SAT and ACT Accommodations: Understanding the Process
Preparing for and taking standardized tests like the SAT and ACT can be a very stressful process for a high schooler and their family. Whether we like it or not, the current state of higher education means that many colleges and universities require or prefer a documented score on a standardized test alongside your application. Some colleges and universities are “test-flexible” in that you can submit SAT, ACT, AP, and IB exams for admission, some are reinstating test scores for all applicants after changing rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while others are now “test-optional” for certain programs and not others.
My clients, many of whom are diagnosed with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia (among others), include varying increments of extended time, breaks, the use of a computer for typing essays, and small group testing for students who have issues with distractibility or anxiety. For SAT, there are also universal tools that are available to all test takers that may be on your child’s accommodations list. A full list of accommodations available for SAT can be found here, and ACT here.
If your child has received academic accommodations in public or private school, no matter for what length of time, for what condition(s), and under what kind of plan, they may qualify for a variety of specific testing accommodations for SAT and ACT.
I recommend using the College Board and ACT websites as the final word on eligibility and approval, not me, as the information is updated as rapidly as the tests themselves. However, below I’ve provided some side-by-side comparison of the accommodations process for each test, relevant for the time I’m writing this post (May 2025).
Eligibility
Documentation
If psychoeducational testing/public school plans are not current, families should work with their school or psychologist to conduct testing between winter of 10th grade and fall of 11th grade. Students planning to take the PSAT/NMSQT with accommodations – or other official tests in the fall of 11th grade – will need to have documentation ready for submission by the end of sophomore year.
Submitting Your Application
Responding to Decisions
Decision letters should be mailed or emailed to families within 2-7 weeks of submission. If requests are denied, students may electronically appeal decisions with the assistance of their testing coordinator. Appeals will reset the review process.
Using Accommodations
As you can see, there are lots of hoops and plenty of rules to follow when it comes to getting prepared for and taking standardized tests with accommodations. While I’ve laid out as much detail as I can here, I encourage you to work directly with your child’s school and testing coordinator(s) to ensure you have the most up-to-date information and support. Regardless of the complexities of the process, know that your child deserves to have access to the accommodations they need to demonstrate the true capacity of their skills!
How can Dr. Katie help?
I’m available throughout the year to complete initial or updated psychoeducational evaluations for high schoolers who are preparing for standardized tests of all types, including SAT/ACT. As mentioned above, College Board and ACT have requirements for the age of evaluations (5 and 3 years respectively), so if your brilliant high schooler hasn’t had an evaluation since they were in first grade, I highly encourage you to get on my calendar between the winter of 10th grade and the fall of 11th grade so we can have a good, solid update on their functioning with observations from their teachers about their use of accommodations (which SAT/ACT want documented). A new report can also provide updated language that is appropriate for their age/grade, and consider any additional supports that will be relevant through high school and into postsecondary education or vocational training.
My goal is to help your child feel supported through what is often a stressful process. If you have specific questions or want to get your child scheduled for this summer or fall, please reach out!
Katie
