<p>Yes, the extra time is abused. However, how can we tell who's faking it and who isn't? It's very possible that somone would be accused of faking a learning disability who actually needs more time. Either way, someone gets screwed. It's like the death penalty, but a lot less serious of a problem.</p>
<p>I am sure I read on College Board's website that if you have a medically documented learning disability, you get unlimited time for the SAT.</p>
<p>Kids don't "pay" to get more time on tests. I think the poster was referring to paying for psychological testing to get a "504" designation or a special ed IEP (Individual Education Plan) in order to get untimed tests. In public school, the school is supposed to provide testing but in reality, doesn't always have the resources to tease out subtle learning disabilities. This is one reason people pay for testing privately.</p>
<p>The first test administered is usually the IQ. I think that if there is more than a 15 point descrepency between the verbal and non-verbal portions of the test, a psychologist begins to suspect a learning disability. Other tests are the Bender Gestalt for motor/visual integration, Woodcock Johnson achievement tests, and the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing. </p>
<p>The College Board apparently does look at the numer of kids getting untimed tests and if the number is out of proportion, will scrutinize the districts process for designating kids.</p>
<p>On the larger, philosophical front, learning styles vary for all kids, on a continuum. Many kids who could not receive untimed tests based on their learning profile could benefit from more time. It would be most fair if the testing organizations would make all college entrance exams untimed. Let the kids stay there all day, if they want. It's not practical but it would improve the ability of the tests to predict college success. </p>
<p>Adults rarely have to do tasks in a closely timed manner. Of course we all have to budget our time but that is different from sitting down to a timed exam.</p>
<p>I know a lot of kids who were stuck in SLD way back in the first grade for 'organization problems' and have stayed in that track since then, despite not having any problems. At my school, you have to pay a lot more money to be in the SLD track (which is mainly for the extra supervised time), and yet it doesnt even show up on your transcript. I don't mind the kids who actually need the extra time, but its a pain when people brag about how they still have an extra hour to finish the test that everyone else is stressing out about.. and it also sucks for the people who really need the time, who arent even being helped that much because SO many other people get the time... sorry for my ranting, what I really wanted to ask was if people who get extra time now still will in college, without having to go through any sort of PROPER testing or anything</p>
<p>I doubt it, unless the school is willing to go to bat for them.</p>
<p>yes, it must be honored by all colleges, due to the Americans with Disablities Act or something like that...but yeah its law</p>