SAT/Test Accommodations

Educational Specialist

The college application process for high school students is often daunting. Essays need to be written, forms filled out, deadlines must be met, and decisions must be made in a timely manner. Increasing competition for a limited number of spaces has added an extra burden to do well on the College Board exams. It is at this time students with learning problems, formally diagnosed or not, may hit a wall. Accommodations, such as having extra time or larger print, can make a difference between failure and success.

To take the SAT with testing accommodations, for example, students with disabilities must provide a Student Eligibility Form and have their accommodations approved by the College Board. To be eligible for accommodations on the College Board tests, a student with a disability is obliged to provide documentation that meets the College Board’s Guidelines. The documentation must include the following: a stated specific disability made by the appropriate professional; be current (within 3-5 years); describe comprehensive testing, relevant educational, developmental and medical history; describe the functional limitations; and describe the specific accommodations.

As more students seek accommodations, the College Board is getting tighter about granting accommodations. Some applications have been denied if there were no previously established accommodations in the classroom (through IEP or 504 Plan) for at least six months prior to application for eligibility. Your school counselor should be able to help you through this process. It is important to be in touch with your guidance counselor early so you can plan accordingly.

Students who attend private schools or public school students who have been accommodated informally over the years usually seek private assessments to document learning disabilities. Diana Vaniotis Educational Specialist offers comprehensive assessments that follow the College Board guidelines for documentation of a learning disability. Keep in mind, learning difficulties do not automatically guarantee accommodations. It is important to discuss the nature of your child’s learning problems with teachers, counselors and me first to determine if an assessment is warranted.