D20 will be taking the SAT and ACT this school year. She is well-documented to have ADHD and working memory issues. I noticed that on the PSAT and PLAN results, she did not finish all sections. The (long-term replacement) guidance counselor last year (who is now gone) suggested that we not pursue extra time since it’ll just make the experience longer for her. As in, sitting in a testing environment for 6 hrs might be draining, causing her attention to plummet. I can understand that and somewhat agree. My question is, how does extra time actually function? If she finishes a section easily, can she move on? Or must she sit and wait for perhaps other kids to use the extra time?
No
Yup. Sit and wait. As an FYI, that’s the same for kids taking without accommodations; you cannot move onto the next section until directed. Similarly, you cannot leave if you finish the exam early.
Ah ok. Now I see how the accommodation might be worse than the alternative…in her case.
What accommodation does she have in school? If you can prove that she needs multiple days, she can ask for multiple days, if approved, she can take one or two sections one day at a time. I don’t know your school, my experience with the GC in my kids’ HS was that they were clueless (regarding disabilities and ACT regulations). You need to understand what she needs and why she needs the accommodation.