Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) accommodations are for individuals with documented disabilities to provide equal access to the exam in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). GMAT accommodations are meant to ensure that the test accurately reflects a candidate’s abilities rather than the impact of their disability.
How to Apply for GMAT Accommodations
- Register for the test: First, create an account on the official GMAT website (mba.com) and register for the exam.
- Submit a request for GMAT accommodations:
- Log into your mba.com account and follow the instructions to apply for GMAT accommodations.
- You’ll be asked to fill out a GMAT Test Accommodation Request Form, which includes providing detailed information about your condition.
- Our testing services can be vital in this process
- Provide documentation: Along with the GMAT accommodations request form, submit documentation of your disability. This would include our psychological testing report in which we include:
- The nature and severity of your disability.
- A history of your disability and past accommodations (if applicable).
- Justify the need for specific GMAT accommodations.
- Review and approval process: The GMAT accommodations review process can take 1 to 3 weeks. If approved, instructions for scheduling your accommodated exam will be provided.
Deadlines
Be sure to submit your GMAT accommodations request early. You need to allow time for both the accommodation review process and the scheduling of your exam. Waiting until close to your intended test date may delay getting the GMAT accommodations you need. This suggests contacting us at least 60 days before your exam.
Psychological Testing for GMAT Accommodations
Applying for accommodations on the GMAT can be a complex and highly individualized process, particularly for examinees with ADHD or anxiety. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) requires detailed documentation that not only confirms a qualified diagnosis but also demonstrates how the condition substantially limits a major life activity—such as test-taking—in comparison to most people in the general population. Psychological testing is essential in meeting these requirements with credibility, clarity, and clinical precision.
For individuals with ADHD, psychological evaluations often include a multi-method assessment strategy. This may involve norm-referenced behavior rating scales completed by the individual and collateral sources (e.g., BAARS-IV, CAARS, CEFI), cognitive testing (e.g., WAIS-IV, WJ-IV, or RAIT), and targeted assessments of attention and executive function such as the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT-3) or the Trail Making Test. These assessments help demonstrate core ADHD-related impairments—like distractibility, inconsistent focus, mental fatigue, poor working memory, or slowed processing speed—that directly interfere with the demands of a time-pressured, cognitively rigorous exam like the GMAT.
For test-related anxiety, evaluators typically employ diagnostic interviews, anxiety-specific rating scales (such as the Beck Anxiety Inventory, MASC-2, or SCARED-A), and functional analyses of symptom impact. In many cases, the testing process uncovers patterns of test-specific panic, perfectionism, or overcontrol that can lead to cognitive blocks, impaired reasoning, or an inability to manage time effectively under pressure. These symptoms may be less visible in everyday functioning, making formal testing a critical tool for articulating their severity in testing contexts.
A comprehensive psychological report synthesizes these findings and links them to the types of accommodations being requested—such as 50% or 100% extended time, extra breaks, or a quiet testing environment. Importantly, the evaluator must explain how the identified impairments are not simply present, but functionally limiting in a way that makes accommodations necessary for equal access.
Unlike academic settings where accommodations may be more readily granted, GMAC holds applicants to a high standard of evidence. A well-constructed psychological evaluation provides the essential bridge between personal experience and legally recognized documentation, significantly increasing the likelihood of a successful accommodations request.
Ultimately, psychological testing doesn’t just help someone “get accommodations”—it clarifies the genuine barriers they face and supports fair access to a high-stakes exam that can shape their professional future.
