How to Apply for GRE Accommodations as a Disabled in 2024

Knowing how to apply for GRE accommodations as a Disabled in 2024 will save you time and allow you to channel your energy towards acing your GRE.

The exam can be challenging for students with learning disabilities, mental health issues, exam anxiety, or those who experience physical pain from sitting for long periods.

For these reasons, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) offers exam accommodations so that students with disabilities or medical conditions can take the exam in more comfortable environments than would be the case in a legal environment.

This article provides a detailed overview of the GRE test accommodations on offer and instructions for applicants with disabilities who wish to apply in 2024.

It covers available accommodation options, who is eligible, when you can apply, your application and how to submit your assessment profile or other supporting documents.

Basic Information About GRE.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) is a third-party provider of standardized exams, including the GRE. Doctoral schools use it in Germany and abroad as part of the admissions process.

The GRE includes Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing sections. If you are applying to a program that requires an exam in your specialty, you will also need to take a different test for each specialty.

You only need to take the general GRE once if you are applying for a master’s program that does not require a separate subject-specific exam.

The GRE is not a beginner’s test and requires a thorough understanding of college-appropriate educational material.

Most applicants will have at least an undergraduate degree in the following fields: humanities, computation, sciences (including biology), and social sciences.

You should be aware of the available accommodations and how they may affect your GRE performance if you plan to use them as part of your college application process.

Find out how to achieve a perfect GRE score- How to Achieve the Perfect GRE Score: A Comprehensive Guide.

Basic Information About The GRE Accommodations.

Accommodation is a crucial part of participating in the GRE.

Students with physical or mental health problems or disabilities have the right to take exams that allow them to perform at their best and achieve the highest grade.

You may be able to get accommodation for the test through ETS Disability Services if your medical condition prevents you from taking the test as usual.

What Are GRE Accommodations?

Exam accommodations are standardized test adjustments made to allow disabled students to perform as well as possible and receive the highest grade possible.

ETS defines accommodations as modifications to the test or test circumstances that allow test takers with disabilities to demonstrate their knowledge.

This is not about how they learn or how they don’t learn. Simply put, the accommodation tests aim to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills when taking the GRE.

Learn how GRE vs. LSAT conversion matrix works- GRE To LSAT Conversion Matrix | How It Works in 2023

Varieties of GRE Accommodations.

Students taking the GRE can request accommodations, including extra test time and breaks.

They can also request computer-related accommodations, assistance with exam administration, visual accommodations, and test formats.

Depending on their individual needs, a student with a disability may be entitled to some or all of these accommodations.

Below is an overview of each type:

1. Breaks and Extra Time.

On the GRE, weather-related arrangements are most typical. Most people applying for accommodation will be aware of this.

These are the following GRE time extensions:

Fifty percent more time on all sections of the test.
During the double time, 100% more time is available for all practice sections.
You can use additional breaks to refocus, go to the bathroom, or take medication.

Students with medical needs such as digestive issues, immune or endocrine function issues, and cardiovascular issues get most time-related accommodations,

Students who meet one or more of these conditions are eligible for accommodation for additional periods.

If you have diabetes and need blood sugar control, you should request this accommodation.

It’s worth taking a look if you think they might be useful. Many people are unaware of extra breaks, but even this small adjustment can have a significant impact.

The extra time gives you more time for each question while allowing you to manage your health effectively. This makes it easier and less stressful to answer all the GRE questions in the allotted time.

2. Accessibility Adjustments.

Due to the digital nature of the GRE, many of the accommodation options are fundamentally different than those for paper tests such as the SAT or ACT.

Students can use a variety of accommodations to take the test via the computer-based GRE

Students requesting accessibility accommodation can anticipate the following:

A comfortable keyboard
IntelliKey keyboard
JAWS screen reader software, with or without an updatable braille device.
Keyboard with trackball or touchpad.
Screen customizations such as font, colour, and magnification adjustments.

The above options only apply to the written portion of the test.

Students who need oral translation of parts of the exam, e.g. B. Instructions, can be adapted.

ETS provides the following verbal accessibility adaptations:

Help with reading or writing.
Oral interpretation, including sign language.
Braille options (Perkins, Slate, and Stylus).

