By Zach Skillings
Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.
Edited by Maria Geiger
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
Updated: May 6th, 2024
Some students have learning disorders or physical impairments that affect their ability to read, write, or concentrate for long periods of time. For these students, taking the ACT can present unique challenges. Fortunately, there are a variety of ACT accommodations that make the testing process easier. Read on to learn about testing accommodations and how to receive them.
To be eligible for testing accommodations, students must have a disability that “substantially limits one or more major life activities that are relevant when taking the ACT test.” Examples include learning disorders or physical impairments that limit students’ capacity to read, write, listen, or sit for extended periods. Students must also provide documentation of their disability.
Students who already receive accommodations at their school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are automatically eligible for testing accommodations. A current IEP or Section 504 plan is considered sufficient documentation.
For students who do not have a current IEP or Section 504 plan, documentation from a qualified professional (such as a doctor) is required. Documentation must come in the form of a letter or report. Learn more about documentation guidelines on the ACT website .
A list of a few of the diagnosed disabilities that are eligible for accommodations are as follows:
Special educational eligibility categories
ACT disability categories
There are a variety of accommodations available for students looking to take the ACT. Some accommodations can be provided in National Test Centers, while other accommodations require special testing environments. Depending on your specific needs, you’ll either participate in National or Special Testing:
This form of testing occurs at a National Test Center on a designated Saturday or Sunday. The following accommodations can be administered in national test centers:
If the student’s requested accommodations cannot be provided in a National Test Center, arrangements will be made for special testing. Special testing occurs at the student’s home school during a designated two-week window. The following accommodations must be administered in a special testing environment:
For a detailed list of both National and Special Testing accommodations, you can consult this list on the ACT website .
To receive accommodations, students must reach out to their school’s test coordinator. If you’re not sure who this is, ask your guidance counselor. The test coordinator will submit a request on your behalf through the Test Accessibility and Accommodations System (TAA). ACT will then review the request and provide a decision in 10 – 14 business days. The ACT website also has a detailed list of protocols for requesting accommodation .
After requesting accommodations, make sure to get some studying in as you gear up for test day. There are several test prep resources on the ACT website. Many of these resources are free, which we’ve listed below:
