The College Board will be leading us all through a lot of unexplored territory with the major upcoming revision to the SAT. Luckily for them, though perhaps unluckily for some high school students, the October PSAT will provide a much-needed test run. Since the next PSAT will be delivered in the new format, students will have to contend with unfamiliar question types and rules. Correspondingly, the College Board is receiving questions it hasn’t heard before…
“Can a student with a math learning disability receive an accommodation to use a calculator on the new No Calculator Math section?”
Variations of this question are sure to make up the most common accommodations question for the new PSAT and SAT. Unfortunately, as of the moment of publication of this article, the test maker hasn’t released much information on the issue. Fortunately, though, I called and queried a representative from the College Board’s office for Services for Students with Disabilities. Here are the details straight from the source:
1. Is there a test accommodation for students with math learning disabilities?
Yes, the College Board recognizes classifications such as dyscalculia. Students with documented math disabilities can apply for an accommodation for the No Calculator section of the PSAT.
2. Will students with these learning disabilities be permitted to use calculators on the No Calculator section?
Yes, approved students will be able to use calculators on that section. However, the accommodation permits the use of a basic 4-function calculator, rather than the standard graphing calculator, on that section.
3. What is the deadline to request this accommodation on the October PSAT?
Better hurry! Accommodations requests and documentation, where required, must be received by August 25, 2015.
Mike Bergin