Testing Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-related Needs
Information About Testing Accommodations
Reasonable testing accommodations are provided for candidates with documented disabilities (recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] Amendments Act). The ADA mandates that testing accommodations be individualized, meaning that no single type of testing accommodation is adequate or appropriate for all individuals with any given type of disability or health-related need. “Health-related needs” refers to any of a variety of medical conditions that impact a major life activity, such as those affecting digestion, immune function, respiration, circulation, endocrine functions, etc.
Test takers with health-related needs may be able to test under standard conditions if ETS determines that only minor adjustments, if any, to the testing environment are required (e.g., wheelchair access, insulin pump, heart rate monitor, etc.). Test takers who wear an insulin pump do not need to be approved for accommodations unless the pump is especially noisy. In that case, it is recommended that testing take place in a separate room so the noise will not disturb other test takers. Candidates who require food, a beverage or equipment such as glucose testing materials or an inhaler must apply for accommodations also, since a separate room may be necessary.
In most cases, score reports contain no indication of whether a test was taken with accommodations. In rare instances, when an accommodation significantly alters what is tested (for example, if an entire test section must be omitted), a statement may be included with the score report indicating that the test was taken under nonstandard testing conditions. Score recipients are reminded that test scores should be considered only one part of an applicant's record.
Note: Not all accommodations are available for each test. Please see the specific program page for the test you are taking to learn which accommodations are available for that test. Some accommodations that may be approved include:
Computer-based Testing
- Extended testing time (all tests are timed)
- Additional rest breaks
- Reader
- Recorder/writer of answers
- Sign language interpreter (for spoken directions only)
- Selectable background and foreground colors
- Alternate test formats:
- Audio recording
- Braille
- Large print
The following may be made available to those familiar with their use:
- Trackball mouse
- Quill mouse
- IntelliKeys® keyboard
- Screen magnification
- Ergonomic keyboard
- Keyboard with touchpad
- Selectable background and foreground colors
Paper-based Testing
- Extended testing time (all tests are timed)
- Additional rest breaks
- Writer/recorder of answers
- Reader
- Sign language interpreter (for spoken directions only)
- Braille
- Large print test book
- Large print answer sheet
- Audio recording
- Audio recording with large print figure supplement
- Audio recording with raised line (tactile) figure supplement
Contacting ETS Disability Services
Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern Time
- Phone:
- 1-866-387-8602 (toll free) from U.S., U.S. Territories* and Canada
- 1-609-771-7780 (all other locations)
- TTY:
- 1-609-771-7714
- Fax:
- 1-609-771-7165
- E-mail:
- stassd@ets.org
- Mail:
- ETS
- Disability Services
- P.O. Box 6054
- Princeton, NJ 08541-6054
*Includes American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Note: Examinees who are blind can contact ETS by phone for their test scores.
See also: