When my son first took the ACT, he didn’t use any of his approved accommodations—and it didn’t go well. He wasn’t able to finish the test, and afterward he told me he felt sure he could have done better if he’d had the extra time his 504 plan allows. So, for his second attempt, we made sure to follow the process to have his accommodations officially approved by the ACT. There were some surprises, and I want to share what I learned in case it helps another parent navigate this path more smoothly.
1. Your Student Must Have an Official 504 or IEP Plan
Before the ACT will consider accommodations like extended time, your student must already have them documented in a formal 504 or IEP. If your child uses different accommodations and you would like to add extended time for standardized testing, you have to start with putting them in the plan first. There is no amount of time the accommodations must be in place before requesting them from the ACT.
2. There’s Some Paperwork and Coordination with the School
Once your student is registered for the test, there’s a bit of back-and-forth with the school. You’ll need to give permission for the school to share details of your child’s learning needs and accommodations with ACT. This step is required, and it does involve signing some paperwork—so be prepared for a few rounds of forms and follow-ups. Good news though – once the paperwork is completed, it “sticks” with your child even if they take the test a second or third time.
3. Not All Accommodations Are Handled the Same Way by ACT
During registration, you’ll be asked whether your child’s accommodations can be met in a standard testing environment. “Time and a half,” for example, is considered something that can be accommodated in a regular room. But if your child needs more intensive support—like a reader, a Braille test, or multi-day testing—you may be assigned a different testing location and date.
4. Your ACT Testing Site Might Change
Don’t get too attached to the test center you select during registration. Only one or two rooms at each site are typically reserved for extended-time testers, and those slots fill up fast. Even though we registered for Lassiter High School, just a few miles from home, we ended up assigned to a school in Paulding County—about 45 minutes away. Once accommodations are approved, ACT assigns the final location based on availability.
5. Know How Extended Time Works
If your student qualifies for time and a half, it’s exactly what it sounds like. A 60-minute section becomes 90 minutes. But note: the test doesn’t begin right at drop-off. There’s check-in, room assignments, setup and breaks. I dropped my son off at 8:00 a.m., thought I timed it right and still found myself waiting in the parking lot nearly an hour after I thought he’d be done. So be prepared for a long morning.
6. Check Your ACT Entrance Ticket Carefully
Before test day, make sure your child logs into their ACT account and prints out the entrance ticket. Not only does this help expedite the scoring process, but it also gives you a chance to confirm some important details. Double-check the test site location listed on the ticket—sometimes it changes after accommodations are approved. Most importantly, make sure the accommodations your child was approved for are clearly listed on the ticket. If they’re missing, that’s a red flag and should be addressed before test day.
Final Thoughts
Advocating for your child’s needs on standardized tests can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it. The second time around, my son felt much more confident—and had the time he needed to truly show what he knew. If your child has accommodations at school, don’t skip them on test day. Take the extra steps to get them approved—it could make all the difference.