SAT Special Accomodations

What Documents Are Required to Request Special Accommodations for the SAT?

The documents required depend on the student’s placement and the nature of his or her disability, but in general the following four types are required:

1. Diagnosis of disability. Students must provide documentation to support their diagnosis, which may include a formal diagnosis from a medical professional, a psychoeducational evaluation, or a report from a specialist.
2. Description of functional limitations. Students should explain how the disability affects their ability to read, write, process information or use a computer.
3. Description of the requested adaptations. Students should specify what accommodations they need, such as extended time, breaks, a separate testing room, a reader, a scribe, or assistive technology.
4. Consent for disclosure of information. Students may be required to give written consent for the release of information from their medical or educational records.

Due to the complexity and the many possible options that may affect each individual case, we suggest that you contact contact College Board before submitting information. Remember that each time additional documentation is requested, this process can add up to 7 weeks to your case resolution timeline.

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In summary, the College Board offers special accommodations for students with disabilities who require them to take the SAT. Students outside the U.S. must follow the official application process, which includes determining eligibility, submitting documentation, and waiting approximately seven weeks for approval. The most important thing is to start the process early enough and make sure you have provided all the necessary documentation to avoid delays.

SAT Special Accommodations in Europe

The process for requesting SAT special accommodations is managed globally by College Board, which means the core steps are the same regardless of where you are. However, there are practical differences that students in Europe need to be aware of — from how supporting documentation is typically structured in each country’s educational system to the availability of test centers that can administer accommodated testing. Here is what you need to know, country by country.

How do students in Italy request SAT special accommodations?

Italian students requesting SAT special accommodations should be aware that documentation from Italian medical and educational professionals is accepted by College Board, but it must meet College Board’s specific requirements — a diagnosis from an Italian specialist alone is not always sufficient if it does not include a description of functional limitations and the specific accommodations being requested. All documentation must be translated into English by a certified translator before submission. Students with a certificazione di disabilità or a PDP (Piano Didattico Personalizzato) from their school may be able to use elements of that documentation, but should verify with College Board whether it meets the full requirements before submitting. The seven-week review window applies regardless of country, so Italian students should factor this into their registration timeline alongside SAT test dates available across Italy. EPIC Prep has an office in Milan — contact our team if you need guidance on how to structure your preparation around an accommodations timeline.

How do students in Spain request SAT special accommodations?

Spanish students requesting SAT special accommodations can submit documentation from Spanish medical professionals and educational psychologists, provided it meets College Board’s requirements for diagnosis, functional limitations, and requested accommodations. All documentation must be translated into English by a certified translator before submission — this applies to school reports, medical diagnoses, and any supporting materials regardless of their origin. Students who already have an official dictamen de escolarización or documentation from their school’s equipo de orientación may find this a useful starting point, but should confirm with College Board whether it satisfies their specific submission standards. Spain has SAT test centers across the country, including in Madrid and Barcelona and beyond — however, not all test centers are equipped to administer accommodated testing, so confirming availability at your preferred center is an essential step before registering. Start the process as early as possible: the seven-week review window, combined with registration deadlines and the time required for certified translation, means that delays in documentation can cost you your preferred exam date. EPIC Prep has offices in Madrid and Barcelona and has been supporting Spanish students since 2010.

How do students in Germany request SAT special accommodations?

German students requesting SAT special accommodations should prepare documentation that aligns with College Board’s requirements, even if it originates from German medical or educational sources. All documentation must be translated into English by a certified translator before submission — this includes any formal diagnoses, psychoeducational assessments, or school support reports. A formal diagnosis from a German specialist — such as a Fachärztliches Attest or a psychoeducational assessment — can form the basis of the submission, but must be accompanied by a clear description of functional limitations and the accommodations being requested. Students who have existing support documentation from their Gymnasium or international school should verify whether it meets College Board’s standards before relying on it for submission. With test centers available in multiple cities across Germany, including Berlin, confirming which centers can administer accommodated testing is an important practical step — not all locations offer this. Verify current availability directly with College Board and register well ahead of the deadline to account for both the certified translation process and the seven-week review period.

How do students in the Netherlands request SAT special accommodations?

Dutch students requesting SAT special accommodations should ensure their documentation meets College Board’s requirements regardless of its origin. All documentation must be translated into English by a certified translator before submission — including any school-based reports, medical diagnoses, or specialist assessments. Reports from Dutch medical professionals or school-based support documentation — such as an OPP (Ontwikkelingsperspectief) or a dyslexia declaration from a recognized Dutch testing body — may provide a solid foundation, but must include the functional limitations and requested accommodations that College Board requires. The Netherlands has SAT test centers available across the country, including in Amsterdam — verify directly with College Board which centers can administer accommodated testing before selecting your preferred location. Given that the seven-week review period, combined with the time needed for certified translation, can significantly affect your registration timeline, Dutch students targeting admission to programs at the University of Amsterdam, TU Delft, Erasmus, or VU Amsterdam should begin the accommodations process well before their target exam date.

How do students in Switzerland request SAT special accommodations?

Swiss students requesting SAT special accommodations face the same global College Board process but should pay particular attention to both documentation standards and translation requirements. Switzerland has a multilingual educational system, and documentation may come in German, French, or Italian depending on the canton — regardless of the original language, all documentation must be translated into English by a certified translator before submission. A formal diagnosis from a Swiss specialist combined with a clear description of functional limitations and requested accommodations is the standard requirement. Switzerland has SAT test centers available across the country, including in Zurich — verify which centers can administer accommodated testing directly with College Board, as not all locations offer this. For students targeting ETH Zurich or EPFL, where only very high scores are competitive, ensuring that accommodations are in place well before your exam date is especially important — any delay caused by the review process or the certified translation step that pushes you to a later sitting can affect your entire application timeline. EPIC Prep has an office in Zurich — get in touch with our team for guidance on planning your preparation alongside the accommodations process.