3. Alternate Test Formats.

For students with visual impairments, the GRE also offers alternative test formats. These modifications consist of a Braille test, large print answer sheets and manuals, and test recordings with audio.

The only applicants entitled to these adjustments are persons who are blind, legally blind or visually impaired.

The accessibility changes above are a great way to make the tests more accessible to all students, even if they’re not perfect.

Additionally, the ETS may provide special accommodation if you contact them and specify the type you require.

Find out the differences between GRE and SAT- GRE vs. SAT: Top 15 Key Differences.

Applying for GRE Accommodations.

Getting in touch with Educational Testing Service (ETS) and asking for one or more of their services is the first step in requesting GRE accommodations.

Once you’ve submitted your request, ETS will examine it and inform you of your eligibility for any of their services and which ones, if any, you are eligible for.

If you are not eligible for services, you must speak with each school separately to learn about their test-accommodation policies.

Documentation.

To be eligible for GRE testing accommodations, you must have a verified official diagnosis of your disability from a qualified professional (a doctor, social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist), which details how it affects your capacity to perform academically.

You will also need proof of your disability from a licensed professional who can attest to it if your impairment is not obvious (such as blindness or deafness).

The documentation of any prior test results or other proof of the impact of the disability on your current performance level must also be included with your application.

Additionally, you must send a copy of your most recent assessment report from this expert to ETS. This information can be turned in online through your ETS account, by email, postal mail, or a courier service.

The Test Takers with Disabilities Supplement from the ETS contains more details.

Read this article to find out what you can bring to the GRE test- What to Bring to the GRE Test Day? How to Prepare for the GRE.

Application Procedure.

When you have given ETS all of the necessary information, they will review your request and decide whether or not to provide you with accommodations for the GRE.

They will send you an email outlining the accommodations that have been approved and providing guidelines on how to use them effectively during the exam.

It can take 4 to 6 weeks to process your request, and that’s in an average year. That’s the difficult part.

Plan if you ask for customized accommodations because the process will take longer.

Luckily, the ETS provides all of its official test preparation materials in an accessible format, so you can practice exactly how you would take the test while you wait for your accommodations to be processed.

The following are some of the more frequently requested GRE test accommodations for ETS Disabilities.

Screen enlargement.
Choosable foreground and background colours.
Braille.
Oral interpreter.
Interpreter for sign language.
Large print on the test book and answer sheet.
Voice recordings.
A person reading.
Additional GRE testing time.
Additional breaks
Applying Online

In your ETS Account, you can apply for GRE testing accommodations, view approved GRE special accommodations, and see test dates.

To do this, sign into your ETS Account, go to the “Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-Related Needs” section of the main home page, and click “GRE Accommodation Status/New Request.”.

Applying By Email

To register, email disability. reg@ets. org. For all other inquiries, email stassd@ets. Org.

Can admissions officials see that my GRE received accommodations?

Most of the time, graduate schools won’t know if you took the GRE with accommodations.

In most cases, ETS does not “flag” results for test takers who require accommodations. However, they note that on rare occasions, they will flag results using the term “nonstandard administration .”

This only occurs “if the test is significantly altered. The best way to determine whether this applies to your test accommodations is to contact ETS Disability Services and talk about it.

Requests for accommodations must be made within a certain period. Send in your request as soon as you can.

Once ETS receives your request and all necessary paperwork, the documentation review process takes about 4–6 weeks.

If more information is needed, it might take another two to four weeks for the review to be finished after receiving the new information.

Although ETS is committed to creating alternative test formats as soon as possible, production times may change.

How to Apply for Accommodations That Have Already Been Approved.

You can request the same accommodations again without providing disability documentation if you have already received accommodations from ETS and your approval is still valid.

If your previous accommodations are still acceptable for the current test, ETS will approve them again.

Suppose you have previously been granted testing accommodations for exams like the ACT, SAT, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, etc.

In that case, you can submit a copy of your approval letter to request the same accommodations for an ETS test.

There is no need for supporting documentation of a disability.

If the accommodations another testing organization has granted you do not compromise test security or construction, they will be accepted.

By submitting only: you can hasten the processing of your request. The Applicant Request for Testing Accommodations form, parts I and II, can be found in the Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-Related Needs.

The registration form for the test program. Letter of endorsement from a different standardized testing organization (for tests other than ETS). An appropriate fee.

