Test Prep for Students with Learning Differences

Standardized testing can be especially stressful for students with learning differences like ADHD, dyslexia, processing disorders, or anxiety. The good news is that both the SAT and ACT offer meaningful accommodations, and the right preparation approach can make a significant difference in how these students experience the test — and how they perform.

This guide covers everything families need to know: what accommodations are available, how to request them, preparation strategies that work for different learning profiles, and what to look for when choosing a tutor for a student with learning differences.

Understanding Testing Accommodations

Both College Board (SAT) and ACT offer accommodations for students with documented disabilities. These accommodations are designed to provide equitable access to the test — not an unfair advantage. An important point for families to know: scores earned with accommodations are reported identically to scores without accommodations. There is no flag or notation on the score report that indicates accommodations were used.

The most commonly requested and approved accommodations include:

• Extended time — additional time to complete the test, most commonly time and one-half (50% extra) or double time (100% extra)
• Extra breaks — additional scheduled breaks or breaks as needed during testing
• Small group testing — testing in a smaller, less distracting room with fewer students
• Assistive technology — screen readers, text-to-speech, or other tools for students with visual or reading disabilities
• Large print or braille — alternative format test materials

Extended Time: What It Provides

Extended time is by far the most requested accommodation. Here's what the different levels look like in practice for the Digital SAT:

Starting in spring 2025, College Board introduced a change for students testing with extended time on the Digital SAT: a "Next" button remains inactive until the standard time for each module has elapsed. This prevents students from rushing through modules and moving ahead early. Once a student leaves a module after the standard time has passed, they cannot return to it. This change makes time management during extended testing even more important to practice.

How to Request Accommodations: SAT (College Board)

College Board manages accommodations through their Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) program. The process works through your student's school:

• Step 1: Your student's school SSD coordinator submits a request through College Board's SSD Online system. This is typically a guidance counselor or special education coordinator.
• Step 2: The request includes documentation of the disability and the accommodations currently being used at school. Students with a current IEP or 504 plan that includes extended time have strong documentation to support the request.
• Step 3: College Board reviews the request. Most decisions are made within 7 business days, but complex cases can take longer.
• Step 4: Once approved, accommodations remain on file for all future College Board tests (SAT, PSAT, AP exams) — no need to re-request each time.

Documentation requirements: College Board requires that educational or neuropsychological testing for learning disabilities and ADHD be conducted within the last five years. The documentation should clearly describe the disability, its functional impact on testing, and why the specific accommodations are needed.

How to Request Accommodations: ACT

ACT handles accommodations through their Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) system. The process differs from College Board in some important ways:

• Step 1: The student registers for an ACT test date online and indicates that they need accommodations during registration.
• Step 2: After registration, ACT sends instructions to the student, who works with their school's test coordinator to complete the accommodations request through TAA.
• Step 3: Submit supporting documentation. A current IEP or 504 plan is typically sufficient. Without one, a report from a licensed professional documenting the disability is required.
• Step 4: ACT reviews the request, typically within 10–14 business days. Submit by the regular registration deadline for your test date.

Key difference from College Board: ACT requires that testing documentation for learning disabilities and ADHD be conducted within the last three years (vs. five years for College Board). Also, once accommodations are approved by ACT, they remain valid for all future ACT test dates.

Strategies for Students with ADHD

Students with ADHD often struggle with sustained attention, time management, and impulsivity — all of which the test format is designed to challenge. Effective strategies include:

• Practice with a timer. Even with extended time, students with ADHD benefit from practicing under timed conditions so they develop a sense of pacing. The goal is not to rush but to maintain awareness of how much time has passed.
• Use the flagging tool. The Digital SAT's question flagging feature lets students mark questions to return to later within a module. This helps students who get stuck avoid wasting time on a single question.
• Build in break strategy. If approved for breaks as needed, students should practice taking brief, structured breaks during practice tests. Even standing, stretching, and refocusing for 60 seconds can help reset attention.
• Reduce distractions in practice. Practice in conditions that simulate test day: device in "do not disturb" mode, quiet environment, no music or background noise.
• Focus on Module 1 accuracy. Because the Digital SAT is adaptive, Module 1 performance determines Module 2 difficulty. Students with ADHD should be coached to invest extra focus in Module 1, even if it means spending more time per question early.

