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Extended Time

In most cases, students testing with extended time must stay the entire amount of time for which they are approved. They cannot leave early or move to the next test section until the allotted time has passed. This policy may be different from the way your school administers extended time.

Eligibility

Students should request extended time only if their disability causes them to work more slowly than other students. If a student is usually able to complete classroom tests in the allotted time, or if the student’s inability to complete tests is not related to a disability, then extended time should not be requested.

In some cases, accommodations other than extended time may be more appropriate, such as:

  • Students with ADHD may find that the accommodation of a small group setting helps to reduce distractions.
  • Students with medical conditions, such as diabetes, may need breaks instead of extended time. Break time does not count as testing time.
  • On selected (AP) tests students with fine-motor impairments may need a large-print answer sheet rather than extended time. This answer sheet enables students to mark the response with an "X" instead of requiring them to fill in bubbles. .

Requests May Vary by Section or Test

Students may request extended time accommodations in one or more of the following sections:

  • Reading
  • Math
  • Writing
  • Listening
  • Speaking

Extended time may not be needed for every section or every test. For instance, a student with a disability impacting math calculations may not need extended time for writing sections.

However, students approved for extended time in reading will be provided extended time for all test sections that require reading.

For the SAT Suite of Assessments, students approved to test with extended time will also receive extra breaks. This applies to the PSAT 8/9, the PSAT/NMSQT, the PSAT 10, and the SAT (but not to AP Exams).

FAQ

How is extended time usually administered for the PSAT 8/9?

Under standard conditions, the PSAT 8/9 is 2 hours and 14 minutes of testing time, plus breaks:

  • 64 minutes for the Reading and Writing Test
  • 70 minutes for the Math Test

For 50% extended time, the PSAT 8/9 is 3 hours and 21 minutes of testing time, plus breaks:

  • 96 minutes for the Reading and Writing Test
  • 105 minutes for the Math Test

For 100% extended time, the PSAT 8/9 is 4 hours and 28 minutes of testing time, plus breaks:

  • 128 minutes for the Reading and Writing Test
  • 140 minutes for the Math Test

Read more

I have a disability. How do I apply for extended time on my SAT?

Read about Taking the SAT with Accommodations, then talk to your school’s SSD coordinator or read the How to Request Accommodations section of the Accommodations site.

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If a student is approved for extra time, how long will they have for their SAT test?

That depends on which extended time accommodation they receive. For an overview, read about taking the SAT with accommodations.

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Resources

Article

Documentation Guidelines: Extended Time

Guidelines for documenting the student’s difficulty in taking tests under timed conditions, including a link to the Teacher Survey Form.

Article

Know Your Dates and Deadlines

If a request is not submitted in time, accommodations might not be approved and in place in time for test day. Check the calendar for this year’s test dates and deadlines.

Article

How Accommodations Work for Each Test

How accommodations work for College Board exams requiring SSD approval: PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, SAT, or AP Exams.

Learn the easiest, most efficient way to request accommodations for a College Board test.