When Should You Start the Accommodations Process for Standardized Exams?
Updated: Nov 3
How early should you start a testing accommodations evaluation?
Start the evaluation 8 to 10 weeks before your exam board's submission deadline. For the MCAT, work backward 105 days from the test date. Jason Olin, PhD, conducts testing accommodations evaluations and builds each timeline backward from the exam date.
Minimum Recommended Lead Time for Submission
LSAT (LSAC): Register for a test date first, and submit the request and materials by the registration deadline. Applicants who submit at the deadline leave no room for a follow-up request from LSAC. For LSAC's review time and a worked example, see how long LSAC takes to approve accommodations.
MCAT (AAMC): Submit 105 days before the test date. AAMC reviews initial applications within 60 days and reviews reconsiderations, appeals, and extensions within 30 days. Approval has to be in place, with a Pearson VUE scheduling request, 15 days before the exam date.
GRE and GMAT (ETS and GMAC): ETS holds test scheduling until the request is approved. ETS estimates 6 weeks of review, and 12 weeks when it requests additional information.
Why You May Need Even More Time
Many requests require follow-up documentation or clarification. An appeal may add 2–4 more weeks. And a full psychological evaluation can take several weeks to schedule and complete. Scheduling an evaluation takes time on its own. Availability with a qualified evaluator runs 30 to 90 days from first contact, and the report follows the testing session.
Written by Jason Olin, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist.
Dr. Olin provides psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for high-stakes testing and licensing decisions, including FAA-related evaluations. He sees clients onsite in Newport Beach, California, and by telehealth across 43 PSYPACT states and New York.
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