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Welcome to the GED testing program!

GED Testing Service is committed to ensuring access to the GED test for all individuals with disabilities and supports the intention of the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended (ADAAA).

What are accommodations?

The purpose of accommodations is to provide candidates with an opportunity to have full access to the GED test. However, accommodations are not a guarantee of improved performance or test completion. GED Testing Service provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations to individuals with documented disabilities who demonstrate a need for accommodations.

For example, GED test accommodations may include things such as:

• An audio version of the test
• A separate testing room
• Extra testing time
• Extra breaks
• Presentation of the material in large print

Test accommodations are individualized and considered on a case-by-case basis. Consequently, no single type of accommodation (i.e., extra time) would necessarily be appropriate for all individuals with disabilities. In addition, simply demonstrating that an individual meets diagnostic criteria for a particular disorder does not mean that the person is automatically entitled to accommodations.

What accommodations are right for me?

Specific accommodations should be related to the identified functional limitations. For example, a functional limitation might be impaired vision which prevents the individual from viewing the test in the standard font size. An appropriate accommodation might be a large-print test booklet. It is essential that the documentation of the disability provide a clear explanation of the current functional limitation and a rationale for the requested accommodation. You should work with your doctor or other professionals who know you to determine which accommodations are appropriate for you.

All GED candidates who are requesting accommodations because of a disability must provide appropriate documentation of their condition and how it is expected to affect their ability to take the GED test under standard conditions.

How do I request accommodations?

View the "Steps to Take" below and use the links at the right to download forms, guidelines and other resources.

Steps to Take

1. Read the Documentation Guidelines for Candidates (PDF; 58KB). Make sure the documentation of your disability meets our guidelines. You may want to review your documentation with the Chief Examiner at your GED testing center.
    
2. Print a copy of the Accommodations Request Form for your disability and complete Section 1. You can also get a copy of this form from the Chief Examiner of your preferred testing center.
    
3. If you haven't already done so, give your evaluator (doctor, psychologist) a copy of the Documentation Guidelines for Evaluators for your disability. Your evaluator should make sure that the documentation they provide to you meets our guidelines. In most cases, your evaluator will be a psychologist or doctor who administered a series of psychological, educational, or medical tests with you, and provided you with a copy of a diagnostic report of that testing or a detailed letter.
    
4. Give your Accommodations Request Form to your evaluator and have him/her complete the relevant sections.
    
5. When both you and your evaluator have completed the Accommodations Request Form, bring the completed form along with your supporting documentation to your preferred GED Testing Center. The Chief Examiner will review your materials with you.
   
   It would be helpful (but is not required) for you to provide additional supporting documentation, such as:
   
   
   • School records showing your participation in special education services in school
   • Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
   • Transcripts from middle school or high school
   • Other records showing a history of academic difficulties due to your disability
   
    
6. When you and the testing center's Chief Examiner have put together a complete packet of documentation, the Chief Examiner will send the materials to the jurisdiction's GED Administrator, who will review your request. The administrator may forward your file to GED Testing Service for expert review.
    
7. The accommodations decision will be communicated to you through the Chief Examiner at your testing center. In most cases you will hear a decision within 30 days.
    
8. If you are not satisfied with the accommodations decision, you may appeal this decision by completing an Appeal Form (PDF; 253KB) and providing us with additional documentation to review. All appeal requests are reviewed by disability experts.

Accommodations Request Forms

• Learning and Other Cognitive Disabilities (LCD) (PDF; 279KB)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (PDF; 246KB)
• Psychological and Psychiatric Disorders (EPP) (PDF; 252KB)
• Physical Disorders and Chronic Health Conditions (PCH) (PDF; 253KB)
• Appeal (PDF; 253KB)
• Request for Extension (Of a previously approved accommodation) (PDF; 92KB)

Documentation Guidelines

• Candidates (PDF; 128KB)
• Evaluators: LCD (PDF; 139KB)
• Evaluators: ADHD (PDF; 123KB)
• Evaluators: EPP (PDF; 123KB)
• Evaluators: PCH (PDF; 121KB)

Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF; 135KB)
• Lower-cost Testing Clinics (PDF; 111KB)
• Personal Items and Minor Modifications (PDF; 77KB)

Please direct questions about this page to:
accommodations@GEDtestingservice.com
This page last updated on 02/03/2012