Extended Time for Tests and ADHD

Extended Time for Tests and ADHD – What Does the Research Say?

If you work in a school, you are most likely familiar with the accommodation of extended time for tests and ADHD. Many students with ADHD and other disabilities have extended time of varying degrees for certain subjects. Recent research examined the objective effectiveness of extended examination time.

Methodology

The participants included 30 students with ADHD and 30 matched typically developing peers who completed three parallel versions of a paper-and-pencil test in three time conditions: 1 hr (+0%), 1 hr 20 min (+33%), and 1 hr 30 min (+50%).

Results of the Study on Extended Time for Tests and ADHD

The results of taking the test in the three time conditions revealed the following:

students with ADHD and typical peers did not increase their performance on the tests when using extended examination time.
strategies that are perceived as effective (e.g., marking key words) were rarely used by the students.

The researchers concluded that extended examination duration is not objectively effective in an experimental situation.

Do you find that your students have accommodations that may not be effective? Do you collect data on whether the interventions you are using with your students is working? Remember, it is critical that we provide data driven decision making to help our students succeed.

Reference: Jansen, D., Petry, K., Evans, S. W., Noens, I., & Baeyens, D. (2018). The Implementation of Extended Examination Duration for Students With ADHD in Higher Education. Journal of attention disorders, 1087054718787879.

How to Help Your Students Advocate for Appropriate Accommodations

Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself and your rights. All students benefit from learning self-advocacy skills. When it comes to helping students with their Individualized Education Program (IEP), it is critical to involve them in the process whenever possible even at a young age. When we teach students how to self-advocate for themselves it promotes self-determination for students with disabilities and independence.

If you have students who need accommodations such as movement breaks, graphic organizers, technology, preferential seating and more, then the Self-Advocacy for Students workbook can be your guide to help students advocate for their needs and help them to develop self-determination skills.

Additional Resource for Interventions and Accommodations

Modifications and Interventions for School – Reporting Forms

This book, in printed or electronic format, provides pediatric therapists with over 60, reproducible reporting forms with hundreds of suggested modifications and interventions for students. Track progress once modifications are put into action. Find out more information.

Extended Time for Tests and ADHD