How to Apply for GRE Accommodations as a Disabled in 2024.

The following steps summarize how you can apply for GRE accommodations in 2024 as a disabled.

Step One: Look Through a List of Testing Accommodations.

To decide which accommodations you’ll require, check out the frequently requested testing accommodations list.

If the accommodation you require isn’t mentioned, you can list it under “Other” on the testing accommodations request form in the test’s bulletin supplement.

Step Two: Study the Bulletin.

To find out about program policies, tests offered, test dates, fees and payment procedures, identification requirements, and other crucial information, review the Bulletin for the test you intend to take.

You should fill out the forms in the Bulletin Supplement using Adobe Reader or Adobe Pro if you’re using a screen reader.

Step 3: Evaluate Your Testing Choices.

Visit the website of your testing program to view the testing options offered so you can choose the one that is best for you.

TOEFL® Essentials™ website

Step 4: Complete the Registration Form

The relevant Registration Form should be filled out in the Bulletin Supplement for your program. Complete the request form for testing accommodations. Fill out the appropriate Bulletin Supplement form for requesting testing accommodations.

Step 5: Determine Whether You Require Disability Documentation.

If it is unnecessary for you to, do not submit any disability documentation.

Step 6: Send Your Request to ETS.

You can email or mail in requests for testing accommodations. Make sure to submit each of the documents mentioned above. It will take longer to process your request if your application is incomplete.

When Mailing submission, include the appropriate registration form for the test you’ll take from the Bulletin Supplement and program website.

Don’t include credit card details on your registration form if you’d rather pay online.

You will get an email with payment instructions once your application has been received.

Send all completed paperwork and forms to ETS Disability Services; P. O. Box 6054; Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6054, USA. ETS Disability Services; 225 Phillips Boulevard; Ewing, New Jersey 08618-1426, USA.

Commonly Asked Questions About How to Apply for GRE Accommodations as a Disabled.

Here are some frequently asked questions about how to apply for GRE accommodations as a Disabled in 2024.

Please feel free to ask any further questions in the comment section below.

1. Can Someone with ADHD be Given Extra Time on the GRE?

The ETS has a policy that grants students with disabilities extra time on the GRE if they can demonstrate how their disability affects “their use of standard time limits during the test.

They should also provide documentation from an appropriate professional familiar with the student’s condition.

You may ask for more time on the test if you have ADHD and can demonstrate how it affects your ability to utilize the allotted time.

It’s crucial to remember, though, that if your issue isn’t one of focus or memory but rather a particular deficiency in math or critical reading abilities, taking more time may not significantly raise your score.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Level of Difficulty Does the GRE have?

The GRE is a challenging examination. It calls for quick thinking, understanding new vocabulary, and creative problem-solving.

The GRE is a lengthy exam, lasting up to three hours and 45 minutes, with no breaks permitted.
Your general knowledge of various subjects, including math, science, your command of the English language, and others, is tested on this exam.

Additionally, the test evaluates vocabulary usage, analytical and critical thinking abilities, and critical thinking.

Therefore, if you don’t know enough about these subjects or aren’t interested in them, it cannot be easy to answer some questions accurately.

It’s also important to remember that the GRE was created as an adaptive test, which means it changes its difficulty level based on how well you answered earlier questions.

This enables you to respond to questions according to their degree of difficulty rather than guessing at each one randomly, as in some other standardized tests.

2. How Much Time Should be Spent Studying for the GRE?

How well-versed you are in a range of subjects will determine how much time you need to study for the GRE.
There’s a good chance you know a lot about a wide range of subjects and ideas if you’re currently enrolled in college or university.
Therefore, studying may not be important compared to someone not currently enrolled in school.
Even if you are already very knowledgeable about most subjects, you may still need to spend additional time studying for certain sections of the GRE.

Conclusion

We hope you now understand everything about how to apply for GRE accommodations as a disabled in 2024.

Feel free to share this article and ask any other questions you might have about how to apply for GRE accommodations as a disabled in 2024.

References

Ets.org– How to apply for GRE Accommodations
Ginsburdadvancedtutoring.com– The GRE accommodations
Petersons.com– Using the GRE Calculator
Khanacademy.org– GRE Math: How to Use the Calculator

How to Apply for GRE Accommodations as a Disabled