skip to main content skip to footer

Common Testing Accommodations

Learn about some of the accommodations available for test takers with disabilities or health-related needs. If you need to request accommodations other than those listed below, you’ll need to describe them in Part II of the Testing Accommodations Request Form (in the appropriate Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-related Needs.

General accommodations

Accommodation         Description

Extended test time (all tests are timed)
  • 25% (time and one-quarter)
  • 50% (time and one-half)
  • 100% (double time)

Extra breaks
  • breaks aren’t included in test time (can be used for medication, snacks, trips to the restroom, etc.)

Accommodations for computer-delivered tests only
  • ergonomic keyboard
  • keyboard with touchpad
  • screen magnification
  • selectable background and foreground colors
  • trackball mouse

Assistance
  • human reader
  • human scribe

Assistance for spoken directions
  • oral interpreter or sign language interpreter (only for applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing)

Assistance for note-taking

For applicants who are blind, legally blind or have low vision:

  • braille slate and stylus
  • Perkins Brailler®

Alternate test formats

Testing Program         Description

For all testing programs
  • braille (only for applicants who are blind, legally blind or have low vision)
  • large-print test book
  • large-print answer sheet
  • recorded audio

For GRE® General Test only

For applicants who are blind, legally blind or have low vision:

  • recorded audio with tactile figure supplement
  • recorded audio with large-print figure supplement

For TOEFL iBT® test only
  • listening section omitted (only for applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing)
  • speaking section omitted (only for applicants who are deaf or hard-of-hearing or who have speech disabilities)
  • extended time for spoken responses (only for applicants who have speech disabilities)

Health-related needs and minor accommodations

Health-related needs are more commonly those affecting digestion, immune function, respiration, circulation, endocrine functions, etc., and frequently require only minor accommodations. Documented health needs include conditions such as diabetes, Crohn's disease and chronic pain. Minor accommodations include but aren’t limited to: extra breaks for medication, snacks, beverages or glucose testing materials that are necessary during the test session.

If you require minor accommodations, you’ll need to submit:

  • the registration form from the Bulletin Supplement for the test you’ll be taking
  • Part I and Part II of the Testing Accommodations Request Form (see "Testing Accommodations Request Form" in the appropriate Bulletin Supplement)
  • a letter of support from a medical doctor or other qualified professional stating the nature of the condition and the rationale for the requested accommodation(s). Handwritten documentation or a note on a prescription pad isn’t acceptable.
  • the appropriate registration fee
    • If you prefer to submit your payment online, don’t include credit card information on your registration form. Once your application has been received, you’ll receive an email with instructions regarding payment options.

Pre-approved personal items

Certain items are allowed in the testing area without prior approval. These include, but aren’t limited to:

  • bandages
  • spinal cord stimulators
  • foot stool
  • lumbar support cushion
  • service animals
  • hearing aids/cochlear implant — if your hearing aids or cochlear implant have Bluetooth® capabilities, accommodations must be requested

If you wear an insulin pump, you don’t need to request accommodations unless your pump consists of two pieces (the pump which is attached to your body, plus the transmitter used to program the pump) or your pump is especially noisy. If the pump can’t be silenced and is likely to disturb other test takers, requesting accommodations is a good idea so you may be scheduled in a separate room. A continuous glucose monitor attached to your pump doesn’t require prior approval; however, if you wish to have your glucose test kit in the testing area, you must request accommodations.

See the full list of pre-approved personal items for use at test centers (PDF).