Taking the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 with Accommodations
All students taking the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 with accommodations must have approval from College Board's Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).
Before Test Day
Families should check with the school’s SSD coordinator to make sure accommodations are in place and no further documentation is required—especially if the student was approved at another school or the family did not go through the school to request accommodations.
Students should also take advantage of practice questions and official practice tests using the assistive technology–compatible format (ATC) and prerecorded audio.
On Test Day
All students testing with accommodations should remember to bring their SSD eligibility letter.
What to Know About Extended Time
Students approved for extended time must stay for the amount of time for which they are approved, even if they are able to stop before time is called. They may not move onto the next section or subject until the allotted time has passed.
Under standard conditions, the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 take 2 hours and 45 minutes with two breaks. Testing time for students with approved extended time accommodations varies:
- With time and one-half (+50%), the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 take 4 hours and 9 minutes, plus breaks.
- With double time (+100%), the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 take 5 hours and 30 minutes, plus breaks.
Students approved for extended time are also approved for extra breaks.
When students are approved for extended time, they may be approved in some or all of five competencies (reading, mathematical calculation, written expression, listening, and speaking). They will receive extended time only for sections impacted by their disabilities. Some examples include:
- Students approved for extended time in reading receive extended time for the entire assessment because all sections require reading.
- Students approved for extended time in mathematical calculations, but not reading, receive extended time for math sections only.
- Students approved for extended time only in written expression, speaking, or listening (but not in reading or math) will not receive extended time for the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10.
What to Know About Breaks
Under standard conditions, students taking the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 have one 5-minute break after section 1 and one 5-minute break after section 3.
There are three types of breaks:
- Extra breaks: Students have three additional 5-minute breaks.
- Extended breaks: Instead of the 5-minute break in the standard administration, students are given 10-minute breaks.
- Breaks as needed: Students may break at any time during the exam for as long as needed—within reason.
FAQ
I was approved for accommodations, where do I go to find my eligibility letter?
SSD coordinators can check through the SSD Online dashboard; students will receive a copy by postal mail. If you need to request a copy of your decision letter, contact SSD Customer Service.