PSAT/SAT/ACT Accommodations

Applying for PSAT/SAT/ACT Accommodations

The Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) Section 504 and IEP teams do not have the authority to mandate or approve PSAT/SAT/ACT accommodations, as private companies such as the College Board or the ACT administer these tests. The PSAT/SAT/ACT testing service agencies (not the school or the school district) review the accommodations a student is receiving under his/her Section 504 Service Plan or IEP and make an independent determination as to whether accommodations for college entrance exams will be granted.

The SAT and ACT are operated by different companies that have distinct policies and review processes. Your student’s outcome may not be the same for both. While your student may be appropriately accommodated in the school setting as indicated by his/her IEP or Section 504 Service Plan, the testing agencies have different criteria and may request updated educational or medical testing. This testing is not provided or funded by LVUSD. You should therefore plan to start the review and application process early should this need arise or if further documentation is needed. Information regarding the application for accommodation on the SAT and the ACT is described below: 

SAT

The College Board’s website, SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, provides information regarding their process for the PSAT/SAT/SAT Subject Tests.

ACT

The ACT website, ACT Test Accommodations and English Learner Supports, provides information regarding their process.

After having reviewed the appropriate website above in order to gain a better understanding of the process, the student must contact their high school for more information.

The student must provide as thorough documentation as possible. This may include:

• Physician’s note with diagnosis and medical license number.
• Date when the student was last seen by a physician.
• Letter from a specialist treating the student.
• Copies of previous academic or medical assessments with results.
• For the ACT: Download, print, and submit to the SSD Coordinator the “Request for ACT Special Testing” form.
• For the SAT: There is nothing to download or print.

Finally…

For the SAT, the SSD Coordinator at the high school will electronically submit the request. Any additional information will be sent to the College Board upon request. The student should register for the test prior to requesting accommodations.

For the ACT, the SSD Coordinator will contact the student when the paperwork is complete. The student will pick up the paperwork from the SSD Coordinator and mail it to ACT when registering for the preferred test date.

The College Board or ACT will notify the student once approval is granted or denied. In the event of a denial, there is an appeal process the student may pursue; refer back to websites above for additional information.

PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND ALLOW 10 WEEKS FOR THE PROCESS.