Applying for Accommodations
How to request testing accommodations on College Board tests
To take a College Board test with testing accommodations, a student must:
- Have a disability that requires testing accommodation
- Submit a complete request for accommodations, before the stated deadline (usually submitted by the student’s school, using SSD Online)
- If required, submit complete documentation of a disability, describing the need for the requested accommodation
Initial requests for accommodations
Every student requesting accommodations must submit a request to the College Board and provide detailed information relating to the student's name and address, disability, past testing, and accommodations received at school.
- In most cases, students work with their school to request accommodations. The student or parent must complete a consent form and forward it to the school. The SSD Coordinator requests accommodations online, through SSD Online, and submits it to the College Board.
- Students or parents may submit a request for accommodations without the involvement of the school by submitting a Student Eligibility Form. Carefully follow the Instructions for Completing the Student Eligibility Form (.pdf/134K). Requires Adobe Reader (latest version recommended).
- In some cases, documentation will be requested for the College Board’s review. SSD Online and the Student Eligibility Form will indicate when documentation is required.
For more information on how to request accommodations from the College Board, see How to Request Accommodations.
When documentation is required
Under some circumstances, documentation of the disability must be provided for the College Board's review. (See Documentation Requirements for more information). The documentation must show not only that the student has a disability, but that:
- The disability leads to a functional limitation in ability to take College Board tests
- The requested accommodation is appropriate
See Guidelines for more information. Usually, test scores are required.
Note that temporary medical conditions, such as a broken arm, usually are not disabilities and are not eligible for accommodations under the College Board's accommodation process. See Temporary Medical Condition for information on what to do in these circumstances.
Subsequent requests
Accommodations need to be requested only once. Once approved, a student remains eligible for accommodations for all College Board tests as long as the school annually verifies that the student continues to receive them on school tests. For example, if a student is approved for accommodations for the PSAT/NMSQT, the student does not need to reapply for accommodations for the SAT.
If a student's needs change, he or she should submit an Accommodations Change Request Form. See Changing Accommodations. For information on reapplying for accommodations after a request has been denied, see Denied Accommodations. Do not submit a new Student Eligibility Form for the same student.
