Special Accomodations for the GMAT!

Question

I don't know if everyone knows already but the testing agency doesn't advertise this. GMAT test takers are allowed to apply for special accomodations for the GMAT which includes (extended time, double time, more breaks, and whatever you to accomodate you.)

Does anyone have experience with this? Has anyone used these special accomodations before?

Please describe the process if you know/experienced these accomodations such as (double time, more breaks, extended breaks)

Do you get to stop the clock for extended breaks?

Tarmac · Answer

what's your source for this information?

madcowudub · Answer

everyone can apply for non-standard accommodations. It's on the GMAT website. I just want to know if anyone has applied for it and used any type of accommodation so that we all can know what to expect.

hadi86 · Answer

here is what it says on mba.com

"Request Nonstandard Testing Accommodations
If you have a documented disability and would like to request nonstandard testing accommodations, follow the registration procedures described in Register as a Test Taker with Disabilities."

dakotus · Answer

Get a note from the doctors saying you're dyslexic, that should get you some more time. I know you can do that on the MCAT, which is a lot harder of a test.

solaris1 · Answer

do bear in mind your score report will indicate you took the GMAT under non-standard accommodations.

madcowudub · Answer

that's not true. i called the testing agency and your sure won't show. before they put an little "*" by ur score but now they don't want to discriminate people who have health issues that they took that off. you guys can call and confirm to see if schools will see that in the score report.

rosellecs · Answer

Yes you can apply for special accomodations and the schools would not know you had special accomodations but you would have to prove alot to get it. I had a friend who tried to apply for it about 2 years ago because he had a mental disorder (OCD) but he still did not get it - he was asked to provide more information and he did not follow up. You would have to provide information regarding how you manage to function at work and in school and would most likely be expected to provide a letter from a doctor or psychiatrist providing information on treatment that has been administered & most likely they would probably expect you to have been afflicted for a few years (since people with disabilities usually struggle for years). If you don't have information from a medical professional I don't even think that you have a case since you're not considered to have a disability unless you're diagnosed by a professional

I know they ask you to specify what accomodations you think you need - be it extra breaks or double time and they consider it. They definitely know that this can be exploited so your case have to be convincing. They also ask stuff like 'what tests has been administered to prove that you need more time than any other test taker' since there are specific tests that are created to prove these things. I don't know if you must take the tests to be granted 'special accomodations' but I know that they will ask if you did. Some psychiatrists and psychologists provide these kind of testing services. This information should help.

madcowudub · Answer

i think mental illness is the hardest to prove. physical injuries is the easiest. i have some friends who got the accommodations approved with a doctor note backed by a certain amount of medical history.

i guess the point of my post isn't about how to get accommodation. i just want to know what exactly the accommodation experience is like when you get (extra breaks, unlimited breaks, extended breaks) does extra break mean you have a button to stop the clock whenever u want? etc....extra time is obvious.

as long as you think you have a legitamit reason you should try to get accommodation. it doesn't hurt and most people get a 100 point increase.

uphillclimb · Answer

A buddy of mine took it last year under special conditions - basically he got double time. But he is profoundly dyslexic, been in special schools with special tutors his whole life, so it was easy for him to document his condition. He had no difficulties registering for the test.

rosellecs · Answer

I dont understand madcowudub...if you have friends who got special accomodations, then why are you asking how it works here. I don't see how anyone would get special accomodations easily with just physical injuries...this is designed for mental and physical disability, not physical injuries. Regarding, you being interested in how this works, if you had read my earlier post you would have noticed that I mentioned that you're asked to recommend what you need and they would eventually decide what accomodations to provide based on your disability - obviously, it would not be the same for everyone.

madcowudub · Answer

well my friends received double time...and that is obvious..i didn't have to ask them. i just wanted to know what extended breaks / extra breaks are like.

rosellecs · Answer

What's awesome about this site is that there are alot of honest people here - people who are also appreciative of information provided after they ask a question and I'm sorry but you don't fit the above description....you sound clueless on this 'special accomodations' issue and with regards to your honesty...I won't be excited about reading your GMAT experience debrief. (because its obvious that you have no friends that received accomodations...according to you - friends with 'a certain amount of medical history' - what medical history? - and that's a rhetorical question - you do not have to respond)

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