ACT Special Accommodations & Support 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student with a physical disability requires a scribe during the ACT. What is the test administrator's primary responsibility when using a scribe?
- Ensure the scribe records exactly what the student dictates without interpretation (Correct answer)
- Allow the scribe to suggest corrections to spelling errors
- Permit the scribe to rephrase the student's answers for clarity
- Assign any available staff member as the scribe without prior vetting
Correct answer: Ensure the scribe records exactly what the student dictates without interpretation
A scribe must record the student's responses verbatim without offering suggestions, corrections, or interpretations.
Question 2: Which document must an ACT-approved accommodations coordinator have on file before a student with a disability can receive extended time?
- An IEP or 504 Plan documenting the disability and the need for extended time (Correct answer)
- A parent letter requesting extended time
- A teacher recommendation form
- A doctor's note submitted on test day
Correct answer: An IEP or 504 Plan documenting the disability and the need for extended time
ACT requires documented evidence such as an IEP or 504 Plan that establishes both the disability and the functional need for the accommodation.
Question 3: A student approved for a separate testing room accommodation becomes agitated and requests to return to the standard room. What should the administrator do?
- Contact the ACT-approved coordinator before making any room change (Correct answer)
- Immediately move the student to the standard room to reduce distress
- Allow the student to choose their room without any notification
- Cancel the student's test session and reschedule
Correct answer: Contact the ACT-approved coordinator before making any room change
Any deviation from approved accommodation arrangements must be reported to the authorized coordinator before action is taken.
Question 4: Under ACT accommodation policies, how far in advance must a student typically submit a request for accommodations for a national test date?
- Several weeks before the registration deadline (Correct answer)
- The day before the test
- At the test center on test day
- Within one week after the test
Correct answer: Several weeks before the registration deadline
ACT requires accommodation requests to be submitted well in advance — typically by the registration deadline or earlier — to allow review and approval.
Question 5: A student with a visual impairment is approved for a large-print test booklet. The center receives the wrong version on test day. What is the correct action?
- Contact ACT immediately and do not administer an unapproved version (Correct answer)
- Enlarge the standard booklet on a copier and proceed with testing
- Have the student take the standard test and arrange a makeup later
- Ask the student if they can manage with the standard booklet
Correct answer: Contact ACT immediately and do not administer an unapproved version
Unauthorized alterations to test materials are prohibited; the center must contact ACT and follow official guidance for the situation.
Question 6: A student approved for extra breaks asks to use their phone during a break to check medication reminders. What should the administrator do?
- Deny phone use and offer to monitor medication timing using a clock (Correct answer)
- Allow brief phone use since it is a medical necessity
- Allow phone use if the student shows the medication app only
- Ignore the request and continue the testing session
Correct answer: Deny phone use and offer to monitor medication timing using a clock
Electronic devices including phones are prohibited during ACT testing regardless of the reason, and the administrator should offer an alternative monitoring method.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a standard accommodation available through the ACT for students with documented disabilities?
- Use of a personal calculator on the Science section (Correct answer)
- Extended testing time (50% or 100%)
- Use of a word processor without spell check
- Permission to test over multiple days
Correct answer: Use of a personal calculator on the Science section
The ACT does not permit calculator use on the Science section regardless of accommodations; extended time, word processors, and multi-day testing are among approved options.
ACT Special Accommodations & Support 2
A student with a physical disability requires a scribe during the ACT.
What is the test administrator's primary responsibility when using a scribe?