For students with ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning differences, timed standardized exams such as the SAT can be particularly challenging.

Many families wonder:

“How do we get SAT accommodations?”

The College Board recognizes that some students require testing accommodations in order to demonstrate their knowledge under fair testing conditions. However, obtaining those accommodations requires documentation and an application process.

Understanding how the process works can help families prepare early and reduce stress during college planning.

Who Qualifies for SAT Accommodations?

Students may qualify for accommodations if they have documented challenges related to:

  • ADHD or attention regulation

  • Dyslexia or other reading disorders

  • Dysgraphia or writing difficulties

  • Processing speed differences

  • Visual or medical conditions affecting testing

The key factor is whether the student’s condition substantially affects their ability to take timed exams under standard conditions.

Common SAT Accommodations

The most common accommodations include:

  • Extended time on exams

  • Additional or stop-the-clock breaks

  • Reduced-distraction testing environments

  • Use of assistive technology

  • Alternate test formats

These accommodations are designed to ensure that students are evaluated on their knowledge and reasoning, rather than being limited by a learning difference.

Documentation Requirements

The College Board typically requires formal documentation supporting the accommodation request.

This documentation often includes:

  • a comprehensive psycho-educational or neuropsychological evaluation

  • diagnostic information

  • evidence of educational impact

  • history of school accommodations (when applicable)

Evaluations help demonstrate how learning differences affect academic performance and standardized testing conditions.

The Role of Psycho-Educational Testing

A comprehensive evaluation provides important information about:

  • attention and executive functioning

  • reading and writing processes

  • processing speed

  • memory and learning patterns

  • academic achievement

This information helps determine whether accommodations may be appropriate and provides documentation that may support accommodation requests.

When Should Families Start the Process?

Many families begin exploring accommodations during 9th or early 10th grade.

Starting early allows time to:

  • complete an evaluation

  • gather documentation

  • submit accommodation requests

  • address any follow-up questions

Planning ahead can significantly reduce stress during the college testing process.

Schedule a Consultation

If your student may benefit from SAT accommodations due to ADHD, dyslexia, or another learning difference, a consultation can help determine whether psycho-educational testing would be helpful.

Footprint provides comprehensive evaluations for students throughout New Jersey and the NYC area.

Give us a call or schedule a consultation with our team to get started.