Hoping to get some advice regarding SAT Accommodations. DS is a junior and has been approved for ACT Accommodations/Special Testing. He will be allowed an extra 50% and is able to take the test over 4 days. In my discussion with the testing coordinator at his school, she tells me that the likelihood that my son will get SAT accommodations over 2 days is highly unlikely since the recommendation on his evaluation is for 50% extended time–which College Board has already approved him for. She explained that a student must qualify for 100% extra time before he/she can qualify for testing over multiple days. He currently receives accommodations at school and has dx of ADHD. Ironically, I think he might actually struggle more with extra time if his only option is to take the test in one day–as I think this will keep him at the testing center for 6.5 hours with breaks etc. This would be extremely difficult for him or for any kid with ADHD. He did better than expected on the PSAT with extra time, but that of course is a shorter test. Has anyone had success with approval from the College Board for testing over multiple days even if 100% extra time was not needed? It seems odd to me that the ACT and SAT have such different rules for special testing over multiple days.
I’ve never heard of that for the SAT. My son took the SAT 3 times. The first time he didn’t tell them he had accommodations because he didn’t want to be in there for 6.5 hours and even though it was printed on his admission ticket they didn’t notice. I had him retake it and I highlighted the accommodation on his admission ticket, he sat the whole time then and hated it. His third try I let him choose and he chose not to tell them again.
No. They only go to multiple days if the kid gets 100% extra time - and that’s why they rarely give that. If they get double time, it would only be given over two days. I have never heard of it being given over 4 days.
Does he really need double time on everything? I have heard of kids having 50% extension in one area, and 100% extension in another area.
I’ve seen kids with fairly serious Asperger’s and pretty serious ADHD get 50% for each test, in one sitting. Never have seen any with anything greater than 50% before, or anything over one day, but my experience is limited to only the last couple of years.
No, I actually believe he is fine with the 50% extra time on all the sections (and he has been approved for that) and from my perspective that is not the issue for him. The bigger issue is that for a kid with attention/concentration issues–sitting and doing one thing for 6.5 hours is torture. Breaking the test up over 2 days is more manageable for someone with ADHD even when they don’t require 100% extra time. And just to clarify it is the ACT which allows up to 4 days under the “special testing” accommodation and he has qualified for that as well. I’m thinking that it probably is not worth the hassle of submitting additional paperwork to the College Board/SAT as what you are reporting above about testing over multiple days being rare for the SAT is what the testing coordinator at school also told me.
Both of my Ds got 50% extra time with the SAT. As others have noted, 100% extra time is very rare. The advantage of the ACT is that you’ll be able to split that extra time into successive sittings. The SAT is a loooong day. If your child has issues with sitting that long, you may want to focus on the ACT. My kids both have medication and that helps with the duration. It will be important to run some real time practice tests. If you’re using a test prep service, see if they offer run-throughs with 50% extra time. Neither of my kids loved it, but they managed. The older one was really able to turn a high score to her advantage against a mushy GPA. If you live in an area that offers multiple test centers, look for the smallest ones that provide extra time sittings. My oldest took her 1st test in a massive high-school (not her own) with thousands of kids, it took forever to find the right classroom and the proctor made a mistake on timing. The second time, I looked for a small, private school that offered a calmer environment. Another thing to keep in mind is that the SAT now offers an August sitting, as long as his school hasn’t started, it might be a good time to take the test when he’s well rested and relaxed.
Don’t forget many top colleges are test-optional these days! ( google the Fairtest list)