I’m on the fence about it because after perusing through CC, I see a lot of posters feel that too many people are faking disabilities or disorders just to get some extra time on the exam. They seemed to be especially hard on people who suffered from depression or anxiety and I happen to suffer from both.
With my last two tests, I had a panic attack during the first one and just completely broke down during the second one.
I’ve been reading what I would need to sign up for extended time and I have most of what is needed–except an IEP or 504 plan because I don’t have a learning disability.
So, should I go for it?
What do you mean when you say that you “have most of what is needed” and should you “go for it”?
For example, do you get extended time on testing at your school and is there an accommodations plan in place for you at your school? For a public school, that might include either a 504 or an IEP; at a private school, you should have supports in place through the people in charge of disabilities and learning differences. Both the ACT folks and the College Board take into account whether you have accommodations in place at your school in determining whether or not to grant extended time for testing.
Have you had independent psychological or psychoeducational testing to determine what impact your anxiety and depression may affect your ability to perform under normal time constraints? You’ll need documentation that describes why you need extended time and you will have to provide extensive medical records, testing, etc.
And yes, there may be some people faking disabilities – just as there may be some people that cheat on their homework, taxes, etc., and there may be some clueless people that may indeed think that people with physical and/or learning disabilities or mental health issues ought not be entitled to extended time, but that shouldn’t stop you from seeking accommodations if you truly need them.
Sorry, I should clarify. When I said that I have most of what is needed, I meant as in applying for extended time. I have all of the paperwork from my psychiatrist and therapist stating that my anxiety and depression has effected my personal and educational life going back almost 4 years. I also have records of the prescriptions that I take on a daily basis.
As for the 504 or IEP plan, I didn’t have either while I was in school (I graduated in May '15) because I don’t have a learning disability. I took either on level or AP classes, so I’m afraid that that may be questionable to The ACT or College Board. The only thing I may possibly be able to get from my former school counselor is a one time record of an “incident” that happened during my senior year.