Testing accommodations denied? Here's what to do next

A denial is not the end of the process. Most denials point to specific gaps in documentation, and most agencies allow an appeal or reconsideration. What matters is how quickly and how precisely you respond.

What to do in the first 48 hours

1. Read the decision line by lineAgencies usually give a reason for each accommodation they deny. Each reason is a separate thing your response must address.
2. Find your deadlineAppeal and reconsideration windows vary by agency and can be short. Some agencies allow only one reconsideration per test date.
3. Save everythingKeep the decision letter, what you submitted, and all correspondence with dates.
4. Don't resubmit the same fileSending the same documents again rarely works. The response needs new or clarified evidence.

Common reasons for denial

• Documentation is out of date. Many agencies expect an evaluation from the last few years.
• No functional impact. The evaluation gives a diagnosis but doesn't explain how it limits performance on a timed, standardized test.
• No history of use. The accommodation doesn't appear in school or prior testing records, and there's no explanation why.
• Evaluator qualifications or scores missing. The report lacks standardized test scores or comes from someone outside their scope of practice.
• Late or incomplete submission. A missing signature, form or deadline.

Denials by exam

Each agency handles appeals differently. Start with your exam: