Frequently Asked Questions for Evaluators

Although these disabilities are lifelong, the impact they have on current functioning changes over time. In order for a determination to be made regarding reasonable accommodations, documentation should verify the functional impact of the disability as it relates to the current test-taking situation.

A diagnostic evaluation completed within the past five years and/or when the test taker was at least 16 years of age may be helpful as is information regarding the test taker's longer standing history of disability. Please visit https://www.ets.org/disabilities/test-takers/disability-documentation.html for complete information.

If an evaluation is necessary, ETS isn’t responsible for the cost of an evaluation, but resources are available that might be able to help. If the disability documentation is insufficient, the candidate may contact the local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation office and meet with a counselor. This is a free service available to any individual with a documented disability. If the test taker is a current student, their Disability Resource Professional on campus may be able to suggest options as some colleges and universities perform evaluations at a reduced fee.

ETS will send a letter of explanation if we do not approve a request. This letter will explain additional information the test taker should submit for reconsideration of their  request which has not been approved. Whenever possible, ETS Disability Services staff will provide test takers with specific information about the ways in which their documentation is insufficient and how it should be updated or supplemented. The test taker may correct any insufficiencies outlined in the letter and resubmit the request. If the test taker has any questions about ETS's procedures, they may contact us.

The purpose of the COE is not to verify the test taker's disability or diagnosis.  It is to verify that the institution or place of employment granted the accommodations and that the test taker is using them. Thus, such verification requires that the COE be completed by an authorized representative from the Accessibility/Disability Office of the test taker's college, Human Resources Office of their employer, or their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

No. Sending disability documentation when it isn’t required may cause a considerable delay in processing a request due to the time needed to review documentation. A test taker who is eligible to be approved for accommodations on the basis of the COE alone should send only the appropriately completed COE without documentation.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), not every impairment is a disability. For an impairment to qualify as a disability under the ADAAA, it has to be "substantially limiting" to a major life activity (e.g., seeing, talking, hearing, learning, walking, etc.). Thus, having an impairment or a diagnosis alone may not be sufficient to support the need for testing accommodations. The documentation needs to verify and reflect that the functional limitations resulting from a disability significantly impact the way a person performs a major life activity, compared to the "average person," for the purpose of accommodation determination.

Psychometric cognitive tests that measure reasoning, problem-solving and information processing, as well as memory, and executive functions under both standard timing and extended-time conditions, can be very helpful in supporting the need for the requested accommodations. Results from objective cognitive tests are especially helpful in determining the need for 100% extended test time. Depending on the type of accommodations requested, academic achievement testing may also be helpful. For example, if a reader is requested as an accommodation, achievement measures pertinent to reading provide important information.

Guidelines for Writing Diagnostic Reports provide greater detail on what comprehensive documentation might look like.

Yes. ETS recognizes that tele-assessment may provide greater flexibility to test takers and will accept documentation from an evaluation conducted via tele-assessment or via a “hybrid” format, i.e., a combination of in-person and tele-assessment services. The evaluation should be conducted according to the best practices and standards of the profession of the clinician who conducts it. Tele-assessment involves special considerations and an evaluator conducting tele-assessment should have specific training in this domain. Please see the ETS Tele-Assessment Guidance (PDF) for additional information regarding tele-assessment.

It’s best to provide the most complete packet of information possible when multiple disabling conditions are identified. If a test taker has multiple disabilities, it is best to document functional limitations associated with each of their disabilities. However, if documentation is being submitted for only one disability, please be sure there is a discussion of functional limitations and a disability-related rationale for each requested accommodation.