Evaluations for Testing Accommodations

Virtual Psychological Evaluations for Teens & Adults in Florida and New York

With testing accommodations, you can show your true potential on the SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT, GRE or GMAT.

Standardized tests can be hard, especially if you experience anxiety, ADHD or other conditions that can make it challenging to score to the best of your ability. With a virtual psychological evaluation, you’ll have the information you need to secure the testing accommodations you need to succeed.

Do You Feel Your Test Scores Don’t Reflect Your Capabilities?

Here's how to know if An Evaluation for Testing Accommodations Could be helpful:

  • You have a high GPA or real-world experience in your chosen field, but your test scores don’t reflect the good work you’re doing outside of the exam room.

  • You find yourself so anxious or stressed out by the exam that it’s interfering with your normal life. You’re having trouble sleeping, working, eating or taking care of yourself. An evaluation can help you understand why you’re struggling and give you support in managing your testing anxiety.

  • You find yourself reading exam questions or passages over and over again without comprehending them, or you’re unable to finish substantial portions of the exam in the allotted time. This may be caused by an underlying condition we can remedy with the right testing accommodations.

  • You received a diagnosis recommending testing accommodations earlier in your academic journey, and you’d like to apply for accommodations for your upcoming exam.

How Can a Psychological Evaluation Help You Get Testing Accommodations?

Testing Accommodations Level the Playing Field By Giving You the Support You Need

A psychological evaluation may help you receive testing accommodations such as extended time, “stop the clock” breaks, paper/pencil testing, or a quiet location.

Testing accommodations aren’t meant to give you a leg up over someone else or make you far exceed your potential. The purpose of testing accommodations is to level the playing field for someone who has a diagnosis. If the evaluation determines that you have ADHD, anxiety or another disorder, you may need testing accommodations to reach your true potential.

Think about it this way: Should you have to take your test without glasses because the person next to you has 20/20 vision and doesn’t need glasses? If you broke your hand, would it be fair for you to have to write out your test the same as someone who didn’t break their hand? Testing accommodations are not a way to cheat or an easy way to get a better score. Rather, testing accommodations make the test fair and an accurate reflection of your potential.

And, don’t worry! Schools don’t know if you took your SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT, GRE or GMAT with accommodations. Testing accommodations just ensure you’re able to show your true capabilities.

Types of Testing Accommodations for the SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT, GRE or GMAT

The type of testing accommodations I will recommend — and you will likely receive — will depend on the diagnosis or area of need.

For example, someone with ADHD may struggle to stay focused during the exam. I would recommend extended time so they have time to get up and move around, stretch out and come back to the test re-focused.

For someone with anxiety, I would also recommend extended time so they can use coping strategies to decrease anxiety, such as taking deep breaths or channeling positive thoughts. I might also recommend taking the test in a quiet setting to decrease the noise and overwhelm they might experience in a larger testing facility.

There are many testing accommodations available. After working in school systems for years, I’m familiar with all types of testing accommodations and which ones are the most appropriate for various needs. You can feel confident that I’ll complete a thorough evaluation and select the right testing accommodations to help you succeed.

What to Expect During an Evaluation for Testing Accomodations at Insight Psychology Group

  • Virtual Intake Session

    Psychological evaluations are conducted virtually via videoconferencing. We’ll meet for a one-hour clinical interview to discuss the nature of your concerns and your history, including your health, developmental, medical, and educational histories. We’ll also talk about your social life, academic concerns, interests, and strengths. For teens, I’ll schedule an additional session with the parents to get their perspective.

  • Up-to-Date & Electronically Administered Testing

    After the intake session, I’ll send a set of selected rating scales for you to complete. These rating scales are administered electronically — all you need to do is click on a link I send and answer the questions via your computer. These tests generally take 20-30 minutes to complete. If appropriate, I can also send the rating scales to a parent or teacher if they have information that would be helpful for your evaluation. We regularly update our psychological assessment materials and use only the latest testing methodologies.

  • Detailed Reports with Extensive Recommendations

    I will analyze the results of your clinical interview and rating scales and complete a 20-page evaluation report. Your report will include diagnoses (if applicable) and an extensive list of recommendations to help you with managing the challenges identified. These recommendations will extend beyond testing accommodations and offer you support for making your life better, such as ways to increase attention span, decrease anxiety, or help with organization.

  • Post-Evaluation Feedback Session

    You won’t have to decipher your evaluation report on your own. After your evaluation, we’ll meet via video conference to review the results and recommendations. I’ll also provide a list of testing accommodations and instructions for securing them, as well as offer coaching on advocating for your needs and finding specialized therapists to support you.

  • Preparing Paperwork for Testing Accommodation Submission

    Each exam board has different requirements for securing testing accommodations. Even if you’ve received therapy or other treatment for a diagnosis in the past, a letter from your current therapist won’t be sufficient. The exam boards require a psychological evaluation in which you are tested against the norms of your peers. If your evaluation indicates testing accommodations could be helpful, I will complete the necessary paperwork for you to submit to the exam boards.

  • Advocating for Testing & Other Academic Accommodations

    While I can’t promise the exam board will approve your testing accommodations request, I will certainly write as detailed a report as possible to make the case for you to receive the necessary accommodations. I will also be available to answer any follow-up questions or attend meetings, as necessary, to support you in getting the accommodations you need to be successful in your academic career.

 Evaluations for Testing Accommodations
Frequently Asked Questions

  • An in-person assessment is generally not required to apply for testing accommodations. We can conduct your psychological evaluation virtually via video conferencing and the use of electronically-administered rating scales. A virtual psychological evaluation will not guarantee testing accommodations, but it is the first step in the process to diagnose any challenges that could merit accommodations.

  • During the psychological evaluation, we'll uncover any diagnoses that may meet the criteria for testing accommodations, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression or OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).

  • As part of the report I'll provide you after the evaluation, I'll include my recommendations for any testing accommodations based on your diagnosis. Some examples of testing accommodations include:

    • Extended time (1-1/2 or 2 times the amount of time normally allocated)

    • Paper and pencil test

    • Computer-based test

    • Access to calculator

    • A separate location

    • 1:1 testing 

    • Testing in a room with minimal distractions

    • Multiple-day testing (allowing you to take the exam over two days instead of sitting it in one day)

    • Use of auditory technology for reading, such as text-to-speech technology 

    • Stop-the-clock breaks

    • Access to a bathroom

  • Before your evaluation, it would be helpful to gather your medical history, psychological history, educational history, family health history, and psychological history. All of this information is important, and you may need to ask a parent or relative for it.

  • A virtual psychological evaluation is $2,500.

  • Since I am a doctorate-level licensed psychologist I am able to provide you with superbills for insurance companies for potential reimbursement. However, you should call your insurance company first and ask them what their reimbursement rate is for psychological testing/evaluations because this is something that is out of my control 

Are you ready to get the testing accommodations you need to show your true potential?

I offer free consultation calls to ensure we’re a good fit. If you have questions about whether you would benefit from an evaluation for testing accommodations or want to learn more about my testing approach, let’s talk!