Accommodations for the Digital SAT & ACT: Extra Time & Support

Understanding Accommodations for the Digital SAT & ACT

Stepping into the world of standardized tests like the Digital SAT and ACT can feel like preparing for a marathon. But what if you have a sprained ankle or need a specific type of running shoe to perform your best? That’s where testing accommodations come in. For test takers with documented disabilities or learning differences, accommodations are a crucial support system designed to remove barriers. Whether you are taking the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or the SAT weekend exam, these supports ensure the testing environment is accessible so that your scores reflect your true knowledge and skills.

Why Accommodations Matter

Standardized tests are designed to be uniform. However, for students with certain conditions, that uniformity can create hurdles. Accommodations are about equity, providing what each student needs to have an equal opportunity to succeed. This principle ensures that your score accurately reflects your academic readiness, rather than the time it takes you to process visual information or the focus you lose without taking additional breaks. By leveling the playing field across the ACT and SAT Suite of assessments, colleges see your true potential.

Common Types of Accommodations Available for the Digital SAT and ACT

Both the digital SAT and the ACT offer a range of supports. While the test format has changed to digital, the core categories of support remain consistent.

Extended Time: The Most Requested Accommodation

Extended time is the most common accommodation. For students with processing speed challenges, ADHD, or dyslexia, the ticking clock is a significant inhibitor. Extended time typically ranges from 50% extra time (+50%) to 100% extra time (+100% double time). On the Digital SAT, students approved for extended time in reading receive it for all test sections. If approved only for the math section, the extension applies only to that portion.

For the SAT Suite of Assessments, students approved to test with extended time will also receive extra breaks. This applies to the PSAT 8/9, the PSAT/NMSQT, the PSAT 10, and the SAT (but not to AP Exams).

In addition, Acely’s full-length SAT and ACT practice tests are designed to mirror these accommodations. Students can select either time-and-a-half or double-time when taking practice exams, allowing them to prepare under conditions that accurately reflect their approved testing experience.

Breaks: Pacing Yourself Through the Exam

Sustained attention is a challenge for many. There are three primary types of break supports:

• Extra Breaks: Students are provided two additional 5-minute breaks.
• Extended Breaks: One 20-minute break instead of the standard 10-minute break.
• Breaks as Needed: Students may break at any time during the digital test for as long as needed—within reason.

Reading and Visual Accommodations

Reading accommodations are vital for students with visual impairments, dyslexia, or other reading-related learning disabilities. These can include large-print tests, screen readers (text-to-speech software), or even a human reader who dictates the test questions and answer choices. If your struggle is with decoding words or tracking lines, a screen reader can translate the visual information into auditory input, allowing your cognitive energy to be directed toward comprehending the content, not just reading it. For the Digital SAT especially, built-in features might be leveraged, but specific assistive technology might also be approved.

• Magnification: Using a zoom tool within the Bluebook app.
• Braille: Support for refreshable braille displays or paper-based braille tests.
• Text-to-Speech Tool: A built-in screen reader that reads questions aloud.
• Paper Test: In rare cases, a paper-based test is provided for students who cannot test digitally.

Writing and Motor Support

For students who face challenges with written expression, fine motor skills, or certain aspects of grammar and spelling, writing accommodations can be a game-changer.

• Dictation: Using dictation (speech-to-text) software to record answers.
• Scribe: A person who records your responses accurately.
• Four-Function Calculator: Permission to use a function calculator on the math section for disability-related needs.

Physical Accommodations

Physical accommodations address environmental or physical needs to ensure comfort and accessibility. This category is broad and can include wheelchair accessibility, preferential seating to minimize distractions, adjustable height tables, or even permission to bring in specific medical devices or snacks for conditions like diabetes. For some, it might mean testing in a private room to reduce sensory overload. These accommodations ensure that physical discomfort or environmental factors don’t become an additional burden on test day, allowing you to focus purely on the exam content.

