ETS Accommodations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law primarily governs ETS's obligation to provide testing accommodations for individuals with disabilities?
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Correct answer)
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- The Fair Housing Act
Correct answer: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA requires testing entities like ETS to provide reasonable accommodations so people with disabilities have equal access to tests.
Question 2: A test taker with a chronic fatigue condition requests extended breaks between test sections. How does ETS typically categorize this type of accommodation?
- A presentation accommodation
- A response accommodation
- A timing/scheduling accommodation (Correct answer)
- A setting accommodation
Correct answer: A timing/scheduling accommodation
Extended or additional breaks fall under timing and scheduling accommodations because they adjust when and how often a test taker may rest.
Question 3: If an ETS accommodation request is denied, what is the recommended first step for the applicant?
- File a lawsuit immediately
- Request a reconsideration or appeal through ETS's formal process (Correct answer)
- Retake the test without accommodations
- Contact the test center directly to override the decision
Correct answer: Request a reconsideration or appeal through ETS's formal process
ETS has an official reconsideration or appeal process that applicants should use before pursuing other remedies.
Question 4: Which of the following documentation would MOST likely be required when applying for a reading disorder accommodation on a GRE exam?
- A letter from a high school teacher
- A psychoeducational evaluation from a qualified professional (Correct answer)
- Proof of prior test scores below the 50th percentile
- A self-report of reading difficulties
Correct answer: A psychoeducational evaluation from a qualified professional
ETS requires a comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation conducted by a qualified clinician to substantiate a learning disability such as a reading disorder.
Question 5: For which population does ETS waive the requirement to submit third-party disability documentation for certain basic accommodations?
- Test takers over age 65
- Test takers who received accommodations under an IEP or 504 plan in their most recent educational setting (Correct answer)
- International test takers
- Test takers who have failed the exam twice before
Correct answer: Test takers who received accommodations under an IEP or 504 plan in their most recent educational setting
ETS may streamline or waive some documentation requirements for individuals who had documented accommodations via an IEP or 504 plan, as prior educational history supports the request.
Question 6: What does ETS's 'screen reader compatibility' accommodation primarily address?
- Color blindness affecting chart interpretation
- Visual impairments requiring audio delivery of on-screen text (Correct answer)
- Test anxiety causing difficulty reading under pressure
- Physical disabilities preventing use of a standard keyboard
Correct answer: Visual impairments requiring audio delivery of on-screen text
Screen reader compatibility ensures that the testing software works with assistive technology that reads displayed text aloud for test takers with visual impairments.
Question 7: A GRE test taker is approved for a separate testing room. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this setting accommodation?
- To allow the test taker to use a phone during testing
- To minimize distractions and reduce sensory or environmental barriers (Correct answer)
- To give the test taker access to additional study materials
- To allow a test taker to take the exam on a different day
Correct answer: To minimize distractions and reduce sensory or environmental barriers
A separate room accommodation reduces auditory and visual distractions that may disproportionately affect test takers with certain disabilities such as ADHD or sensory processing disorders.
ETS Accommodations 2
Which federal law primarily governs ETS's obligation to provide testing accommodations for individuals with disabilities?