ACT Testing Accommodations

Some students have learning disorders or physical impairments that affect their ability to read, write, or concentrate for long periods of time. For these students, taking the ACT can present unique challenges. Fortunately, there are a variety of ACT accommodations that make the testing process easier. Read on to learn about testing accommodations and how to receive them. 

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Am I eligible for accommodations? 

To be eligible for testing accommodations, students must have a disability that “substantially limits one or more major life activities that are relevant when taking the ACT test.” Examples include learning disorders or physical impairments that limit students’ capacity to read, write, listen, or sit for extended periods. Students must also provide documentation of their disability.

Students who already receive accommodations at their school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are automatically eligible for testing accommodations. A current IEP or Section 504 plan is considered sufficient documentation. 

For students who do not have a current IEP or Section 504 plan, documentation from a qualified professional (such as a doctor) is required. Documentation must come in the form of a letter or report. Learn more about documentation guidelines on the ACT website. 

A list of a few of the diagnosed disabilities that are eligible for accommodations are as follows: 

Special educational eligibility categories

• Cognitive impairment or intellectual disability
• Traumatic brain injury/post concussive syndrome
• Specific learning disability – reading
• Specific learning disability – mathematics
• Specific learning disability – writing/written expression
• Speech and language disorder
• Physical impairment, orthopedic impairment, orthopedic disability, or severe multiple impairment: physical or health 
• Other health impairment: ADHD or ADD
• Autism or autism spectrum disorders
• Emotional impairment, emotional disability, emotional disturbance, serious emotional disturbance, or emotional/behavioral disabilities
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Visual impairment or several multiple impairment: visual (blindness) or deaf-blindness
• Hearing impairment, hard of hearing or severe multiple impairment: hearing (deafness) or deaf-blindness
• Other health impairment: diabetes other health impairment: migraines other health impairment: epilepsy
• Other health impairment including but not limited to: asthma, heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia

ACT disability categories

• Intellectual impairment (FSIQ < 85)
• Traumatic brain injury
• Post concussive syndrome
• Reading disorder/dyslexia
• Math disorder
• Disorder of written expression
• speech/language disorder
• Cerebral palsy
• Muscular dystrophy
• Quadriplegia/paralysis of upper extremities
• Attention deficit disorder (ADHD) 
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Anxiety disorder
• Depression 
• Emotional/behavioral disorder
• Tourette’s syndrome/tic disorder
• blind/legally blind (in both eyes) visual impairment
• Deaf
• Hearing impairment
• Diabetes migraines epilepsy/seizures
• Other disabilities 

What kind of accommodations are available? 

There are a variety of accommodations available for students looking to take the ACT. Some accommodations can be provided in National Test Centers, while other accommodations require special testing environments. Depending on your specific needs, you’ll either participate in National or Special Testing: 

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National Testing 

This form of testing occurs at a National Test Center on a designated Saturday or Sunday. The following accommodations can be administered in national test centers:

• One and one-half time or additional breaks 
• Large print (18-point font) test booklet
• Writer/scribe to assist with recording responses in the test booklet
• Sign language interpreter for verbal instructions 
• Written copy of verbal instructions 
• Use of an authorized bilingual dictionary or translated written test directions
• Permission for food, drink, or medication while testing
• Preferential seating
• Single room for individual testing
• Ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones

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Special Testing 

If the student’s requested accommodations cannot be provided in a National Test Center, arrangements will be made for special testing. Special testing occurs at the student’s home school during a designated two-week window. The following accommodations must be administered in a special testing environment: 

• Double time, or triple time 
• Multiple-day testing
• Alternate test formats (human reader, pre-recorded audio, braille, tactile graphics) 
• CCTVs, Geoboard, iPad, or other assistive technology
• Personal aide for page turning, pressing calculator buttons, positioning materials
• Speech to text software for essay
• Environmental adaptations (special lighting, air conditioning, slant board, adaptive furniture)
• Background music (must be through speakers and not headphones)
• Verbal cues to stay on task 

For a detailed list of both National and Special Testing accommodations, you can consult this list on the ACT website. 

Also see: ACT test dates

How do I receive accommodations? 

To receive accommodations, students must reach out to their school’s test coordinator. If you’re not sure who this is, ask your guidance counselor. The test coordinator will submit a request on your behalf through the Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA). ACT will then review the request and provide a decision in 10 – 14 business days. The ACT website also has a detailed list of protocols for requesting accommodation.

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Preparing for the ACT

After requesting accommodations, make sure to get some studying in as you gear up for test day. There are several test prep resources on the ACT website. Many of these resources are free, which we’ve listed below: 

• ACT official full-length practice test: The official practice test covers all 4 subject areas, and comes complete with a score report that lets students know exactly what they missed. 
• ACT half-length practice test: This practice test is great for students who want to get a feel for the ACT without taking the full-length practice exam. For even shorter test prep activities, take the ACT Pop Quiz or sign up for the ACT Question of the Day.
• Online test prep events: The ACT offers online sample classes, parent workshops, and Kaplan events to help students prepare for the exam. 

Also see: Free SAT prep resources

Frequently asked questions about ACT accommodations