Can You Get Testing Accommodations for Anxiety?
Many students and parents seek clarity on whether anxiety can qualify someone for testing accommodations. The answer is yes—if the anxiety significantly interferes with the individual’s ability to access standardized testing or academic environments in the same way as their peers.
Understanding how this determination is made, what the evaluation process involves, and what documentation is required can help make the path to accommodations clearer and more manageable.
What Are Testing Accommodations?
Test accommodations are changes to the standard testing environment that help to level the playing field for individuals with disabilities or disorders that may affect learning or academic performance. These can include:
- Extended time
- Breaks during testing
- A separate, quieter testing room
- Use of a computer or keyboard
- Permission to bring calming tools or aids
Accommodations are not intended to give anyone an unfair advantage, but to ensure students are being assessed on their knowledge and skills, not on the symptoms of their anxiety.
When Is Anxiety Eligible for Accommodations?
Not everyone with anxiety will qualify for accommodations. The key consideration is whether your anxiety substantially limits a major life activity, such as learning, concentrating, or test-taking. This is based on criteria outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
You might be eligible for testing accommodations if:
- You experience test-related anxiety that leads to panic attacks or mental freezing.
- Your anxiety symptoms cause you to need significantly more time to complete tasks than others.
- Your performance is severely impacted in testing situations compared to other settings.
- You’ve received treatment or a formal diagnosis of an anxiety disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder).
How Do You Prove Eligibility?
In order to get accommodations, test agencies (e.g., the College Board, ACT, LSAT, GRE, or licensing boards) typically require comprehensive documentation from a licensed psychologist or mental health professional. This is where a psychoeducational assessment comes in.
A thorough evaluation should:
- Include a clinical interview and review of your history.
- Use standard rating scales and psychological tests to measure symptoms and functional impact.
- Compare your test performance under timed vs. untimed conditions (if relevant).
- Provide a formal diagnosis, when appropriate.
- Offer clear, evidence-based recommendations for accommodations.
What If You've Never Been Diagnosed Before?
That’s okay. Oftentimes, individuals don’t realize how much anxiety is affecting them until high-stakes testing comes into focus. A psychoeducational evaluation can clarify whether anxiety is playing a significant role and whether accommodations are appropriate.
How Do I Get Accommodations?
If you’re wondering whether testing accommodations for anxiety are right for you (or your child), we recommend the following steps:
- Talk to your current provider (therapist, school counselor, doctor) about your concerns.
- Reach out to a qualified psychologist who conducts psychoeducational evaluations.
- Start the process early. Approval for accommodations can take weeks to months, depending on the test or institution.
- Keep records of past diagnoses, medications, therapy, and school difficulties—this can help support your application.
Conclusion
Anxiety can be overwhelming, especially in academic and high-stakes testing environments—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Testing accommodations are available to those who truly need them, and a comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation is the first step in accessing those supports.
If you have questions or are considering an evaluation, we’re here to help. Our team is experienced in identifying the impact of anxiety and advocating for the accommodations our clients need to succeed. We offer psychoeducational assessments for children and adults. If you’d like to learn more, please contact us.
