Test-Prep Accommodations and Modifications to Best Support Learning Differences
In the past, we’ve discussed the topic of accommodations on the ACT® and SAT® for students with learning differences (LDs) - comparing both the ACT® and SAT® to help determine which exam offers the best accommodations and modifications available for students with LDs.
In this post, we’ll break down the differences between learning accommodations and modifications, how they apply to taking the ACT® and SAT® tests, as well as how these adaptations can be facilitated during test-prep sessions.
Accommodations vs. Modifications
An accommodation is an adjustment made to an activity or setting that removes an obstacle presented by a learning disability or difference, allowing students to gain equal access to opportunities in education.
Accommodations required are specifically outlined in a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or in their 504 Plan, accordingly. These personalized plans are unique to each student’s educational needs and dictate the type of services needed as well as the student’s personal academic goals and objectives.
While the range of accommodations available for IEPs is almost limitless, here are a few examples:
Allow the student:
extra time to complete a test.
to take a test in a small-group setting.
to take a test individually.
highlight key words in the directions and/or questions.
to mark their answers directly on their test form.
to answer orally rather than write their answers.
Read:
test directions orally to the student.
specific parts of the test to the student.
Repeat test directions as needed / Ask the student to repeat the directions in their own words.
Break up testing into several sessions.
Provide frequent breaks for the student.
A modification, on the other hand, is an alteration made to a test in either its content or in the manner in which the test is administered.
That being said, what accommodations and modifications are available to students taking the ACT® and SAT®?
ACT® Accommodations and Modifications Available
ACT® offers test accommodations and modifications for both students with learning disabilities and differences. They also offer English Learner (EL) Supports.
Available accommodations and modifications for the ACT® include National and Special Testing as well as State and District Testing. Here is a list of the available options:
National Testing (At a test center):
National Standard Time with Accommodations and/or EL Supports
National Extended Time
National Extended Time with Accommodations and/or EL Supports
Breaks
Wheelchair accessibility
Large print test booklet
Writer/scribe to record responses in test booklet
Sign Language interpreter
Use of authorized bilingual dictionary
Translated written test directions
Special Testing (NOT at a test center):
Extra time (double or triple)
Alternate test formats
Writer/scribe to record responses in test booklet, and/or computer for writing
Breaks
Multiple-day testing
Alternate test formats
Scribe or word processor for writing
Scribe for multiple-choice responses
English Learner (EL) Supports
Bilingual dictionary/glossary
Translated test directions
Designated Supports
Small group/individual testing
Wheelchair accessible room
Preferential seating
Spoken directions
Permission for food, drink, or medication
Color filters/overlays
Sign Language interpreter
Written verbal instructions
Visual notifications for time
Marking answers in test booklet
Audio amplification
Non-College Reportable Accommodations and/or EL Supports (*for some states and districts)
Breaks
Multiple-day testing
Alternate test formats
Scribe or word processor for writing
Scribe for multiple-choice responses
SAT® Accommodations and Modifications Available
College Board offers test accommodations and modifications for both students with learning disabilities and differences. These options are available for the PSAT 8/9®, PSAT-NMSQT® and PSAT 10®, SAT®, AP Exams, Accuplacer®, CLEP®, and any other College Board exams.
Here are some of the available options:
Extended time
Breaks
Reading, seeing, and hearing Accommodations
Recording responses
Use of a four-function calculator
Assistive technology
Limited-time testing (testing over multiple days)
Preferential seating
Small group/individual testing
Wheelchair accessible room
School-based setting
One-to-one setting
Permission for food, drink, or medication
How To Apply for ACT® and SAT® Accommodations
Whether your students are preparing for the ACT® or the SAT®, the advice to them is the same: apply for accommodation and modification approval as early as possible.
ACT®
If requesting approval for accommodations or modifications on the ACT®, act fast - the final deadline to do so is typically 4 weeks prior to the test date.
To request accommodations or modifications for the ACT®, students must do so through their school’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) coordinator. A Consent to Release Information to ACT® form must be completed and submitted to the ACT® Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA). Once approved, the student’s SSD coordinator will be contacted and registration will need to be completed.
If approved, the ACT® will allow students to receive the same accommodations and modifications on future exams.
For more information, here is the ACT® guide to help your students and their parents navigate requesting accommodations and modifications for the ACT®.
SAT®
If requesting approval for accommodations or modifications on the SAT® - or any exams offered through College Board - students are advised to submit their request in the spring the year before they are scheduled to take their test.
To request accommodations and modifications for the SAT®, students must do so through their school’s SSD coordinator. A Student Eligibility Form form must be completed and submitted through College Board. Once approved, the student will receive an Eligibility Letter outlining the approved accommodations and modifications as well as an SSD Eligibility Code. This code must be used when the student registers for the SAT®.
If approved, College Board will allow students to receive the same accommodations and modifications on any College Board exam for up to 1 year after high school graduation.
For more information, click here to view how to further support your clients in their request for accommodations and modifications for the SAT®.
Tips for Using Testing Accommodations and Modifications During Test-Prep Sessions
The best way to serve your clients with LDs is to make sure that you know and understand the accommodations and modifications outlined in their personalized IEPs or 504 Plans. Understanding this information and the terminology used is critical to supporting your students’ educational goals and objectives as well as tailoring your test-prep curriculum and sessions to help them get the most out of their time and effort.
Tailor Your Curriculum and Test Prep Based on Which Test Your Client Chooses
Once your client has chosen either the ACT® or SAT® - depending on which exam they feel the most comfortable taking - you can consider the available accommodations and modifications available for that test and use those in planning your test-prep sessions.
Be sure to have an individualized curriculum prepared for each of your students that takes into account their educational needs. This includes allowing extra time for completion; reading, seeing, and hearing accommodations; allowing a four-function calculator; and alternate test formats, to name a few.
Practice Tests
In considering your students’ individualized accommodations and modifications, you'll want to really utilize practice tests. You can tailor practice tests to feel realistic for your students with LDs, so that they become accustomed to completing these “test runs” well before test day. This includes any material modifications, alternate tests, and relevant timing changes (i.e., extended time, multiple-day testing, frequent breaks).
In addition to giving your students a better idea of what they can each expect on test day, practice tests lessen test anxiety - an issue most students have with and without learning differences. Often test anxiety stems from students feeling the pressure of being timed, so having students become comfortable with their approved pace (again, for students with LDs this could mean extended times and/or multiple-day testing) will help them to become more comfortable with timing and help them better regulate their speed when completing their exam.
Time Accommodations
We at Clear Choice Prep understand the difficulty of managing time during test-prep sessions - you want your students to get the most out of your meetings. You need to have time for lessons, assessment, and evaluation as well as time to discuss problem areas as they arise on the fly. Accommodating extended time and multiple-day testing when you only meet with your students a few times a week or less seems like a difficult concept - especially if you are tutoring hourly.
If you’re tutoring your students with LDs hourly, consider having your students take the practice tests on their own time outside of a tutoring session (either remotely or on the honor system) and save tutoring time for strategies, instruction, and analysis.
If your tutoring rates are hourly, you might want to consider offering practice test sessions at the same rate that you would charge for a standard (unmodified) test as an act of good faith.
If you’re interested, Clear Choice Prep offers 100% custom-branded test-prep materials, which include adaptable ACT® and SAT® curriculum software, practice tests, practice worksheets, workbooks, and even videos to support your visual learners. All of the tools that your test-prep business needs to better serve your students - no matter their learning differences.
For more information, feel free to contact us or click here to request a free demo.