[marie34]

Hello everyone!

I’m sorry if this has been done before, but I’m just inquiring into the ADA modification application process and whether I should try applying for extra time.

I just want to start off with saying I HATE people who use “ADD” as a crutch and abuse the “disability modification” option for exams. After spending a year in a top competitive law school, where exams are graded on strict and steep curves, I realized that some of my classmates were getting TWICE the amount of time on their final exams. (the majority of them seemed to have no problem sitting in the library reading straight for 10 hours earlier in the year). Oh and surprise, guess what students came out in the top 5% of the whole class…

But anyway, sorry for the rant, I just wanted to point out that I, in no way, want to use my own diagnosis as a crutch and am asking for honest opinions of my situation. I realize how hard people study and work for these exams, and I don’t want to discredit that in any way by giving myself an unfair advantage.

I was diagnosed with ADHD a few months ago after, to the say the least, a year of complete academic HELL (I won’t go into my long winded rant about it).

I passed my first section of the CPA exam, AUD, very easily at the beginning of 2012. My next two sections, which I took this past year, BEC and REG, were not only extremely hard to study for, but my time management on the tests were horrendous. First round of BEC I didn’t even get to the first writing exercise, and the second time, I didn’t even look at the third writing prompt (which I’m guessing ended up being the experimental, thank God).

I took REG beginning of December after two months of my best efforts at studying. Again, I ran out of time, had to quickly fill out SIM #3 and didn’t even even look at the last two (I failed the exam, of course).

I’m retaking REG next month, and FAR in February. It’s too late to apply for ADA modification for REG, but I’m seriously considering trying for FAR. I can know the material inside and out, but when exam day comes around, I have to re-read a question 3 times, lose my train off thought when trying to solve the problem, and I go back and have to re read the question again. The SIMs are worse, and take up twice the amount of time they should.

Anyway, I know they’re super strict with giving out extra time, so given the recency of my diagnosis, and my failure to apply for it during past exams, will I even have a shot? I have more than enough paperwork to back up my diagnosis (two psychiatrists, psychologist, and my general doctor).

Also, if anyone else diagnosed with ADHD takes the exam under normal circumstances and does well, I would love to hear any strategies or advice you have. I really don’t want to use the ADA unless I absolutely have too. After failing the last three exams because of running out of time, I’m becoming more inclined to go for it.

[mla1169]

I have ADHD and never considered the ADA modification. Honestly the thought of spending MORE time in prometric than what was already allowed for the exam was no incentive to me, but then again I never ran out of time taking one.

I think the approval process is very individualized so I wouldn't rely on anybody else's experience but I don't think that the fact that the diagnosis was recent will work against you–you have the documentation that you need.

I will say I find it ironic though that you started out by venting about those who use their diagnosis for modifications, if they have a dr's diagnosis and all the paperwork, they're entitled to the extra time.

Oddly enough I have a physical disability which has entitled me to modifications in everything, including employment, but have never once exercised a request for modifications.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

I have ADHD and never considered the ADA modification. Honestly the thought of spending MORE time in prometric than what was already allowed for the exam was no incentive to me, but then again I never ran out of time taking one.

I think the approval process is very individualized so I wouldn't rely on anybody else's experience but I don't think that the fact that the diagnosis was recent will work against you–you have the documentation that you need.

I will say I find it ironic though that you started out by venting about those who use their diagnosis for modifications, if they have a dr's diagnosis and all the paperwork, they're entitled to the extra time.

Oddly enough I have a physical disability which has entitled me to modifications in everything, including employment, but have never once exercised a request for modifications.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I know this thread is a couple days old…but I'd pulled it up to reply to the other day and then ran out of time, so just wanted to comment to the OP that I know attention deficit disorders can wreak major havoc on one's ability to study, test, etc., like others. My boyfriend has ADD (and autism) and is smart as a tack, but has struggled a lot through school because even though he was smart, intelligent, etc., he doesn't think like other people do and has trouble performing the same on the various standardized measurements.

As to whether or not they'll grant extra time, I don't know. It's a sticky situation for them because like you were saying, a lot of people are able to get the diagnosis and the extra time that don't necessarily warrant it (your classmates who convinced the teachers they needed extra time, then outperformed everyone, which would indicate that they were given an unfair advantage rather than accomodation to level the playing field). Because a lot of people are diagnosed with ADHD especially as children when they really are able to do just fine without the extra help, I imagine it makes it hard for folks like NASBA and AICPA to determine when extra assistance is warranted and when it isn't.

If they don't allow you to have the extra time, then I would suggest doing lots of practice tests (with the same testing time limits etc) to see if you can discover any “tricks” to help you focus better and move more quickly. I know that for my boyfriend, in order for him to succeed in doing what he's managed to do, he's had the find the oddest little tricks that somehow manage to make things work for him – things like staring at his nose to focus. So, if they won't give you extra time, I'd suggest simulating the experience over and over till you can figure out how to manage to make it work for you. Not saying it will be easy, and given the severity of your ADHD (based on what you've said), it will definitely still be putting you at a disadvantage…but you *can* still do it. If they're going to make it harder for you, then I am sure that you can work harder and pull out a win yet. 🙂

[Anonymous]

I know this thread is a couple days old…but I'd pulled it up to reply to the other day and then ran out of time, so just wanted to comment to the OP that I know attention deficit disorders can wreak major havoc on one's ability to study, test, etc., like others. My boyfriend has ADD (and autism) and is smart as a tack, but has struggled a lot through school because even though he was smart, intelligent, etc., he doesn't think like other people do and has trouble performing the same on the various standardized measurements.

As to whether or not they'll grant extra time, I don't know. It's a sticky situation for them because like you were saying, a lot of people are able to get the diagnosis and the extra time that don't necessarily warrant it (your classmates who convinced the teachers they needed extra time, then outperformed everyone, which would indicate that they were given an unfair advantage rather than accomodation to level the playing field). Because a lot of people are diagnosed with ADHD especially as children when they really are able to do just fine without the extra help, I imagine it makes it hard for folks like NASBA and AICPA to determine when extra assistance is warranted and when it isn't.

If they don't allow you to have the extra time, then I would suggest doing lots of practice tests (with the same testing time limits etc) to see if you can discover any “tricks” to help you focus better and move more quickly. I know that for my boyfriend, in order for him to succeed in doing what he's managed to do, he's had the find the oddest little tricks that somehow manage to make things work for him – things like staring at his nose to focus. So, if they won't give you extra time, I'd suggest simulating the experience over and over till you can figure out how to manage to make it work for you. Not saying it will be easy, and given the severity of your ADHD (based on what you've said), it will definitely still be putting you at a disadvantage…but you *can* still do it. If they're going to make it harder for you, then I am sure that you can work harder and pull out a win yet. 🙂

[Author]

Replies