ADHD Accommodation with late diagnosis

Question

Hello, sorry if it is out of topic

I was just diagnosed last month with ADHD after see psychiatrist to treat anxiety

I have never tried to see it before because during my early life, I didn't have medical insurance and psychiatrist costs were too expensive to my family afford

So, I am wondering if there is any issue asking ADHD accommodations having a late diagnosis

I started my prep last month, I plan to pass my first gmat early 2021

Thank you in advance

nightblade354 · Answer

If your Psychiatrist is willing to write a letter, you probably will be able to get extra time: https://www.google.com/search?q=gmat+ac ... e&ie=UTF-8

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi ibritogu,

You can learn more about how to apply for Testing Accommodations because of your ADHD here:

https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/before-t ... sabilities

GMAC has a specific process for determining who should receive those types of accommodations - and a recent diagnosis might work against you. Oftentimes, those GMATers who receive accommodations have a lengthy, documented history of their situation (with Doctors records, medical prescriptions, prior Exams in which they received accomodations, etc.). Without that type of background, you might not qualify for the accommodations that you are interested in. There's certainly no harm in applying though, although the process is lengthy and includes a number of expenses (including visiting a Doctor who is approved by GMAC).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  ibritogu . I agree with what others have written above. The longer the paper trail leading up to your diagnosis, the more reasonable you will likely find GMAC™ to be in providing accommodations. There are different levels of accommodations as well, and GMAC™ uses its own criteria to decide who gets which ones. For example, I worked with one student who requested double time, since, according to a medical evaluation he had received while enlisted, his processing speed was below the 15th percentile. GMAC™ granted only time and a half, perhaps because on that same evaluation form (which the student shared with me of his own accord), all the other percentiles were pretty high, including the more controversial general intelligence measure.

Be prepared to supply as much evidence as you can about how your condition may have affected your academic or test performance in the past. Such information, combined with the professional diagnosis, will present the most compelling case.

Good luck.

- Andrew

scream7 · Answer

Hi Rich
What do u mean when u say " visiting a Doctor who is approved by GMAC ". Does GMAC approves doctors? is there a list? how can we know?

bb · Answer

I don't think there is a list. You should start the process early and allow 5-6 weeks at least. 
Then, if GMAC needs you to visit a specific doctor to get a second opinion, they will let you know about it, but usually not necessary.

scream7 · Answer

Thanks for the reply, I have a question though
I got to know about my adhd last year but didnt get diagnosed yet. If I get diagnosed now, 2 months prior to exam day, will they grant me the accommodation? I really do struggle a lot, just had no idea it was adhd

bb · Answer

It is hard to tell. I have known someone who has gone and diagnosed themselves and got a doctor to do a diagnosis (they were mildly ADHD) and they were granted the permission to take 50% more time. The interesting fact was that they did not improve their score at the end and got the same 720 or 730, but YMMV.

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ADHD Accommodation with late diagnosis

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