extra time on tests and applying to college

[Anonymous]

I am curious if all the kids getting extra time on tests have to disclose this for college and/or does your high school mention on your application. My DC has been asking I look into this and I have always said no although DC could benefit as we manage some add issues. DC gets good grades but has to study a lot and is getting frustrated at so many kids with the extra time. My answer was always that this will catch up when applying for college but now am not so sure and wonder if I should go through the process for extra time to lessen stress.

[Anonymous]

Does your DC have a diagnosed disability like ADHD? Does DC have an IEP or 504?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if all the kids getting extra time on tests have to disclose this for college and/or does your high school mention on your application. My DC has been asking I look into this and I have always said no although DC could benefit as we manage some add issues. DC gets good grades but has to study a lot and is getting frustrated at so many kids with the extra time. My answer was always that this will catch up when applying for college but now am not so sure and wonder if I should go through the process for extra time to lessen stress.

No this is not reported to colleges. Once admitted to college the people with diagnosed issues then share that with college to get services there -- like extra time, etc.

But you have to have an issue. You can't just ask for extra time. Colleges (and most high schools) will require a report from a medical professional of some type.

[Anonymous]

DC was diagnosed with executive functioning and other issues at the beginning of high school after struggling mightily in MS. DC was entitled to extra time on tests and on the SAT. All of this was established at the beginning of 9th grade. I seem to recall being told that the accommodations for the SAT had to be sought very early in HS, but I could be mistaken. The accommodations were not disclosed in the college application process to my knowledge, but for all I know it was disclosed in the recommendation his college counselor drafted. After Senior year DC was retested and the accommodations were renewed for college. I do not know whether he ever used them in college. FWIW, the extra accommodations did not result in great grades. He still struggled at the private he was at and was a middle of the pack if not lower student. But having the diagnosis gave him some context for why he was struggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if all the kids getting extra time on tests have to disclose this for college and/or does your high school mention on your application. My DC has been asking I look into this and I have always said no although DC could benefit as we manage some add issues. DC gets good grades but has to study a lot and is getting frustrated at so many kids with the extra time. My answer was always that this will catch up when applying for college but now am not so sure and wonder if I should go through the process for extra time to lessen stress.

No this is not reported to colleges. Once admitted to college the people with diagnosed issues then share that with college to get services there -- like extra time, etc.

But you have to have an issue. You can't just ask for extra time. Colleges (and most high schools) will require a report from a medical professional of some type.

Not being snarky, but how do these kids turned adults tend to do in the workplace where they may not get extra time and accommodations they've had for years ? My son may be going down this road so I'm genuinely curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if all the kids getting extra time on tests have to disclose this for college and/or does your high school mention on your application. My DC has been asking I look into this and I have always said no although DC could benefit as we manage some add issues. DC gets good grades but has to study a lot and is getting frustrated at so many kids with the extra time. My answer was always that this will catch up when applying for college but now am not so sure and wonder if I should go through the process for extra time to lessen stress.

My kid has a high IQ, but has a severe learning disability that makes life an incredible challenge for him. He also has to study a lot, probably more than your kid, actually. Extra time on tests is no fun, by the way. Some tests and days can be very long. So please, please keep teaching your kid to be "frustrated" by the learning disabled and hoping that they get theirs in the end, including being shut out from college. For now, that's not the case-my kid is going to Georgetown! You and your kid sound like real gems.

[Anonymous]

No, it's not reported anywhere. DC has a 504 and gets extra time on tests in school and through College Board (SATs and AP Exams).

The extra time was key sophomore and junior years as DC learned to manage their text anxiety and ADHD issues. However, they know they will likely not get accommodations in college and have been working hard this year to reduce how much they rely on extra time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if all the kids getting extra time on tests have to disclose this for college and/or does your high school mention on your application. My DC has been asking I look into this and I have always said no although DC could benefit as we manage some add issues. DC gets good grades but has to study a lot and is getting frustrated at so many kids with the extra time. My answer was always that this will catch up when applying for college but now am not so sure and wonder if I should go through the process for extra time to lessen stress.

No this is not reported to colleges. Once admitted to college the people with diagnosed issues then share that with college to get services there -- like extra time, etc.

But you have to have an issue. You can't just ask for extra time. Colleges (and most high schools) will require a report from a medical professional of some type.

Not being snarky, but how do these kids turned adults tend to do in the workplace where they may not get extra time and accommodations they've had for years ? My son may be going down this road so I'm genuinely curious.

Well, they mostly don't becom surgeons or test pilots. Other than that, the real world works on projects on deadlines. Rarely is somebody tasked with something to be done in 15 minutes, that can't be done in 22 or an hour-long project that can't be done in an hour and half. If you're a boss that does ask that, you probably need management training. People ask this stupid question all the time. It's really a dumb question to ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if all the kids getting extra time on tests have to disclose this for college and/or does your high school mention on your application. My DC has been asking I look into this and I have always said no although DC could benefit as we manage some add issues. DC gets good grades but has to study a lot and is getting frustrated at so many kids with the extra time. My answer was always that this will catch up when applying for college but now am not so sure and wonder if I should go through the process for extra time to lessen stress.

