Taking the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT with Accommodations
All students taking the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT 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 screen reader (text-to-speech) they will use on test day.
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 8/9, PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT take 2 hours and 14 minutes with one break.
- With time and one-half (+50%), the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT take 3 hours and 21 minutes, plus breaks.
- With double time (+100%), the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT take 4 hours and 28 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 8/9, PSAT 10 or PSAT/NMSQT
What to Know About Breaks
Under standard conditions, students taking the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT have one 10-minute break between the reading and math section.
There are three types of breaks:
- Extra breaks: Students have two additional 5-minute breaks between part 1 and part 2 of each section.
- Extended breaks: Instead of the 10-minute break in the standard administration, students are given a 20-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.