Applying for accommodations for standardized testing is a lengthy process that involves collaborating with school coordinators weeks in advance to ensure each student receives the testing environment they need.
So many of our students get stuck on questions like “What SAT accommodations are available?” “How do I know if I qualify?” “How do I apply?” and often aren’t sure where to even start.
Here is the complete guide to the SAT accommodations application process for College Board (and PSAT). If you’re looking for how to apply for ACT accommodations, click here for our complete guide for that test.
How to Apply for SAT Accommodations
Works for the PSAT too!
- Make a plan NOW
Anyone who thinks they just might need to apply for accommodations needs to start planning ahead now before the application dates and deadlines catch up on you.
Most tests require you submit your accommodations request SIX WEEKS before your official test at the latest!
- Determine your eligibility
College Board has three main criteria that must be met to approve accommodations:
- The disability is well documented, often with an official diagnosis by a medical professional. Students with IEPs already are good candidates for SAT/PSAT accommodations
- The disability impacts exam participation in some way – the ability to be in the environment, the ability to use the testing platform, the ability to take the test itself, etc.
- The student already receives these accommodations for tests they take at school.
Have a temporary illness or injury and aren’t able to reschedule your test? Fill out this form!
- Find the support that’s best for you
College Board has more accommodation types than you might expect!
They offer…
- Extended time of different lengths
- Alternative settings based on mobility needs or sensitivities
- Extra breaks or allowed pauses for certain medical conditions or devices
- Human or screen readers
- Speech-to-text responses
- Large print or magnification tools
- ASL interpreters
- and Braille versions of text, graphs, and written responses.
If you need more than one, you can put all of them on the same application!
- Gather documentation of your disability and how it has been accommodated at school
These documents should…
- Prove that the disability has been diagnosed and documented over the last five years by a credible professional
- Prove an impact on the student’s education (such as an IEP)
- Explain exactly what the limitations are and how they have been accommodated in the past
- and justify why the accommodations being requested are important.
- Submit your Request
If you’re submitting through your school (which is the easiest option)…
- Fill out the Parent Consent Form
- The school opens a request online (Here’s a guide for schools submitting applications on behalf of their students!)
- Submit your documentation to your school coordinator
- You receive notice of your eligibility in the mail.
If you’re submitting independently…
- Fill out the student eligibility form yourself (with your school code, which you can find here)
- Mail or fax this form along with your documentation (students and families do not have access to the online system)
- You receive notice of CollegeBoard’s decision in the mail
- Practice for the big day
It’s important to complete your practice tests with the accommodations you’ll use on test day!
This guide will help you set up your assistive technology with Bluebook.
- Take the Test
Follow these guidelines for…
Good luck on your tests!
If at any time, you’d like more guidance on how to navigate SAT accommodations in testing or test prep, contact us here so we can help!
Are you working an SAT or PSAT exam with students who are using accommodations? Here’s a guide for test administrators hosting students using accommodations!
