Teenagers are receiving false diagnoses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in order to gain additional time during standardized testing exams, particularly as elite Ivy League colleges are re-introducing these exams. Parents are taking their children to doctors and psychologists to obtain letters diagnosing them with ADHD or other mental health conditions, leading to an increase of up to 50% more time during tests. This extra time can result in a significant boost to SAT scores, with some experts estimating increases of 200 points or more.
In order to receive extra time on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, students must provide documentation of a disability from a qualified mental health professional. Conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression can all qualify a student for time accommodations. Despite these requirements, colleges are not informed when applicants receive extra time or accommodations, and the overall number of students classified as disabled is not released by test administrators.
There is evidence of widespread abuse within the system, particularly as more students seek extra time following announcements by prestigious institutions like Yale and Dartmouth that they would reinstate standardized test requirements. Families are manipulating the accommodations system for unfair advantages, with reports of students claiming ADHD, anxiety, or depression in order to qualify for extra time. Some individuals have observed suspicious patterns, such as students at private schools suddenly receiving accommodations in later grades after performing well for years without them.
According to experts, the additional time granted during tests can greatly impact scores, with some estimates suggesting an increase of 200 points or more on the SAT. However, critics argue that the misuse of accommodations is unfair to other test-takers and undermines the integrity of the college admissions process. Despite potential benefits, some students refuse to exploit the system, recognizing that such tactics do not translate to real-life success where time constraints are a reality.
The abuse of testing accommodations has drawn criticism from organizations like the Learning Disabilities Association of America, which condemns the actions that perpetuate misconceptions about disabilities and accommodations. While students with learning disabilities are entitled to testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the system is vulnerable to exploitation. Notable cases, such as the Varsity Blues scandal, have highlighted the unethical practices of advisors who encourage lying about learning disabilities to gain unfair advantages on standardized tests.
The College Board and ACT, which administer standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, respectively, have policies in place to permit legitimate accommodations for students with disabilities while preventing abuse of the system. Despite these safeguards, the issue of false diagnoses for testing accommodations persists, with wealthy individuals like Gordon Caplan being implicated in fraudulent schemes to secure extra time for their children. Ultimately, the prevalence of these practices raises concerns about fairness, honesty, and integrity in the college admissions process.