Who Qualifies? Understanding the Eligibility Criteria

Testing accommodations are rooted in documented need. The SAT and ACT have clear eligibility guidelines to ensure fairness.

Click here for SAT eligibility criteria.

Click here for ACT eligibility criteria.

The Role of Documentation

The cornerstone of a request is robust documentation from qualified professionals that explains how a disability impacts your performance. This is required for everything from AP exams to the PSAT 8/9.

IEPs and 504 Plans

If you already receive accommodations through an IEP or 504 Plan, you are often “fast-tracked.” Your school’s SSD Coordinator will use these to prove your history of receiving support during a regular school day.

How to Apply for Accommodations: A Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for accommodations can feel like navigating a maze, but breaking it down into steps makes it manageable. Planning ahead is key, as these processes take time.

The College Board (SAT) Application Process

For the Digital SAT, the process is primarily handled through your school.

1. Talk to Your School SSD Coordinator: This is your first and most crucial step. Your school’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Coordinator is the point person for all College Board accommodation requests.
2. Gather Documentation: Provide your SSD Coordinator with all relevant documentation: IEPs, 504 Plans, psychological evaluations, medical reports, etc. Ensure they are up-to-date and comprehensive.
3. Submit Request Online: Your SSD Coordinator will submit the accommodation request through the College Board’s online SSD system. They will specify the requested accommodations and attach your supporting documents.
4. Receive Decision: The College Board will review the request and documentation. You and your SSD Coordinator will typically receive a decision within a few weeks. If approved, you’ll receive an SSD Eligibility Letter.
5. Use Bluebook for Practice: Once approved, take full-length practice tests in the Bluebook app. You can select your accommodations during setup to see how the functionality works before test day.

For detailed instructions and official forms, visit the How to Request Accommodations page on the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) website.

The ACT Application Process

The ACT’s process is similar but has a few distinctions.

1. Talk to Your School Official: Just like with the SAT, your school official is your primary contact. They will help you initiate the request.
2. Student and Parent Authorization: You and your parents will need to complete and sign a “Consent to Release Information” form, allowing your school to share your information with ACT.
3. School Submits Request: Your counselor will submit the accommodation request online via the “Test Accessibility and Accommodations System” (TAAS), including your documentation (IEP, 504, evaluations).
4. Receive Decision: ACT will review the submission. Decisions are typically sent to the school and then communicated to you. If approved, your counselor will receive a “Decision Notification” letter.

For detailed instructions, visit the ACT Test Accommodations and English Learner Supports page on the ACT website.

Timelines and Deadlines: Don’t Miss Out

Start early! Test dates come sooner than you think. Missing a deadline for your test center registration or accommodation request could mean testing without support. If you are taking the SAT school day version, coordinate with your school at the start of the school year.

Special Considerations and Appeals

Sometimes, your specific needs might fall outside the typical accommodation categories, or your initial request might be denied. Don’t despair!

Both the College Board and ACT have processes for “special considerations.” This might involve unique accommodations that require more personalized attention, such as a specialized assistive technology not explicitly listed. In such cases, your documentation needs to be exceptionally thorough, clearly outlining why the standard accommodations are insufficient and how the requested special accommodation directly addresses your disability-related needs.

If your request for accommodations is denied, you have the right to appeal. This usually involves providing additional information, updated documentation, or a more detailed explanation from your diagnosing professional. An appeal is a formal process, so it’s crucial to understand why the initial request was denied and then directly address those concerns with compelling evidence. Your school counselor or SSD coordinator can be an invaluable ally in navigating this appeal process.

A Final Word of Encouragement

Utilizing accommodations like extra breaks or a text-to-speech tool isn’t a shortcut; it’s a strategic move to ensure your hard work is accurately reflected.

So, take a deep breath. Start the process early. Work closely with your school. Gather your documentation. And remember, seeking accommodations is a testament to your self-awareness and your commitment to your academic journey. You deserve every opportunity to succeed, and accommodations are a vital tool in making that happen.