extended time for the new SAT - how does it work?

Hi Everyone,

I never planned to have my kid take the SAT even she was provided with time and a half. Given the new format, I am going to suggest her to try…but how does it work? will the student be given 1 1/2 time for each subject? or will it be similar to ACT that the student be given a block of time so that the student can use whatever way the student wants - thx

Historically it is time and a half per section. I would assume they will stick with that.

I was just told last week by my son’s school that extra time for SAT would mean he is there for 6 hours. Even if he finishes early he cannot leave. An alternative they offered is extra breaks.

@Tmknies how does extra breaks work? I thought they would get a break after each section? no? - thx

We just spoke with the school about accomodations for the SAT last week. I was pushing for extended time when the school explained that would mean he would be in a room for the full 6 hours which is the extended time period given. They stated the kids cannot leave even if they are done in 3/4 hours. My S gets anxiety worrying about being timed but usually doesn’t need extra time (just the not knowing he doesn’t have a time limit is helpful). The school then said what about extra breaks instead of extra time. It seemed to be the solution for my S. I will find out more.

@Tmknies thanks. If I were you, I will push for the extra time and the extra breaks (I have been reading that there is a break between section, and I don’t see how the extra breaks work)…Keep in mind it is the college board who grants the accommodation not your school…sometimes my kid has the same problem with your son due to anxiety disorder, in your example, the kid still knows that he would not have extra time and I am not sure how it will help…BTW, does your son currently have extra time in school? My kid is 10th grade and just has extra time due to a diagnosis, my concern is that college board may not grant the extended time…even the school should have evaluated her in 9th grade as they kept on sending her home…

I am mixing my comments on two kids… my older one has IEP since 3rd grade and already has extended time.

Annamom, S has had a 504plan in place but not a formal IEP. The school last week stated we need to have the IEP in place for four months before College Board will consider accomodations on the SAT. We will just meet this requirement if we can get the IEP in place when we return to school next week. This week is spring break. I will reach out once I have more details for you. I don’t think state should matter but we are in CT.

deleting comment–didn’t realize this was an old thread.

I would imagine that the OP has figured this all out by now, but if others happen upon this and want clarification…

To the best of my knowledge, a 504 plan specifies accommodations (e.g., extended time, use of keyboard) whereas an IEP specifies services (e.g., speech therapy, OT, placement in special ed classes). You do NOT need an IEP for getting CB accommodations.

In order to get accommodations from the ACT or the CB, it is generally expected that accommodations (i.e., via a 504 plan) have already been in place at the high school for some period of time.

The SAT with extended time is, as others stated, given the full time-and-a-half for each section. Stop the clock breaks are another option, but they are another type of accommodation that the CB has to approve. Literally, the clock can be stopped mid-section with breaks as needed.

Or have comprehensive educational testing, if you go to a religious high school that doesn’t participate in 504s or IEPs. That worked for DD. Apply spring of Freshman year, to get PSAT and AP accomodations as well from CB.

Do the score reports indicate that additional time was granted?

@Maystarmom - yes, but the important thing is that the school (public or private) recognizes the need for extended time and has been giving it for a while.

A psycho-educational eval alone probably won’t cut it, but would be justification for an formal or informal “accommodations plan.” (My daughter is in a private school, too. No 504 or IEP, but, based on MD’s recommendations, gets extended time for a physical disability). As I recall, the CB even has a form for teachers to describe how accommodations are used in the classes.

They did not when DD took test Fall 2014. Extra time was considered confidential, as was any disability info.

Yes the educational testing, in its list of recommendations, included extra time as a beneficial accomodation.

it turned out I posted two different threads as I didn’t get the answer… anyway, here it was
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/learning-differences-challenges-ld-adhd/1921334-how-does-break-work-for-the-new-sat-with-50-extended-time.html#latest
In short, DD was given breaks during the 2 long segments and the essay.