Testing Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities

• General Information About Testing Accommodations
• Computer-based Testing
• Paper-based Testing
• Test Accommodations Contact Information

Information About Testing Accommodations

Reasonable testing accommodations are provided for candidates with documented disabilities (recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA]). The ADA mandates that test accommodations be individualized, meaning that no single type of test accommodation may be adequate or appropriate for all individuals with any given type of disability.

Test takers with disabilities may be able to test under standard conditions if ETS determines that only minor adjustments to the testing environment are required (e.g., wheelchair access, large-print test book, a sign language interpreter for spoken directions). For example, if a test taker uses a large-print version of a reading comprehension test and requires no extended test time, the test scores could be administered under standard conditions.

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.

Some accommodations that may be approved include:

Computer Based Testing (CBT)

• 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:

• Kensington Trackball mouse
• IntelliKeys® keyboard
• Keyboard with touchpad
• Magnifying Text on Computer Screens 

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
• 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 (New York)

Note: Examinees who are blind can contact ETS by phone for their test scores.

See Also:

Magnifying Text on Computer Screens