Many students and educators, from high school to grad school, often presume that requesting accommodations means asking a school or educational testing company for 50% more time on exams.
Somehow, that became everyone’s default.
Given my experience as a disability attorney supporting student accommodation requests, I think it’s time to bust the myth that the default is the ideal accommodation for every student. On a 35 minute LSAT section, 53 minutes total (50% more time) might not be what you need.
Like a pair of shoes, a set of accommodations needs to be a good fit - a level playing field so you can compete with those without functional limitations.
In developing a level playing field, time is just one of many accommodations available to students with disabilities. There are changes to the test format, location, access to breaks, and more.
And 50% more of it might not be the reasonable and appropriate fit for you either.
Frankly, if you’re a quick processor with a tendency to change right answers to wrong, more time might not be the antidote.
And on the other hand, what if you struggle with processing challenges due to a TBI or ADHD or dyslexia, and even at 50% extra time, you can’t access much of the second half of any test section, or you still rush through every question except the easier ones because otherwise you won’t finish? In that case, you may need more of it.
You can schedule an eligibility consultation or accommodation consultation through the accommodations link in our bio.
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