spending) </p>

<p>21.__Say just what comes to mind without considering its impact (tactless) </p>

<p>22.__Trouble going through established channels, trouble following proper procedure, an attitude of "read the directions when all else fails" </p>

<p>23.__Impatient, low frustration tolerance </p>

<p>24.__A prisoner of the moment </p>

<p>25.__Frequent traffic violations </p>

<p>26.__Frequent, impulsive job changes </p>

<p>27.__Tendency to embarrass others </p>

<p>28.__Lying or stealing on impulse </p>

<p>Poor Organization
29.__Poor organization and planning, trouble maintaining an organized work/living area </p>

<p>30.__Chronically late or chronically in a hurry </p>

<p>31.__Often have piles of stuff </p>

<p>32.__Easily overwhelmed by tasks of daily living </p>

<p>33.__Poor financial management (late bills, check book a mess, spending unnecessary money on late fees) </p>

<p>Problems Getting Started and Following Through
34.__Chronic procrastination or trouble getting started </p>

<p>35.__Starting projects but not finishing them, poor follow through </p>

<p>36.__Enthusiastic beginnings but poor endings </p>

<p>37.__Spends excessive time at work because of inefficiencies </p>

<p>38.__Inconsistent work performance </p>

<p>Negative Internal Feelings
39.__Chronic sense of under achievement, feeling you should be much further along in your life than you are </p>

<p>40.__Chronic problems with self-esteem </p>

<p>41.__Sense of impending doom </p>

<p>42.__Mood swings </p>

<p>43.__Negativity </p>

<p>44.__Frequent feeling of demoralization or that things won't work out for you </p>

<p>Relational Difficulties
45.__Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships, promiscuity </p>

<p>46.__Trouble with intimacy </p>

<p>47.__Tendency to be immature </p>

<p>48.__Self-centered; immature interests </p>

<p>49.__Failure to see others' needs or activities as important </p>

<p>50.__Lack of talking in a relationship </p>

<p>51.__Verbally abusive to others </p>

<p>52.__Prone to hysterical outburst </p>

<p>53.__Avoids group activities </p>

<p>54.__Trouble with authority </p>

<p>Short Fuse
55.__Quick responses to slights that are real or imagined </p>

<p>56.__Rage outbursts, short fuse </p>

<p>Frequent Search For High Stimulation
57.__Frequent search for high stimulation (bungee jumping, gambling, race track, high stress jobs, ER doctors, doing many things at once, etc.) </p>

<p>58.__Tendency to seek conflict, be argumentative or to start disagreements for the fun of it </p>

<p>Tendency To Get Stuck (thoughts or behaviors)
59.__Tendency to worry needlessly and endlessly </p>

<p>60.__Tendency toward ADHD ictions (food, alcohol, drugs, work) </p>

<p>Switches Things Around
61.__Switches around numbers, letters or words </p>

<p>62.__Turn words around in conversations </p>

<p>Writing/Fine Motor Coordination Difficulties
63.__Poor writing skills (hard to get information from brain to pen) </p>

<p>64.__Poor handwriting, often prints </p>

<p>65.__Coordination difficulties </p>

<p>The Harder I Try The Worse It Gets
66.__Performance becomes worse under pressure. </p>

<p>67.__Test anxiety, or during tests your mind tends to go blank </p>

<p>68.__The harder you try, the worse it gets </p>

<p>69.__Work or schoolwork deteriorates under pressure </p>

<p>70.__Tendency to turn off or become stuck when asked questions in social situations </p>

<p>71.__Falls asleep or becomes tired while reading </p>

<p>Sleep/Wake Difficulties
72.__Difficulty falling asleep, may be due to too many thoughts at night </p>

<p>73.__Difficulty coming awake (may need coffee or other stimulant or activity before feeling fully awake) </p>

<p>Low Energy
74.__Periods of low energy, especially early in the morning and in the afternoon </p>

<p>75.__Frequently feeling tired </p>

<p>Sensitive To Noise Or Touch
76.__Startles easily </p>

<p>77.__Sensitive to touch, clothes, noise and light </p>

<p>Having had this (and still showing some symptoms, unfortunately) , I can say that I had a hard time talking to other children when I was younger, so much that I'd even studder b/c I was so nervous. Sometimes I would self-stimulate and be could be hyperfocused. Expressing my ideas to other people is and has been one of my biggest problems thus far. People don't understand why you do things "your way" and not the standard way. It's hard to explain. I think that if they did have a time limit, they should have one for people who were diagnosed when they were younger. Ok, I'm on narcotics b/c I'm recovering from nose (was only supposed to be sinus, but the ENTIRE left side of my nose was found collapsed inside!) / sinus surgery , so I'm a little out-of-it.</p>

<p>AFter reading through that list (which my head hurts like **** from doing), most of those symptoms I still have today... But usually I can control them.</p>

20

<p>i have 63 of the 77... do i have add/adhd :(</p>