I wish to apply for extended time on these tests because I believe my score will improve exponentially. Throughout my academic career I have NEVER finished a standardized test. I believe this is mainly due to my ADHD and my tendency to overthink. For example, when I self tested myself without a time limit I made a 35 (took an hour longer than the allotted time), but when I tested with the limit I made a 29. I am not in any 504 Plans or IDEs or whatever but I do have an official diagnosis from a psychiatrist from 2nd grade and have been taking meds for ADHD (Vyvanse) for about 4 years. The meds doesn’t shorten my test taking time, it just makes me concentrate more, which, ironically, makes me overthink more. Is this enough to be eligible for extended time?
Also, for anyone that was approved/denied, what did you send them? and How much time before the deadline did you send it to them? I heard SAT is more lenient in granting extended time to applicants than ACT is. Is this necessarily true?
For both the SAT & ACT the request for extended time is actually submitted by your school. Yes, it does seem to be much easier to get extended time for SAT. Once you do get approval for the SAT it’s good for anytime you take the SAT. You just need to let them know you’ve been approved when you register for the test. ACT is much more difficult to get approved for extended time but not impossible. You need to register for an specific test date and then apply for extended time. Again it has to go through your school. My son had been on an IEP from kindgergarten so I had mountains of documents (IEPs, neuropsych eval reports, etc.) for the school to send in with my application. You will probably have a difficult time getting approval if you have not been receiving any assistance in school so far but it doesn’t hurt to try.
Our son was turned down for extended time on the SAT, which we only applied for because the school encouraged us to. He was diagnosed with ADHD in 1st grad and had an IEP, but even though extra time on tests was in his HS IEP, he never actually took the extra time because he is much too impatient to be able to concentrate for long periods and routinely rushes through exams. So being granted extra time doesn’t actually do him any good (splitting it between two days would be perfect, but that’s not an option). So I think he was turned down because the school couldn’t document his ever actually using the extra time granted by his IEP.
Happy ending: He did extremely well on the SAT even without accommodations. Only the essay portion seemed to be negatively affected by his impatience.
@mom4cw I read my diagnosis report from my psychiatrist from 4th grade and although the doctor said I should be placed on a 504 plan and that I should be placed in different learning environment than my peers, my WISC-IV IQ test results stated that my IQ ranges from “above-average” to “superior.” My processing speed, however, was “below average.” Are my results too high to qualify for extended time?
Actually, those stats may signify ADHD - high intelligence with average or lower processing speed as well average or lower working memory. But I am not a professional. Your parents might want to talk to the school or district school psychologist, if there is one.
You’ll need a recent diagnosis by a qualified professional. .For the SAT, it has to be within, I believe, the last two years. You probably have a designated person on staff at your school who makes all the requests. (Not the diagnosis, but the request. That person would know all the details of how to be tested, etc.) If for some reason your school doesn’t have that – for instance, if you attend a small private school or don’t live in the US (I gather you do but other people see these posts) – parents can make the request. But the paperwork has to be recent and official (eg from a psychologist or professional who is qualified to test for Learning Disabilities and make the assessment). All the info is on the SAT website under Accommodations.
As mentioned above, your profile – high intelligence with lower processing speeds – can definitely be a sign of some types of LDs. My son is “GTLD” (Gifted and Talented with a Learning Disability); those can definitely go together! LD doesn’t mean “dumb,” it means “needs something else (extended time, a computer, a scribe or reader, etc.) to level the playing field.” But there’s a battery of tests, like the ones you went through years ago, that will give you more information – and that’s what the SAT admins will need to see.
My son was approved for accommodations on both the SATs and IB exam. The applications in both cases involved a bunch of paperwork – test results, formal report from the testing psychologist, etc. He hasn’t taken his SATs yet, but the website suggests, I think, at least two months beforehand. Something like that.
Good luck – it’s really important for folks who need the accommodations to get them! And you’ll be so relieved to finally know what the issues are and be able to deal with them and do your true best
You need documentation demonstrating a LD-related disability to obtain extended time, likely a neuropsych report, a current IEP (or equivalent, if at private HS), and your guidance counsellor’s whole-hearted support (ie, happily prepares related paperwork for accommodations for SAT). Too many folks sought “extended time” accommodation w/only a doctor’s note, and SAT and ACT scrutiny is far more stringent now.
Just wanted to chime in and say that it is worth the trouble (everything mentioned above is correct) and that if the school botches the application you should try again. The ACT actually called me to ask questions because the school checked every box instead of what she actually need. Sounds like a quiet room and extended time would make a huge difference. While your at it, get that for HS too so it is easier to get it in college.
I have a different situation. I was tested for, and diagnosed with ADHD in kindergarden. It severely prohibits my detail awareness and thinking clearness because I tend to get off track. I want extended time to maximize my potential, but the problem is I do well in in school. I took the stanford binet and was measured at “profoundly gifted”. I get all As and skip courses. My As arent high though, even if the concepts are trivial to me because I make so many detail errors. I want to apply for extended time to minimize my chance of making imbecilic mistakes like I almost always do under normal testing conditions. Any advice? I have documentation and have been taking medicine for around 10 years. Will they deny it if I do well in school?
@pxlymath I know how you’re feeling. I hate getting 35s on practice ACTs and a 25 on the real thing. However, I did find that reading profusely helps increase processing speeds. What I like to do is read short stories and news articles. Also, when reading short stories, try to find those experimental and ambiguous ones; they help your ability to get the main point of a passage.
WE DID IT! Thank goodness for this website! It was discouraging to read about others experience with the process.
My child is at a private school without a thick file and extensive IEP.
Here’s what we sent in.
A letter from the Dr. that manages/prescribes the medication and assists the school as needed. The Dr. explained included that our child took the ACT and did not complete on the first attempt. Also, that the child receives additional time at school and this would be extremely beneficial for the ACT.
Our school administrator wrote a letter explaining that extra time is granted as needed for test taking. A letter from Physician freshmen year and evaluation form of child’s progress and school transcripts.
Attached to this was an evaluation dating back to second grade. Assessments by both parents, teacher, and school district.
We DID include psychological testing and diagnosis from mid-grade school. As well as, another teacher/parent/school assessment in late grade school.
Lastly, an current evaluation by parent with medication and how tutoring has been helpful.
That is it! It was post-marked by dead-line and we received our email approval within a week.
Things I wish we had known sooner in high school process: What’s available for LD and to be proactive with the school. Get extra time on tests and tutoring! Visual learner vs. auditory makes a world of difference for the student.
I was hopeful but shocked we received the extended time! I sent it Express Mail with all of the above and a prayer! Hope more students can sift through this process if truly needed. I believe taking it without extended time may give additional proof of need. Best of Luck!
D has small motor issues from extreme premature birth. You have to apply 6 to 8 weeks before the test date, original documents not fax or PDFs. Letter from doctor and statement from counselor is sufficient. ADHD is a common reason for accommodation. Do apply, it will help you immensely
