21 Feb How to Get Extra Time in Exams
The Truth About Extra Time in Exams
When your child struggles in school, particularly with timed exams, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. You may have heard about extra time on tests, but understanding how to access it and why it matters is essential. This isn’t just about getting a few extra minutes; it’s about leveling the playing field for children with learning difficulties like dyslexia, ADHD, and slow processing speed.
For children with these challenges, extra time can be transformative. Imagine a child with dyslexia trying to decode a word during a timed reading exam. While other students breeze through the questions, your child may spend critical moments just decoding the text. This isn’t a reflection of their intelligence or potential, it’s about the way their brain processes information.
Extra time allows them to complete the test at their own pace, ensuring that they have the space to fully understand and respond to questions, rather than racing against the clock and making mistakes under pressure.
Why Extra Time Matters
Many parents worry that asking for extra time will “single out” their child or give the impression they’re trying to gain an unfair advantage. But the reality is, children with learning difficulties are already playing at a disadvantage. Standardized testing environments aren’t designed to accommodate the way their brains work. For instance, a child with ADHD may find it difficult to stay focused during a high-stakes exam. Extra time gives them the opportunity to manage their attention better, avoid impulsive mistakes, and double-check their answers.
It’s not just about getting through the exam, it’s about demonstrating their true ability. When properly used, extra time can be the difference between a failing grade and one that reflects your child’s real potential. For many students, particularly those with conditions like dyslexia, the speed at which they process information is slower, but it doesn’t mean they’re any less capable of understanding the material.
Steps to Take Now to Get Your Child Extra Time in Exams
- Contact Global Education Testing to discuss your concerns and explore available options
- Take a free assessment to understand your child’s needs
- Book a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment
- Complete the evaluation to identify specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia
- Receive a detailed assessment report documenting the need for extra time
- Submit the report and recommendations to your child’s school or the exam board.
- Follow up with the school to ensure they implement the extra time
- Work with Global Education Testing to develop a tailored Individual Learning Plan (ILP)
How to Advocate for Extra Time
Getting extra time isn’t automatic and requires proper documentation from a licensed educational psychologist or neuropsychologist. Schools and standardized testing boards (like those for the SAT, ACT, or A-Levels) will only approve accommodations when there’s a formal diagnosis that outlines the specific challenges your child faces, such as slow processing speed or working memory issues.
This is where comprehensive testing comes into play. Unlike the limited screenings schools may offer, a full psychoeducational assessment dives deep into your child’s cognitive abilities. These assessments can identify exactly where your child struggles and provide the evidence needed to secure the accommodations that will help them thrive. The results of these assessments are critical in ensuring that requests for extra time are approved by schools and examination boards.
The Impact of Extra Time
Extra time doesn’t just boost test scores, it can also significantly improve your child’s confidence. When students know they have the time they need to work at their own pace, their anxiety decreases, allowing them to focus more on the content than the ticking clock. This boost in confidence can lead to better performance across all academic areas, not just in exams.
Extra time alone isn’t a magic fix. It works best when combined with strategies like individualized learning plans (ILPs), tailored teaching methods, and consistent support from both parents and educators. By working together to understand and support your child’s needs, you can ensure that they have every opportunity to succeed, not just in the classroom, but in life.
If you suspect your child may benefit from extra time in exams, the first step is to schedule a comprehensive assessment with a professional who understands the nuances of learning difficulties. This evaluation will not only give you answers, but also the tools you need to advocate for your child in school and beyond. Once you have the right documentation, you can begin working with the school or testing board to secure the accommodations your child needs.
At Global Education Testing, our detailed assessments can provide the clarity and support you need to ensure your child is fully equipped to succeed. Extra time is not about giving your child an unfair advantage, it’s about giving them an equal chance to demonstrate their abilities, without the constraints of traditional testing environments. By unlocking this potential, you’re setting your child up for a lifetime of academic and personal success.
How Much Extra Time?
United States Standardized Tests & Professional Exams
In the U.S., major standardized exams like the SAT, ACT, and Advanced Placement (AP) tests allow for extended time accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students can receive 50% to 100% extra time, depending on the severity of their condition. This applies not just to academic entrance exams but also to professional tests like the LSAT, GRE, and MCAT. To qualify, students need to provide documentation, including neuropsychological evaluations, demonstrating their need for additional time. The extra time ensures that students with learning disabilities can process the material at their own pace, thus presenting a more accurate measure of their abilities.
United Kingdom A Levels, GCSEs, and University Entrance
In the UK, students taking GCSEs and A Levels may be eligible for 25% to 100% extra time, depending on the specific learning challenge. The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) governs these accommodations, and students must undergo assessments by an educational psychologist. These accommodations ensure that students with learning difficulties can compete fairly. International Students taking iGCSE and A-Levels can also receive this extra time, as well as for University related applications such as STEP.
International Baccalaureate
The IB Diploma Programme allows for varied accommodations, including additional time for students with learning difficulties. Depending on the region and the student’s condition, IB students can request 25% to 50% more time on exams. The IB Access and Inclusion policy ensures that students with specific learning disabilities are offered optimal support, tailored to their individual needs. These accommodations are intended to reflect each student’s learning style, ensuring that their assessment is not compromised by time constraints.
Australia HSC and University Exams
In Australia, students taking the Higher School Certificate (HSC) and other national exams can apply for extra time accommodations if they have a documented learning difficulty. Students with ADHD, dyslexia, or other cognitive challenges often qualify for 25% to 50% extra time. Universities follow similar guidelines for entrance exams, with accommodations granted based on neuropsychological assessments. Students are required to submit evaluations by educational psychologists to access these benefits.
Other Global Examinations
For international exams like Cambridge English tests and the IELTS, accommodations for extra time are available for students with visual, auditory, or cognitive difficulties. Depending on the exam, students can receive 25% or more extra time, with additional accommodations like breaks or scribes for those with severe challenges. Documentation from licensed professionals is essential, and the exam boards may request updated assessments to verify the need for such accommodations.
Apply for Extra Time
Understanding the specific accommodations available for each exam is vital in securing the right support for your child. Global Education Testing offers comprehensive psychoeducational assessments, ensuring that you have the necessary documentation to apply for extra time and other accommodations. By identifying your child’s unique learning profile, we help you unlock the potential they have, without being restricted by time constraints during exams.
The Importance of Using Tier 1 Educational Psychologists
It’s essential to get your child’s learning difficulties assessed through Global Education Testing because we offer worldwide access to Tier 1 comprehensive psychoeducational assessments. Many international and standardized exam boards, particularly those in the U.S., UK, and Australia, do not accept assessments conducted by educational psychologists from Tier 2 countries.
Unlike many local options, we can conduct testing no matter where you are, ensuring that your child receives a high-quality, detailed evaluation that meets the rigorous standards required by international exam boards. This is especially important when applying for accommodations like extra time on exams, as schools and examination bodies require thorough documentation from licensed professionals to approve such requests.
What sets Global Education Testing LLC apart is that all of our educational psychologists are Tier 1 professionals, trained and regulated in countries with the highest standards in educational psychology, including the USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
These qualifications are critical when applying for exam accommodations, as exam boards like the SAT, IB, and Cambridge International recognize the authority of psychologists from these comparative health systems. This level of expertise ensures that your child’s assessment report is trusted and accepted, giving them the best chance of securing the extra time they need in exams.
Alexander Bentley-Sutherland is the CEO of Global Education Testing, the leading provider of Learning Development Testing tailored specifically for the International and Private School community worldwide.