Exam Accommodations
Need testing accommodations for a high-stakes exam (like the bar, SAT, MCAT, or boards)?
Grey Matter Psych Assessment offers expert neuropsychological assessment in Santa Monica, CA for teens and adults.
Serving Greater Los Angeles and Californians virtually.
Unlock your academic potential with exam accommodations.
If you or your child are seeking academic accommodations for standardized tests, college entrance exams, or classroom assessments, professional testing is a crucial first step. Our specialized assessment services are designed to help you obtain the accommodations you need to perform at your best.
Why is testing required for exam accommodations?
Most schools, universities, and testing organizations (such as the College Board, ACT, and state education agencies) require comprehensive documentation of a disability or learning difference before granting accommodations. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, eligibility for accommodations must be supported by objective evidence, typically a recent psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation.
Our testing services provide thorough, evidence-based assessments that meet the requirements of educational institutions and testing organizations. We use standardized tools and follow best practices recommended by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the American Psychological Association (APA).
Examples of Exam Accommodations
Depending on your needs and the results of your evaluation, accommodations may include:
Extended Time: Extra time to complete tests or assignments.
Separate Testing Environment: A quiet room away from distractions.
Assistive Technology: Use of computers, calculators, or reading software.
Breaks During Testing: Scheduled or as-needed breaks.
Alternate Formats: Large print, audio, or Braille versions of exams.
Scribe or Reader Assistance: Someone to write or read test questions.
Research shows that appropriate accommodations can significantly improve academic outcomes for students with documented disabilities (Lindstrom, 2007; Gregg, 2009). Accommodations are not about giving an unfair advantage. They level the playing field and allow students to demonstrate their true abilities.
Why are testing accommodations necessary?
For individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD, Dyslexia, or Autism, standardized testing environments often measure the symptoms of their disability rather than their actual knowledge or aptitude. This is known in psychometrics as construct-irrelevant variance.
Accommodations are designed to remove these barriers, allowing the student’s true cognitive abilities to surface. Here is how research explains their effectiveness:
Mitigating Deficits in Processing Speed and Executive Function
Individuals with ADHD and learning disabilities often struggle with processing speed— the time it takes to take in information, make sense of it, and respond.
The Research: Studies indicate that students with ADHD often demonstrate significant "time blindness" and difficulties with executive functions like planning and organizing thoughts (Barkley, 2012).
The Benefit: Extended time allows these students to compensate for slower processing and the extra "cognitive tax" required to organize their responses. Research on the "Differential Boost" hypothesis suggests that while all students may benefit from extra time, students with documented disabilities receive a significantly greater boost, effectively leveling the playing field (Lovett, 2010).
Reducing the Impact of Distractibility
For those with ADHD or sensory processing sensitivities (common in ASD), a standard testing hall is full of "noise"—the sound of a clock ticking, a peer turning a page, or someone coughing.
The Research: Neurobiological studies show that individuals with ADHD have a harder time "filtering" irrelevant sensory input due to differences in the brain's prefrontal cortex (Arnsten, 2009).
The Benefit: A separate, low-distraction testing environment reduces the external stimuli that would otherwise hijack the student’s attention, allowing them to maintain focus on the test material itself.
Managing Cognitive Fatigue and Working Memory Limits
Many neurodevelopmental diagnoses involve challenges with working memory—the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind.
The Research: Students with Dyslexia or ADHD must use significantly more neural resources to decode words or stay on task than neurotypical peers. This leads to rapid cognitive fatigue (Jensen et al., 2013).
The Benefit: Frequent breaks allow the brain to "reset" and recover from the intense effort of compensation. Similarly, assistive technology (like text-to-speech) offloads the mechanical burden of reading, allowing the student to use their cognitive energy for high-level comprehension and analysis.
Alleviating Secondary Test Anxiety
There is a high comorbidity between neurodevelopmental disorders and anxiety. When a student knows their brain processes information differently, the pressure of a timed, standard exam can trigger a "freeze" response.
The Research: Research suggests that accommodations can reduce physiological stress markers in students with disabilities, preventing "test anxiety" from masking their actual academic proficiency (Harrison et al., 2013).
The Benefit: Knowing that accommodations are in place reduces the "panic factor," allowing the student to approach the exam with a mindset conducive to problem-solving.
