ACT Special Education & Accommodations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student with ADHD requests extended time on the ACT. Which documentation is typically required to support this accommodation request?
- A doctor's note from a primary care physician
- A comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation documenting the diagnosis and functional limitations (Correct answer)
- A letter from a school counselor describing observed behaviors
- A parent-signed statement confirming the diagnosis
Correct answer: A comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation documenting the diagnosis and functional limitations
ACT requires comprehensive psychoeducational documentation that establishes the diagnosis, functional limitations, and how the disability impacts test performance.
Question 2: Under ACT policies, which of the following is NOT a standard accommodation available to students with documented disabilities?
- Extended time (50% or 100%)
- Use of a calculator on all sections (Correct answer)
- Large-print test booklets
- Permission to take breaks as needed
Correct answer: Use of a calculator on all sections
Calculator use on all sections is not a standard disability accommodation; calculator permissions are governed by section-specific ACT rules, not disability accommodations.
Question 3: A student who is deaf requires a sign language interpreter for test instructions during the ACT. Who is responsible for arranging this accommodation?
- The student must arrange their own interpreter independently
- The ACT testing site coordinator arranges all interpreters centrally
- The school or testing coordinator requests it through ACT's accommodation approval process (Correct answer)
- The student's parents must hire and pay for a private interpreter
Correct answer: The school or testing coordinator requests it through ACT's accommodation approval process
The school or testing coordinator submits the accommodation request through ACT's formal approval process, which then authorizes the use of a sign language interpreter.
Question 4: When administering the ACT to a student approved for extended time, the test coordinator discovers the student's approval specifies 50% extended time. How much total time should the student receive for a 35-minute section?
- 45 minutes
- 52 minutes
- 53 minutes (Correct answer)
- 70 minutes
Correct answer: 53 minutes
50% extended time means 35 × 1.5 = 52.5 minutes, which rounds up to 53 minutes per ACT policy.
Question 5: A student with a visual impairment is approved to use a magnification device during the ACT. Where must this device be placed during testing?
- On a separate table away from the student's desk
- On the student's desk, visible to the proctor at all times (Correct answer)
- In the student's lap to avoid distracting other students
- Only used during breaks, not during active testing time
Correct answer: On the student's desk, visible to the proctor at all times
Approved assistive devices must remain on the student's desk and visible to the proctor to ensure proper use and test security.
Question 6: Which federal law primarily governs the obligation of colleges and universities to provide accommodations for students with disabilities taking standardized admissions tests?
- IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA (Correct answer)
- FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
- NCLB (No Child Left Behind Act)
Correct answer: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA
Section 504 and the ADA prohibit discrimination and require reasonable accommodations in programs receiving federal funding, including standardized testing entities.
Question 7: A student with dyslexia is approved for a human reader accommodation on the ACT English section. What restriction applies to the reader's role?
- The reader may paraphrase questions to aid comprehension
- The reader must read questions and answers verbatim without interpretation or emphasis (Correct answer)
- The reader can re-read passages a maximum of twice per section
- The reader may define unfamiliar vocabulary words upon request
Correct answer: The reader must read questions and answers verbatim without interpretation or emphasis
Human readers must read all text verbatim and neutrally, without interpretation, emphasis, or additional explanation, to preserve test integrity.
ACT Special Education & Accommodations 2
A student with ADHD requests extended time on the ACT.
Which documentation is typically required to support this accommodation request?