SAT Accommodations for Students who need them

You might be wondering how to go about registering for the SAT or the ACTs with extra time. Maybe you’re thinking about it? Let’s go through the process step by step to increase your chances of being granted extra time.

General Overview

There are two ways to get accommodations- either by requesting them through your school or requesting them using a paper application. College board recommends going through your school so that your administration can use College Board’s online Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) system. If you use the paper request system, the process will take longer, you will need to provide more documents about your accommodation needs and the condition.

Be warned the process generally takes 2 months and requires collecting and submitting a lot of documentation. Please be sure to request accommodations if you have a disability or condition that requires them. As a rule, if a student gets accommodations at school, they will also get accommodations on the SAT.

If you don’t get accommodations at school but you think you’ll need them for the SAT, keep reading.

Steps to Getting Accommodations

1. Start early. Keep in mind the process takes about 2 months once you’ve submitted all of your documents.

2. Send your request and document to College Board, either through your school’s SSD coordinator of mail.

3. Once you’ve been approved, College Board will send you a seven-digit code. Use that code with signing up for the SAT and the accommodations will be included.

What Qualifies?

To gain approval you need to verify that you have a documented disability or condition that impairs your ability to take the SAT.

Here is a list (not complete) of disabilities that are often accommodated.
— ADHD
— Autism Spectrum Disorders
— Communication Disorders
— Head Injuries
— Hearing Impairments
— Learning Disorders
— Physical/Medical Disabilities
— Psychiatric Disorders
— Tic Disorders/Tourette’s
— Visual Impairments

Please note, this is not an exhaustive list. For the fine print on College Board’s eligibility standards see their website.

Also note that limited English Proficiency is not considered a condition. If your student needs help with English reading comprehension please visit our Reading Skills page or our Reading skills classes page.

Also note that if you have a temporary condition that is impairing your ability to take the SAT- for example a broken write- it is possible to get accommodations, but it will be more difficult. Your odds increase if you are singed up for an AP exam and will not heal by the test date, or if you are a senior who hasn’t taken the SAT yet.

If this is you, then you will go through a different process. Instead of working with your school’s SSD you will have to submit a different form found here.

Types of Accommodations?

The accommodations you receive will differ based on your needs, here is a list of the most common accommodations:

Extended time (time and a half is the most common, anything more than double is considered rare).
— Computer for typing essays

— Extra or extended breaks

— Reading or seeing accommodations
— Scribe for essays
— Reader for the test
— Different settings ( preferential seating, small group, or private room)

For a full list see the College Board guide.

The most common are extended time, extra or extended breaks, computers, and reading/seeing accommodations.

Timing

Remember, the process takes up to 2 months once College Board receives all of the paper work. It’s important to start early and be mindful of timelines.