TOEFL Testing Accommodations (2026)

Who Qualifies for TOEFL Accommodations?

ETS provides accommodations for test-takers with documented disabilities or health-related needs that affect their ability to take the standard TOEFL iBT. Accommodations are available for a wide range of conditions — you do not need a severe or visible disability to qualify.

Learning Disabilities

• Dyslexia and reading-based learning disabilities — affects decoding, reading speed, and reading comprehension
• Dysgraphia — affects writing fluency and handwriting, relevant for typed responses under standard conditions
• ADHD / ADD — attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with documented functional impact on sustained attention or processing speed
• Dyscalculia — primarily relevant where numerical tasks appear in academic passages
• Processing speed disorders — significantly slow processing of written or auditory information

Physical and Sensory Disabilities

• Visual impairments — low vision, legal blindness, or total blindness
• Hearing impairments — partial hearing loss, deafness, or auditory processing disorders
• Physical and motor disabilities — conditions affecting use of hands, arms, or ability to use a standard keyboard and mouse
• Speech impairments — conditions that affect the ability to produce spoken responses in the Speaking section
• Mobility impairments — conditions requiring a wheelchair or specific physical setup at the testing center

Medical Conditions

• Chronic illness — conditions such as lupus, MS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or Crohn's disease that affect stamina or concentration
• Psychiatric conditions — anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, or other conditions with documented functional impact on test performance
• Neurological conditions — epilepsy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or other brain-based conditions
• Diabetes and metabolic conditions — requiring additional breaks for blood sugar management
• Temporary conditions — a broken arm, recent surgery, or other temporary impairments may also qualify, though documentation requirements are the same

Available TOEFL Accommodations

ETS offers a comprehensive set of accommodations. Multiple accommodations can be approved together — for example, extended time combined with a separate testing room. ETS determines which accommodations are appropriate based on your documentation and the functional impact of your condition.

Documentation Requirements by Disability Type

The documentation ETS requires varies significantly by the type of condition. Use the guide below to understand what you need to gather before applying.

ADHD / ADD

• Comprehensive evaluation by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist completed within the past 5 years
• Must use adult-normed assessments (for adult test-takers) — childhood evaluations alone are insufficient
• DSM-5 criteria documentation: evidence of symptoms before age 12, current impairment in multiple settings
• Standardized rating scales completed by clinician and observer
• Specific recommendation for testing accommodations linked to documented symptoms

Dyslexia and Reading-Based Learning Disabilities

• Psychoeducational evaluation including standardized reading assessments (TOWRE, GORT-5, or equivalent)
• Cognitive assessment battery showing processing speed and phonological processing scores
• Professional diagnosis and recommendation for extended time, screen reader, or oral administration
• For international test-takers: equivalent assessments from licensed educational psychologists in your country

Visual Impairments

• Ophthalmology or optometry report documenting the degree of visual impairment
• For low vision: documentation of visual acuity and the impact on reading standard print
• For blindness: documentation and specification of preferred format (braille, audio, text-to-speech)
• Note: ETS must prepare alternative format materials well in advance — apply as early as possible

Hearing Impairments

• Audiology report documenting the degree of hearing loss (in dB) and frequency range affected
• Documentation of any assistive technology currently used
• Note: as described above, hearing accommodations primarily affect test instructions and administration, not the Listening audio content itself

Physical / Motor Disabilities

• Medical letter from a physician on official letterhead documenting the condition and its functional impact
• Description of how the condition specifically limits typing, use of keyboard/mouse, or prolonged sitting
• Recommendation for specific accommodations: scribe, ergonomic equipment, extended breaks, wheelchair station

Psychiatric Conditions (Anxiety, Depression, PTSD)

• Letter from licensed psychiatrist or psychologist on official letterhead
• DSM-5 diagnosis, duration of condition, and documented functional impact on academic performance
• Note: test anxiety alone does not qualify. The diagnosis must be a recognized DSM condition with documented impact beyond standard testing anxiety
• Description of how specific accommodations (separate room, extended time) address the documented functional limitation

Chronic Illness and Medical Conditions

• Medical letter from physician on official letterhead
• Diagnosis, how long the condition has been present, and current treatment plan
• For conditions requiring medication (e.g., insulin for diabetes): documentation of need for additional breaks, food, or medication access
• For fatigue-related conditions: description of endurance limitations and how they affect sustained testing performance

How to Apply for TOEFL Accommodations

TOEFL accommodations are handled by the ETS Disability Services office. The process involves registering for the test, submitting a separate accommodations request, and providing documentation. Start early — the process can take several weeks.

