GMAC, the makers and administrators of the GMAT, “provides reasonable test accommodations to individuals who have documented disabilities within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (ADA). Under the ADA, a ‘disability’ is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits your ability to perform one or more major life activities, as compared with most people in the general population”
Students can request accommodations such as enlarged font on the test, additional testing time, extended breaks, readers, recorders, sign language interpreters, and allowance of medical devices, among others.
In order to be considered for accommodations, you need to complete a GMAT Test Accommodation Request Form, sign the Authorization to Disclose Health Information to Third Parties, submit supporting documentation of your disability or disabilities (as outlined in the Supplement, and on the GMAC website), and pay the test fee. All information must be submitted directly to GMAC via mail or fax (we recommend submitting all documentation—including that supporting your disability—together, in order to avoid documents getting lost), and payment in full of the test fee must be received by GMAC before any request for accommodations can be considered.
You should submit your accommodations request well in advance of your test date; we typically recommend starting the process at least two months before you plan to take the exam. The review process can take up to a month and, if any additional information is requested, it can take an additional month for it be processed and reviewed.
Even if you submit your application, supporting documentation, and fees, there is no guarantee that GMAC will render a decision in your favor. Once a decision is reached, GMAC will send you written notification of the outcome either via email or mail. If approved for accommodations, you will be provided with instructions on how to schedule your accommodated test date. If you are not approved, you will be given the reason for the denial; you can also choose to appeal the decision and have your request reconsidered. In addition, if you are denied accommodations and choose not to take the test because of it, you can request a refund of your test fee.
GMAC recommends that you read the GMAT Handbook and the GMAT Handbook Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities carefully before submitting an accommodations request. In addition, it also has specific pages on its website detailing the documentation required for the clinical conditions most commonly associated with accommodation requests for the GMAT:
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Learning and Cognitive Disorders
- Physical and Systemic Disabilities
- Psychological Disabilities
Questions regarding accommodations requests should be directed to testingaccommodations@gmac.com.