Should I take the extra time?

<p>I may qualify for extra time on the SAT (my doctor has suggested I get tested for ADD.) I DEFINITELY need extra time on the essay, as well as maths (my brain takes a while to understand what each question is asking. I finish with at least 4-5 questions un-tried.) I always thought this was normal, but I recently found out that most people are actually capable of taking it in time and trying everything. So I was wondering if anyone knew how exactly I would move on to get extra time for the October test? Additionally, if we can speak candidly, will this extra time make me look a little less desirable to colleges? </p>

<p>I would seriously appreciate any advice!! I've always suspected that I might have a learning disorder but have shyed away from testing for it for a while. I'm very confused and worried, and if anyone has some experience with this I would really love to hear it!</p>

<p>I say just take it. Ur at a disadvantage if u dont. There is a reason they provide it for kids with needs. To bring them back to level</p>

<p>The colleges do not know that you got extra time. However, you probably can’t get the accommodations if you don’t have a formal diagnosis yet (sounds like maybe you don’t). Once you have that, you need to talk to the guidance counselor at your school ASAP about requesting extra time. You have to get the request in to the College Board, have it approved, THEN register to take the test with the accommodations. But sometimes they don’t approve accommodations if you just got a diagnosis late in high school (I think maybe they figure people getting a diagnosis then just went to the doctor to try to get it to get an advantage on the test). And you may not have time to get the whole process done for the October test, either.</p>

<p>@intparent
Wow so many people have told me that the colleges are always notified! It is good that they don’t, I feel like they would unecessarily be prejudiced. Oh gosh, really? If I wanted to get only 50% more time, what processes would I have to do? Thanks–going to see my college cousellor tomorrow and talk about this too!</p>

<p>Yes, see your counselor. The colleges are not notified. But if you do not have a formal diagnosis and writeup from the person who did the testing that can be sent to the College Board, then you can’t really request accommodations.</p>

<p>I don’t have time to dig around now, but here is a link to the learning disability forum here on CC. There isn’t a thread pinned at the top on this, but I know there have been discussions in the past on requesting accommodations in the past if you search the forum or scan back:</p>

<p>[Learning</a> Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/learning-differences-challenges-ld-adhd/]Learning”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/learning-differences-challenges-ld-adhd/) </p>

<p>Here is a link to the College Board page on this, with further links on how to apply:</p>

<p>[SAT</a> - Students with Disabilities - Test Accommodations](<a href=“The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board”>Registering for the SAT with Accommodations – SAT Suite)</p>

<p>Thank you so so so much!</p>