Strategies for Students with Dyslexia

Dyslexia affects reading speed and accuracy, which can impact both the Reading and Writing section and math word problems. The Digital SAT's shorter passages are actually advantageous for many students with dyslexia compared to the old paper SAT's long texts. Strategies include:

• Leverage the annotation tools. Bluebook's highlighting and annotation tools help students with dyslexia track key information and avoid re-reading. Practice using these tools on every practice test.
• Read the question first. On Reading and Writing questions, reading the question before the passage helps students know what to look for, reducing the amount of processing required.
• Practice with extended time from the start. If your student has approved extended time, practice with that same amount of extra time. This builds realistic expectations and prevents test-day surprises.
• Use Desmos strategically. For math word problems, students can sometimes use the Desmos calculator to test answer choices rather than setting up equations from text — reducing the reading burden on math.

Strategies for Students with Test Anxiety

Test anxiety can range from mild nervousness to debilitating panic that significantly impairs performance. For students with clinically documented anxiety, accommodations like extended time, extra breaks, and small group testing can reduce pressure. Beyond accommodations, these strategies help:

• Over-practice the logistics. Much of test anxiety comes from fear of the unknown. Taking multiple full-length practice tests in Bluebook, visiting the test center beforehand if possible, and rehearsing the morning routine all reduce uncertainty.
• Learn a grounding technique. Simple techniques like the 4-7-8 breathing method (inhale 4 seconds, hold 7, exhale 8) can reduce acute anxiety during the test. Practice this during every practice test so it becomes automatic.
• Normalize the experience. Remind students that the test is one data point, most colleges accept superscoring, and there are multiple opportunities to test. Reducing the perceived stakes can reduce anxiety.
• Build confidence with achievable goals. A tutor who understands anxiety can help set progressive goals that build confidence rather than pressure. Starting with one section at a time, then building to full practice tests, can prevent overwhelm.

What to Look for in a Tutor

Not every test prep tutor is equipped to work effectively with students who have learning differences. When evaluating tutors for your student, look for:

• Experience with your student's specific condition. Ask directly: "Have you worked with students with ADHD/dyslexia/anxiety before? How do you adapt your approach?" A tutor who hesitates or gives a generic answer may not have meaningful experience.
• Willingness to collaborate with your student's existing support team. The best tutors for students with learning differences are willing to communicate with school counselors, learning specialists, or therapists to ensure a coordinated approach.
• Knowledge of the accommodations process. A tutor who works regularly with students with learning differences should understand how accommodations work, what the timeline looks like, and how to help students practice effectively with their specific accommodations.
• Patience and flexibility in teaching approach. Students with learning differences may need concepts explained in multiple ways, more repetition, or different pacing. A good tutor adapts rather than pushing through a rigid curriculum.
• Familiarity with the Digital SAT's accessibility tools. Tutors should know how Bluebook's built-in tools (annotation, flagging, timer controls) work with accommodations and should help students practice using them effectively.

Our full guide to choosing a tutor covers additional factors like pricing, format (online vs. in-person), and red flags to avoid.

The Role of IEPs and 504 Plans

If your student has an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or a 504 Plan, these documents are central to the accommodations process. Here's how they connect to standardized testing:

• IEPs are developed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for students who qualify for special education services. An IEP that includes testing accommodations is strong documentation for SAT/ACT accommodation requests.
• 504 Plans are developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and provide accommodations for students with disabilities who may not qualify for special education. A 504 plan has a broader eligibility scope than an IEP and is a common path to testing accommodations.

However, having an IEP or 504 plan does not guarantee approval from College Board or ACT. Both organizations conduct their own review. The strongest requests include documentation showing that accommodations are currently being used in the school setting and that the documented disability has a functional impact on standardized testing performance.

If your student does not currently have an IEP or 504 plan but you suspect a learning difference, a neuropsychological or educational evaluation is the first step. This evaluation identifies the specific disability, quantifies its impact, and provides the documentation needed for both school-based accommodations and testing accommodations.

Start Early: A Timeline for Accommodations

The accommodations process takes time, and it's important not to wait until the last minute. Here's a recommended timeline:

Find a Tutor Who Understands Learning Differences

The right tutor can transform test prep from a source of stress into a manageable, even empowering experience. Look for professionals who have specific experience with learning differences and who take the time to understand your student's individual needs.

Browse our full tutor directory to find test prep professionals in your area. When reaching out, don't hesitate to ask directly about their experience with learning differences — a good tutor will welcome the question.

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Related Guides

• The Complete SAT & ACT Prep Guide — when to start, how long it takes, and what to expect
• Digital SAT Changes: What Families Need to Know — understanding the new digital format and its built-in tools
• How to Choose the Right Tutor — what to look for and red flags to avoid
• Free Test Prep Resources — the best free tools for SAT and ACT preparation
• What Does Test Prep Cost? — pricing breakdown for the Philadelphia area

Frequently Asked Questions