1. 1
   Create an ETS account and register for TOEFL

   Go to ets.org/toefl. Create an account if you do not have one. You can register for a test date before or after submitting your accommodations request, but your registration and accommodations request must both be completed before ETS can process your accommodation.

2. 2
   Submit your Accommodations Request Form

   Log into your ETS account and navigate to the TOEFL section. Select 'Request Accommodations' and complete the Accommodations Request Form. Specify which accommodations you are requesting and describe how your condition functionally impacts your testing.

3. 3
   Gather and upload supporting documentation

   ETS requires documentation from a licensed professional (psychologist, physician, psychiatrist, etc.) that describes your diagnosis, testing/evaluation results where applicable, functional impact, and professional recommendation for specific accommodations. Documentation must be recent — ETS generally requires it to be within 5 years for learning disabilities and ADHD.

4. 4
   Submit everything at least 6 weeks before your test date

   ETS recommends submitting your request at least 6 weeks (approximately 45 days) before your intended test date. Complex cases — such as requests involving unusual accommodations or incomplete documentation — may take longer. Building in additional buffer time is strongly advised.

5. 5
   Await ETS review and decision

   ETS Disability Services will review your request and documentation. They may contact you for additional information. Once approved, your accommodation details will appear in your ETS account and will be automatically applied to your test registration.

6. 6
   Confirm your accommodations before test day

   Log in to your ETS account approximately 1–2 weeks before your test to confirm your approved accommodations are showing correctly. If anything is missing or incorrect, contact ETS Disability Services immediately.

ETS Disability Services Contact

Required Documentation Overview

Documentation must come from a qualified licensed professional and must clearly connect your diagnosis to a functional impairment in standardized testing settings.

What documentation must include

• Name, title, credentials, and signature of the evaluating professional
• Diagnosis and DSM/ICD classification (where applicable)
• Date of evaluation and date of report
• Description of how the condition functionally impairs test performance
• Specific accommodations recommended by the professional
• For learning disabilities and ADHD: standardized psychoeducational testing scores (e.g., WAIS, WJ-IV, WIAT)

Accepted documentation types

Denial & Appeals Process

If ETS denies your accommodations request, you will receive a decision letter explaining the reason. Most denials are due to documentation issues — not because ETS determined you do not have a disability.

Common reasons for denial

• Incomplete documentation — missing required elements such as standardized test scores or clinician credentials
• Outdated documentation — evaluation or medical letter older than ETS's currency requirements
• Mismatch between diagnosis and accommodation — the requested accommodation is not supported by the documented condition
• Insufficient functional impact — diagnosis is present but documentation does not describe how it impairs test performance specifically
• Non-licensed professional — documentation from a counselor, coach, or unlicensed therapist rather than a licensed clinician

How to appeal a denial

1. Read the denial letter carefully to understand the specific reason ETS cites.
2. Contact ETS Disability Services (stassd@ets.org or 1-609-771-7780) to ask for clarification on exactly what is missing.
3. Obtain supplemental documentation addressing the specific gap: updated evaluation, additional standardized scores, or a more detailed functional impact statement from your clinician.
4. Resubmit through your ETS account with the new documentation, referencing your previous request number.
5. If you believe the denial was incorrect and you have comprehensive documentation, submit a formal written appeal to ETS. Describe the documentation you provided and why it meets ETS requirements. The ETS Appeals Committee will review the case.

Test Day Expectations

Knowing what to expect on test day helps you arrive prepared and reduces stress. Your experience will differ from standard testing in several ways depending on your approved accommodations.

Before you arrive

• Print or save your ETS Confirmation Letter showing your approved accommodations
• Bring your valid government-issued photo ID (passport or national ID) — the name must match your ETS account exactly
• Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled start time — accommodated sessions often have additional check-in procedures
• If you take medication, bring what you need; inform the test center administrator during check-in
• For wheelchair users or those with physical setups: call the test center in advance to confirm accessibility arrangements are in place

During the test

• Extended time will be reflected in the on-screen timer — you will see a different time display than standard test-takers
• If you are in a separate testing room, a proctor will be present or will check in on you at regular intervals
• For extended breaks: breaks are automatically added; you do not need to request them manually during the exam
• For screen reader / text-to-speech: the assistive software should be pre-installed; test your equipment during the check-in period before the exam begins
• If something is wrong with your setup (timer is incorrect, accommodation is missing from the interface), notify the proctor immediately before beginning the test

Specific section notes

• Speaking section: Extended time applies to preparation and response time per question. The recording equipment is the same as for standard test-takers.
• Writing section: Extended time applies to both writing tasks. Integrated and Independent essay timers will reflect your accommodation.
• Reading / Listening: Extended time applies. Audio adjustments (personal amplification) must be set up before the Listening section begins.

Application Timeline

International Students and Accommodations

TOEFL accommodations are available worldwide, but the process has additional considerations for international test-takers.

• Documentation from foreign-licensed professionals is accepted, but ETS may request certified translation for documents not in English
• IEPs and 504 plans are US-specific — international students should provide equivalent documentation from their country's education or healthcare system
• Testing center availability with approved accommodations varies by country — ETS will assign you to a center that can support your approved accommodations
• Some accommodations (such as separate rooms or extended breaks) may limit which testing centers are available, potentially increasing travel distance
• If your documentation is from a country other than where you are currently located, ETS may require additional supporting material
• Allow extra time for international cases — processing can take longer when documentation requires translation or verification

For TOEFL Home Edition, some accommodations can be provided remotely (extended time, additional breaks), but certain physical accommodations (separate room, specific physical setup) are automatically satisfied by the home environment or may need to be discussed with ETS in advance.

Country-specific considerations

• UK / EU: Educational psychologist reports following BPS (British Psychological Society) guidelines are accepted. SpLD assessments by Patoss-registered assessors are commonly used.
• India: Disability certificates issued under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWD) may be submitted as supporting documentation alongside professional evaluation reports.
• Australia / New Zealand: Reports from registered psychologists under AHPRA guidelines are accepted. The structure is similar to US requirements.
• Middle East and Asia: Reports must clearly state the evaluator's professional license, institution, and country of practice. ETS may verify credentials in these regions.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Common Questions

Will universities see that I received accommodations?

No. Your TOEFL score report sent to universities does not indicate that you received testing accommodations. Score reports show only your section scores and total score — exactly the same as any other test-taker. Universities cannot request or access this information from ETS. Receiving accommodations does not affect your score's validity in any way recognized by admissions offices.

Do accommodations affect my TOEFL score?

No. TOEFL scores are reported on the same 0–120 scale regardless of whether accommodations were used. The test content is identical. Accommodations ensure equitable access to the test, not an advantage over non-accommodated test-takers. Universities treat your score as they would any other score.

Can I get accommodations if I was diagnosed recently?

Yes, as long as your documentation meets ETS requirements. A recent diagnosis does not disqualify you. However, documentation that is clearly complete and from a qualified professional is essential regardless of when the diagnosis was made. ETS reviews each request individually.

What if my request is denied?

ETS will explain the reason for denial and describe the appeals process. The most common reason for denial is incomplete or insufficient documentation. You can reapply with additional or updated documentation. If you believe the decision was incorrect, you can submit a formal appeal to ETS Disability Services. See the Denial & Appeals section above for details.

Can I use TOEFL Home Edition with accommodations?

Yes. Extended time, extended breaks, and some other accommodations are available for the TOEFL Home Edition. Contact ETS Disability Services to confirm which accommodations are supported in the home testing format before registering.

Can I request accommodations for only specific sections?

ETS accommodations are generally applied across all sections — you cannot typically receive extended time only on the Reading section, for example. ETS approves accommodations based on the overall functional impact of your condition, and the accommodation applies throughout the test.