Exam Accommodations Services
Classroom Accommodations for ChildrenUnderstanding whether your child has ADHD, a learning disorder, or any other learning differences can change the trajectory of their education and possibilities in the future. We know that children with undiagnosed learning differences get more negative feedback from adults and that can lead to low self-esteem and depression.
We test children beginning at age 6. They usually aren’t taking big exams yet, but we can still support them in getting a comprehensive and supportive 504/IEP plan. The full testing process takes 2-6 weeks total.
Exam Accommodations in TeensIf you believe your teen’s focus, attention issues, or learning differences are getting in the way of their education or social functioning, then testing will help you get a diagnosis and advocate for an IEP plan.
We test teens at all stages of their education. The full testing process takes 2-6 weeks total. You can use the detailed report to advocate for a 504 in high school or for testing accommodations for the SAT or college exams.
Exam Accommodations for AdultsYou might have already been diagnosed with a learning difference, but now you have a big exam (LSAT, GRE, MCAT, etc) and you need exam accommodations. We provide comprehensive evaluation and then write a report that supports your application for exam accommodations.
The testing process takes 2-6 weeks total. A full and detailed report will help you advocate for yourself at work/college/advanced education, while also giving you resources to increase your insight and self-compassion.
What disabilities qualify for accommodations?
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Learning disorders, like dyslexia, auditory processing disorder, dyspraxia, dysgraphia
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Complex psychiatric diagnoses
What are neuroaffirming evaluations and why do they matter?
A neuroaffirming evaluation is an assessment process that recognizes, respects, and values neurological diversity, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental differences. Unlike traditional approaches that focus primarily on deficits or pathology, neuroaffirming evaluations emphasize strengths, unique cognitive styles, and the lived experiences of the individual.
Key Features of Neuroaffirming Evaluations:
Strengths-Based: Identifies not only challenges but also talents and adaptive skills.
Individualized: Considers personal history, cultural context, and self-advocacy.
Respectful Language: Uses non-stigmatizing, person-centered terminology.
Collaborative: Involves the individual (and family, if appropriate) in the assessment process.
Holistic: Looks beyond test scores to consider emotional, social, and environmental factors.
Why Is a Neuroaffirming Evaluation Helpful for Exam Accommodations?
More Accurate and Personalized Recommendations. Neuroaffirming evaluations provide a nuanced understanding of how an individual’s brain works, highlighting both barriers and assets. This allows for accommodations that are truly tailored to the person’s needs—rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Reduces Stigma and Anxiety. When the evaluation process is respectful and affirming, individuals are more likely to feel empowered, understood, and less anxious about their differences. This positive framing can boost self-esteem and motivation, which are critical for academic success.
Promotes Self-Advocacy. By focusing on strengths and neurodiversity, neuroaffirming evaluations encourage individuals to advocate for themselves. They learn to articulate what works for them and why, which is essential for securing appropriate accommodations in school and beyond.
Aligns with Current Best Practices. Research and guidelines from organizations like the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists emphasize the importance of strength-based, neurodiversity-informed assessment (Russell et al., 2022). This approach is increasingly recognized as best practice in educational and clinical settings.
Supports Holistic Well-Being. Neuroaffirming evaluations consider mental health, social factors, and environmental supports—not just academic performance. This leads to recommendations that support the whole person, improving outcomes in and out of the classroom.
Our psychologists are certified neuroaffirming practitioners. We use neuroaffirming and supportive language to help you understand your differences, rather than your deficits.
ADHD recovery at home
Through NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback Rentals
Beyond testing, there’s a really powerful way you can begin to train your brain for better focus, attention to detail, and motivation. Introducing NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback.
This is professional-grade, easy-to-use neurofeedback from the comfort of your home. Non-linear neurofeedback is a non-invasive and safe way to train your brain to be more focused and feel more motivation. ADHDers out there will know that this a be huge daily struggle.
We rent our professional-grade systems to you so you can brain train from the comfort of you home. If you don’t want to add one more appointment to your week but still want the benefits of neurofeedback, reach out to us about renting our professional systems.
Other testing resources
Read more about ADHD diagnosis and treatment here.
Wondering if you might be ADHD but you aren’t sure? You can take our ADHD quiz here.
Want to help your brain feel less distracted and more motivated but you don’t have time for another appointment on your schedule? You can rent our professional-grade neurofeedback systems here.