SAT and ACT Accommodations: Extended Time and How to Apply
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Students with a documented disability can request accommodations such as extended time, extra breaks or assistive technology. For the SAT, the request goes through your school’s SSD coordinator to the College Board, ideally at least seven weeks before the test. For the ACT, you register first, then your school submits the request. Approved College Board accommodations also apply to the PSAT and AP exams.
Common accommodations
| Accommodation | What it means |
|---|---|
| Extended time | Usually 50% or 100% more time per section |
| Extra or longer breaks | Additional rest between sections |
| Assistive technology | Screen readers or other approved tools |
| Reading and seeing support | Larger text, magnification or color contrast |
| Small-group setting | Testing in a quieter room with fewer students |
How to request SAT accommodations
- Talk to your school’s SSD coordinator, usually in the counseling office.
- Give the coordinator your documentation, such as an IEP, 504 plan or evaluation.
- The coordinator submits the request through College Board SSD Online.
- Submit at least seven weeks before your test date, since review can take that long.
- Once approved, accommodations generally carry over to future SAT Suite and AP exams.
How to request ACT accommodations
Register for a national ACT test date first. Then ask your school’s test accommodations coordinator to submit your request through ACT’s accommodations system, along with supporting documentation. Do this well before the registration deadline so a decision arrives in time.