ACT Special Accommodations & Support 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student with ADHD is approved for 50% extended time. The test center runs out of time in the scheduled room. What is the administrator's correct response?
- Arrange an alternative space so the student can complete the full extended time (Correct answer)
- End the session and document that the student received partial time
- Ask the student to return the next day to finish
- Allow the student to take the materials home to finish
Correct answer: Arrange an alternative space so the student can complete the full extended time
The administrator must ensure the student receives their full approved accommodation, which requires securing an alternative testing space.
Question 2: When proctoring a student who uses a word processor accommodation, which setting must be disabled on the device?
- Grammar and spell-check functions (Correct answer)
- Screen brightness controls
- Battery-saving mode
- Font size adjustment settings
Correct answer: Grammar and spell-check functions
ACT requires that spell-check and grammar-check features be disabled on word processors to prevent unfair assistance with written responses.
Question 3: A student with a hearing impairment requires oral instructions read via sign language interpreter. What must the interpreter be prohibited from doing?
- Providing any assistance with test content or phrasing of questions (Correct answer)
- Using ASL to translate all verbal instructions
- Standing within the student's line of sight
- Using a written notepad as a backup communication method
Correct answer: Providing any assistance with test content or phrasing of questions
The interpreter may only translate procedural instructions and must never interact with or clarify test content.
Question 4: Which of the following students would most likely NOT qualify for accommodations under ACT's standard disability policies?
- A student who is a non-native English speaker without a diagnosed disability (Correct answer)
- A student with a documented learning disability affecting reading fluency
- A student with a chronic medical condition requiring bathroom breaks
- A student with an orthopedic impairment preventing standard writing
Correct answer: A student who is a non-native English speaker without a diagnosed disability
English Language Learner status alone is not a qualifying disability under ACT's accommodation framework; accommodations require a documented disability.
Question 5: A test administrator notices a student approved for a separate room is working beyond the standard time limit without extended time approval. What should the administrator do?
- Stop the student immediately and document the timing error (Correct answer)
- Allow the student to finish since they are in a separate room anyway
- Contact the coordinator only after the session ends
- Permit the extra time and adjust the student's score manually
Correct answer: Stop the student immediately and document the timing error
Unapproved extra time is a testing irregularity that must be stopped immediately and fully documented per ACT protocol.
Question 6: Under ACT policy, who is responsible for verifying that a student's accommodation approval letter is valid before test day?
- The ACT-approved school coordinator or test center staff (Correct answer)
- The student's parent or guardian
- The classroom teacher
- The district superintendent
Correct answer: The ACT-approved school coordinator or test center staff
ACT places responsibility on the school coordinator or authorized test center staff to verify accommodation documentation prior to test administration.
Question 7: A student with diabetes is approved for food and drink in the testing room. During the test, a second student without this accommodation asks for water. What is the correct response?
- Deny the second student's request since it is not an approved accommodation (Correct answer)
- Allow water for all students to be fair
- Allow the second student to eat and drink if they claim a medical need on the spot
- Pause testing for all students while the issue is resolved
Correct answer: Deny the second student's request since it is not an approved accommodation
Only students with documented, ACT-approved accommodations may have food or drink; ad hoc approvals on test day are not permitted.
ACT Special Accommodations & Support 3
A student with ADHD is approved for 50% extended time.
The test center runs out of time in the scheduled room.
What is the administrator's correct response?