Students who are approved for testing accommodations prior to post-secondary transition may find the continuation of testing accommodations useful for their post-secondary endeavors at the collegiate and graduate level. Students who have been previously approved for testing accommodations are often encouraged to seek similar accommodations while taking standardized tests for professional certification and post-secondary school admission. While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offers certain protections for people with disabilities or health-related needs to access testing accommodations, the approval process and procedures at the institutional level and for standardized testing can be involved, lengthy, and require specific documentation. Standardized tests often are administered by different companies who have separate guidelines from previously filed documentation with specific institutions. Some testing companies or institutions may require updated disability documentation. It is important to begin your approval process in advance of your intended acceptance date or target testing date. Below are listed links for common standardized testing accommodation webpages and some informational websites.
Some helpful information provided by LINS:
- Involve a diagnosing professional early. Seek out neuropsychological testing to document areas of disability early.
- Apply for testing accommodations early. LINS can help fill out supporting documentation if needed and help maintain early timelines. If you receive a denial, there may be time for you to submit additional materials for an appeal.
LSAT:
General Information: http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/accommodated-testing/
LSAT Accommodations Request Packet: http://www.lsac.org/docs/default-source/jd-docs/accommodationsformgeninfo.pdf
LSAT Guidelines for Documentation of Cognitive Impairments: http://www.lsac.org/docs/default-source/jd-docs/guidelinescognitive.pdf
LSAT Accommodations Candidate Form: http://www.lsac.org/docs/default-source/jd-docs/accommodationsform.pdf
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test required by most law schools in the United States as part of the admissions process. If you have a disability and need accommodations on the LSAT, the process can be done by the following steps:
- Register with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator: Contact the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to register with the ADA Coordinator. You will need to provide documentation of your disability and the specific accommodations you are requesting.
- Complete the Request for Accommodations form: After registering with the ADA Coordinator, you will need to complete the Request for Accommodations form. This form can be found on the LSAC website and should be completed as soon as possible to allow enough time for the review process.
- Submit the required documentation: Along with the Request for Accommodations form, you will need to submit documentation of your disability and the specific accommodations you are requesting. This documentation should be from a qualified professional, such as a physician, psychologist, or learning specialist, and should be current and specific to the accommodations requested.
- Wait for the review process: The review process can take several weeks, so it's important to submit the request and required documentation as soon as possible. The LSAC will review your request and determine whether the accommodations you are requesting are reasonable and necessary.
- Schedule your test: Once your accommodations have been approved, you will be able to schedule your test. Be sure to indicate that you need accommodations when you schedule your test, and ensure that the accommodations you requested will be provided on the day of the exam.
It's important to note that the LSAT offers a wide range of accommodations such as extended testing time, additional breaks, or the use of assistive technology, and the process may vary depending on the specific test center. Accommodations are not guaranteed and LSAC has the right to deny a request if they determine it is not reasonable or necessary.
In conclusion, if you have a disability and need accommodations on the LSAT, you need to register with the ADA Coordinator, complete the Request for Accommodations form, submit the required documentation, wait for the review process, and schedule your test. The process may take some time, so it's important to plan ahead and allow enough time for the review process. Make sure to indicate that you need accommodations when you schedule your test, and ensure that the accommodations you requested will be provided on the day of the exam.
MCAT:
General Information: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/accommodations/
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized test required by most medical schools in the United States as part of the admissions process. If you have a disability and need accommodations on the MCAT, the process can be done by the following steps:
- Register with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator: Contact the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to register with the ADA Coordinator. You will need to provide documentation of your disability and the specific accommodations you are requesting.
- Complete the Request for Accommodations form: After registering with the ADA Coordinator, you will need to complete the Request for Accommodations form. This form can be found on the AAMC website and should be completed as soon as possible to allow enough time for the review process.
- Submit the required documentation: Along with the Request for Accommodations form, you will need to submit documentation of your disability and the specific accommodations you are requesting. This documentation should be from a qualified professional, such as a physician, psychologist, or learning specialist, and should be current and specific to the accommodations requested.
- Wait for the review process: The review process can take several weeks, so it's important to submit the request and required documentation as soon as possible. The AAMC will review your request and determine whether the accommodations you are requesting are reasonable and necessary.
- Schedule your test: Once your accommodations have been approved, you will be able to schedule your test. Be sure to indicate that you need accommodations when you schedule your test, and ensure that the accommodations you requested will be provided on the day of the exam.
It's important to note that the MCAT offers a wide range of accommodations, such as extended testing time, additional breaks, or the use of assistive technology, and the process may vary depending on the specific test center. It's also important to note that accommodations are not guaranteed and the AAMC has the right to deny a request if they determine it is not reasonable or necessary.
In conclusion, if you have a disability and need accommodations on the MCAT, you need to register with the ADA Coordinator, complete the Request for Accommodations form, submit the required documentation, wait for the review process, and schedule your test. The process may take some time, so it's important to plan ahead and allow enough time for the review process. Make sure to indicate that you need accommodations when you schedule your test, and ensure that the accommodations you requested will be provided on the day of the exam.
GMAT:
General Information: http://www.gmac.com/gmat/prepare-candidates-for-the-exam-classroom/accomodations-for-test-takers-with-disabilities.aspx
Register as a Test Taker with Disabilities: http://www.mba.com/the-gmat/schedule-a-gmat-appointment/register-as-a-test-taker-with-disabilities.aspx
Accommodation Request Form: http://www.mba.com/~/media/Files/mba2/the-gmat-exam/files/register/accommodations-request-online-form-2012.pdf
Handbook Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities: http://www.gmac.com/~/media/Files/gmac/gmat/GMAT_Supplement.pdf
Educational Testing Service (includes GRE, PRAXIS, & TOEFL):
ETS: http://www.ets.org/disabilities
GRE: http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/register/disabilities?WT.ac=rx28
PRAXIS: http://www.ets.org/praxis/register/disabilities
TOEFL: http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register/disabilities
DAT:
General Information: http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx
DAT Test Accommodation Request: http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_accommodation_request.pdf