Denied Testing Accommodations? A Board‑Specific Action Plan (2025 update)

You finally submitted your documentation—and got the dreaded denial email. Don’t panic. Every major testing board (AAMC, LSAC, ETS, College Board) has a built‑in path for a second review.

Below is a board‑specific, time‑sensitive checklist.

Step 1 · Decode the Denial Letter

All boards list the precise gaps that triggered the “no.” Typical reasons:

• Documentation is older than the board’s currency window (LSAC & ETS = 5 yrs; AAMC = 3 yrs).

• Evaluation lacks objective data (cognitive scores, symptom scales).

• Functional impact isn’t tied to testing conditions (e.g., timed reading).

• For College Board, the school submission sometimes omits the “consistency of use” section.

  
  

Step 2 · Check the Board’s Clock

Exam	Fastest response option	Deadline to act
LSAT	Appeal (upload intent form)	Within 2 business days of decision; full appeal docs due in 5 calendar days
MCAT	Reconsideration (add new info)	Submit within 30 days; AAMC review time ≈ 30 days
GRE / GMAT	Re‑submit missing docs (ETS “Reconsideration”)	No fixed clock, but act within 2 weeks so ETS can re‑review before your chosen test date
SAT / AP	Re‑request with added evidence	No formal clock, but College Board advises replying immediately to keep same exam window

Step 3 · Fill the Gaps Quickly

1. Update the evaluation

   1. Add current symptom scales (e.g., CAARS, BDI‑II) and objective timed tests if missing.

   2. Ensure evaluator links scores to functional impact on timed, multiple‑choice testing.

2. Request a clarifying letter from your evaluator that directly addresses every bullet in the denial.

3. Add collateral evidence:­ professor letters, grade‑trend charts, therapy notes—whatever the board flagged as absent.

   
   

Step 4 · Choose Reconsideration vs. Formal Appeal

• Reconsideration (AAMC, ETS): use when you have new data (fresh testing, updated meds).

• Formal appeal (LSAC): use when you believe the board mis‑applied its own rules; must cite policy sections.

• SAT/AP: College Board simply treats any resubmission with new docs as a new request; include a cover letter referencing the original case ID.

Step 5 · Cover Letter Framework

“On [date] I received notice that my request was denied due to X and Y.

Attached you’ll find updated neuropsychological scores (WAIS‑IV Processing Speed, T=35) that directly address X, and a professor statement documenting timed‑reading difficulty that addresses Y.”

Keep it under 300 words; bullet key attachments.

Step 6 · Track the New Timeline

Board	Re‑review window	When to call
AAMC	30 days	If no status change by day 31
LSAC	10 days from full appeal	If no decision by day 11
ETS	2–3 weeks typical	Follow up at 14 days
College Board	1–3 weeks	Follow up after 10 days

California Public Universities

UC and CSU are test‑blind for admission, but you still need documentation for in‑class exams and placement tests. Denials usually stem from missing functional impact language—make sure your report connects symptoms to lecture‑hall testing.

Need a second‑round evaluation that gets approved?

I provide focused re‑evaluations that plug exactly the gaps boards cite:

• 10–14 day turnaround (7 days for FAA Fast‑Track)

• AAMC, LSAC, ETS, College Board compliant formatting

• Student payment plans & one appeal letter included

  
  

🔗 Learn more about accommodations evaluations (packages & pricing)or specifically for the MCAT.

Pro‑tip from Reddit: Students who submitted one‑page personal statements explaining real‑world impact on timed exams saw faster approvals (and it aligns with AAMC & ETS guidance). Combine that with updated scores and you dramatically boost acceptance odds.

Updated June 2025 — sources: AAMC, LSAC, ETS, College Board policy pages and recent student reports.