No this is not reported to colleges. Once admitted to college the people with diagnosed issues then share that with college to get services there -- like extra time, etc.

But you have to have an issue. You can't just ask for extra time. Colleges (and most high schools) will require a report from a medical professional of some type.

Not being snarky, but how do these kids turned adults tend to do in the workplace where they may not get extra time and accommodations they've had for years ? My son may be going down this road so I'm genuinely curious.

In college, students can get extra time on exams but generally not extensions of due dates. Instead, they are expected to manage their time to allow for assignments taking longer. This is similar to how most work places work. Also, employees have more control than students: my 2e kid who can't write a paragraph under timed conditions isn't going to become a lawyer, but her difficulties won't stop her from being an amazing engineer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if all the kids getting extra time on tests have to disclose this for college and/or does your high school mention on your application. My DC has been asking I look into this and I have always said no although DC could benefit as we manage some add issues. DC gets good grades but has to study a lot and is getting frustrated at so many kids with the extra time. My answer was always that this will catch up when applying for college but now am not so sure and wonder if I should go through the process for extra time to lessen stress.

No this is not reported to colleges. Once admitted to college the people with diagnosed issues then share that with college to get services there -- like extra time, etc.

But you have to have an issue. You can't just ask for extra time. Colleges (and most high schools) will require a report from a medical professional of some type.

Wrong. You can shop around for a psychologist and you will find one to certify that your kid has issue and required extra time. It will cost you around 5K and will last three to four years, IIRC. I did that for one of my kids. He got extra time on SAT/ACT exam, and now that he is in college, he also get 50% extra time on exams. Just call college Student Services and it will be taken care of.

[Anonymous]

You don't just "go through the process" to get extra time.

A licensed professional (like a psychologist) spends more than a day conducting standardized screening tests that cost thousands of dollars to determine if the child has a learning disability or emotional/psychological issues.

It is no prize to find out that your brain does not work like other children's. Believe me, we were all in tears the day we learned that my child had a laundry list of disabilities.

You AND your child need a wake up call so he stops thinking his friends have some GREAT advantage over him.
That is a cruel myth.

[Anonymous]

It is not disclosed. My child has had an IEP since K and has double time, and nothing will be revealed. It is not advisable to disclose anything to admissions in the application process, but to contact the disability office to ask what services and accommodations are available, and what documentation you need to provide. The neuropsych should not be more than 4 years old (I've been told), so you might have to get a new one done in time for college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if all the kids getting extra time on tests have to disclose this for college and/or does your high school mention on your application. My DC has been asking I look into this and I have always said no although DC could benefit as we manage some add issues. DC gets good grades but has to study a lot and is getting frustrated at so many kids with the extra time. My answer was always that this will catch up when applying for college but now am not so sure and wonder if I should go through the process for extra time to lessen stress.

Would he like to trade places with my child? He's autistic, had no friends, and everything (including tests) takes him twice the time as everyone else, so he has less time to relax or for fun activities. Because while your son is "frustrated" that my child gets extra time, my child is frustrated that he *needs* (not wants) extra time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if all the kids getting extra time on tests have to disclose this for college and/or does your high school mention on your application. My DC has been asking I look into this and I have always said no although DC could benefit as we manage some add issues. DC gets good grades but has to study a lot and is getting frustrated at so many kids with the extra time. My answer was always that this will catch up when applying for college but now am not so sure and wonder if I should go through the process for extra time to lessen stress.

No this is not reported to colleges. Once admitted to college the people with diagnosed issues then share that with college to get services there -- like extra time, etc.

But you have to have an issue. You can't just ask for extra time. Colleges (and most high schools) will require a report from a medical professional of some type.

Not being snarky, but how do these kids turned adults tend to do in the workplace where they may not get extra time and accommodations they've had for years ? My son may be going down this road so I'm genuinely curious.

Well, they mostly don't becom surgeons or test pilots. Other than that, the real world works on projects on deadlines. Rarely is somebody tasked with something to be done in 15 minutes, that can't be done in 22 or an hour-long project that can't be done in an hour and half. If you're a boss that does ask that, you probably need management training. People ask this stupid question all the time. It's really a dumb question to ask.

Also, tests are designed to demonstrate WHAT YOU KNOW. Having more time to show whether or not you have knowledge is very different than taking twice as long to make a widget.

I am a professor and usually give all students as much time as they need to complete my tests. I want to find out if they understand the content I taught them. I don't care if they can show me that quickly. It is not a race. I just want to see if they grasp the concepts I tried to convey to them.

Do you understand the difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if all the kids getting extra time on tests have to disclose this for college and/or does your high school mention on your application. My DC has been asking I look into this and I have always said no although DC could benefit as we manage some add issues. DC gets good grades but has to study a lot and is getting frustrated at so many kids with the extra time. My answer was always that this will catch up when applying for college but now am not so sure and wonder if I should go through the process for extra time to lessen stress.

Would he like to trade places with my child? He's autistic, had no friends, and everything (including tests) takes him twice the time as everyone else, so he has less time to relax or for fun activities. Because while your son is "frustrated" that my child gets extra time, my child is frustrated that he *needs* (not wants) extra time.

Bravo.

OP really needs to go back to the drawing board with that kid. And she herself needs more education and compassion.