I am currently in Hong Kong and was diagnosed last year-- must be pretty late for a Hong Konger.

Since I might apply for grad school in North America, hence, I would need to take the GRE and the TOEFL.

As for TOEFL, I don't think I need to file accomodations anyway; I don't have a problem dealing with English test papers at the given time period; I got an IELTS overall band of 8.0.

On the other hand, as on the GRE, some accomodations might be needed, as I consider at this stage. (It may not.)

I read ETS' Guide of documentating ADHD (http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.c988ba0e5dd572bada20bc47c3921509/?vgnextoid=5de261a655355010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCR D&vgnextchannel=fbc7be3a864f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190 RCRD) and found something perplexing:


It specifically mentions ADA.
A complete psychoeducational assessment is needed.
Even I was diagnosed, I never requested any accomodations-- accomodations for LD in HK is next to nil anyway. I would wonder whether if that guide is specifically written for American populations, and how can an adult get a psychoeducational assessment locally... Does that mean I need to tell my school about ADHD anyway...?

When I took the Praxis exams for Teaching, I had the option of requesting accomodations. I am adhd, and this was one of the qualifying diagnoses for accomodation according to the ets booklet.

I had to have a letter from the diagnosing doctor, verifying that I had been diagnosed with adhd, on his letterhead. To take follow-up testing years later, the letter had to be from the doctor now "treating" me (in other words, the one who writes my scripts for concerta). It had to specifically state my actual diagnosis, and the EXACT accomodations that needed to be made.

In my case, I was given extended time (double the amount usually given), more frequent breaks, the exam was proctored only to me, in a room with as few distractions as possible, and I was allowed paper to write out notes for problems before submitting my answer on my exam booklet. The notes were attached to the booklet, and submitted with my test--I did not get to keep any of it.

I had to apply for the exam differently, in that I had to send it to a different address, with the letter from the doctor. All the fees were the same, and the testing date was the same. The only difference was, I tested in a different room, but they were expecting me. I was directed to the alternate room.

Best of luck to you. :)

and the EXACT accomodations that needed to be made.
This is the difficult part. How can the psych be of any sure?

There are specific things listed/accepted by the ETS testing people, such as extended time (50%, 75%, 100% or double time), additional paper to write on, less distractive environment, no one else there but the proctor of the exam and you, more frequent breaks (depending upon the length of time for the exams, this could be as often as every 30 minutes, every 60 minutes, the use of a calculator if permitted--usually they stick to paper, but you never know, or whatever is necessary for you--this is also why it's important to be by yourself...imagine trying to take a test where someone else keeps standing up?!)

One reason you need a letter from your diagnosing or current doctor is that he or she KNOWS you, and together, you will be in a much better position to determine which modifications will assist you in taking the test on the most level playing field possible.

If you didn't already have this site: www.ets.org (http://www.ets.org) . They have a lot of information about testing, including the GRE's, on this site. There is a link for testing with disabilities, and also the ability under "contact us" to direct additional questions. I am certain there is a section in my ETS Praxis booklet on test taking for international students, so the website should be able to answer any questions you might have pertaining to your particular test. I hope this helps.

I saw a great keychain the other day: The only way to PASS the test, is to TAKE the test. :) Please keep me posted on how you are doing!

As you see the links, I read ETS.org.

The problem here is, my doc here never assessed me very quantatively, what he made for diagnosis was histories and current symptoms. He didn't really use any mentoh to test my attention span, or whatever. I wonder if he can ever determine the level of assistance needed...

I saw the link to specific modifications and adhd with testing, I didn't realize it was the same link to their homepage :) sorry.

He/You should request the maximum allowed, and the worst they can do is deny the maximum. If you have a diagnosis, my opinion is that they will allow SOME level of modification for you. If he/you asks for the maximum, then unless they (ETS) feel otherwise, that's what you would receive.

You should also contact them directly with your concerns, and see what they have to say. They might be able to clarify things for you.