ACT Nat Sp-Allowable Accommodations and EL Supports

PLANNING INFORMATION—PAPER TESTING

Available Accommodations

and English Learner Supports

PROGRAM: NATIONAL, SPECIAL | PRODUCT: THE ACT | AUDIENCE: TESTING STAFF

Planning information:

This document is

intended to help testing staff assist students,

families, and school staff in planning for

students to take the ACT

test on paper with

accommodations and/or English learner (EL)

supports.

Submitting a Request

Students must register to take the ACT test

(via MyACT

) and work with a school official to

submit a request for accommodations and/or

EL supports via the Test Accessibility and

Accommodations System (TAA). Note: This

must be done by the late registration

deadline for their preferred test date.

The lists in this document describe the

allowable accommodations that are available

via National or Special testing. Please see the

document National vs Special for high-level

differences between National and Special

testing.

Accommodations not listed: If a student

needs an accommodation not listed in this

document, they should work with their school

official to request the unlisted

accommodations in TAA, and ACT will

consider the request on an individualized

basis.

Test location: Students testing with approved

accommodations and/or EL supports will test

at a National test center or through Special

testing (arranged with a school official during

a designated two-week window). ACT

determines the test location based on

authorized accommodations. All EL supports

can be provided at a National test center.

Note: The student is responsible for bringing

any authorized items to the test location. ACT

will provide the test booklet (including large

print or braille) and answer documents.

National Testing Center

Standard Room

The following accommodations can be

provided at a National testing center in a

standard room with examinees testing

without accommodations or EL supports.

Timing

 Standard time

Presentation

 3x5 card or ruler for tracking

 Answer masking (3x5 card)

 Answer eliminator (marking off answers in

the test booklet)

 Bilingual word-to-word dictionary (ACT-

authorized)

 Colored overlays

 Large-print testing materials

 Magnifier or highlighter

 Sign language interpreter to sign verbal

instructions (not test items)

 Translated test directions printed locally

(ACT translations)

 Written copy of spoken instructions

Response

 Mark answers in the test booklet

Setting

 Accessible calculator (nonstandard)

 Food, drink, or medication for examinees

with medical needs

 Medical device (e.g., insulin pump, heart

monitor) without a cell phone or other

digital device to monitor the medical

device

 Notification of time remaining (alternative

to verbal warning)

 Preferential seating

 Service animal

 Wheelchair-accessibility

Extended Time Room

All accommodations/EL supports allowed in a

standard room at a National testing center

can be provided in an extended time room.

 One and one-half time

 Small group

Individual Room

All accommodations/EL supports allowed in a

standard or extended time room at a National

testing center can be provided in a single

room if any of the following supports are

authorized.

 Breaks as needed (for standard time)

 Fidget devices

 Medical monitoring device paired with a

cell phone or other digital device

 Noise buffer/ear plugs

 Read testing items out loud to self

 Stand/walk/pace

Special Testing

Date and time arranged with the school

All accommodations listed for National testing

can be provided through Special testing if the

examinee is also approved for

accommodations that require Special testing.

Group testing is required for examinees with

the same timing unless the authorized

accommodation requires an individual

administration.

Special Testing Accommodations

and EL Supports

Timing

 Time and one-half, multiple days

 Double time, multiple days

 Triple time, multiple days

 Standard time, multiple days

 Double time on the writing test only (only

applicable if the examinee registered with

writing)

 Late-start testing

Presentation and Formats

 Braille (UEB Math/Science)

 Braille (UEB with Nemeth)

 Human reader

 Pre-recorded audio (URL)

 Sign language interpreter, entire test

Response and Navigation

 Assistive device/technology (e.g., AAC

device, abacus, switch, geoboard, etc.)

 Braille response

 Computer for the writing test (only

applicable if the examinee registered for

the test with writing)

 Scribe

 Speech-to-text software for the essay

 Spell checker

Setting and Location

 Background music/white noise machine

(individual room)

 Environmental adaptations (special

lighting, air conditioning, slant board,

adaptive furniture)

 Personal aide

 Test location (administration at home or

care facility)

 Verbal cues to stay on task