Testing Accommodations for the Bar Exam
Getting extended time for the bar exam is not so easy. Since there is a great deal of importance placed on passing this exam to practice law, it is important that people who have a learning disability and require extra time get the accommodations they need for this exam. Passing the bar can determine your future; it can mean the difference between furthering your career or not. Don’t you want to do the best you can? If you find yourself running out of time when taking practice bar exams, you may be eligible for extended time it.
The requirements for applying for extended time on the bar exam are demanding, and can be expensive. But isn’t your future worth it? If you think you may be eligible for extended time, you must know the requirements and gather the proper materials within the given time constraints. Testing, The Brain Clinic’s primary role, is central to obtaining extended time, but it is not enough. Historical documentation is also very important; it is your responsibility to get this to Dr. Thomas in a timely manner. Be advised that there is no guarantee the testing results will result in a diagnosis of having a learning disability with the recommendation of extended time.
In order to make the best case for extended time due to a learning disability, Dr. Thomas must be provided with:
• School records: Starting from grammar school through college and law school, if possible. You will probably have to give the school(s) a written release to do this if they are sent directly to Dr. Thomas. Start this procedure as early as possible.
• Test reports and letters which document learning problems in your past: This includes letters from doctors, teachers, school officials, even relatives and parents, attesting to your learning problems (signed and dated).
• A personal written statement detailing the learning problems you have had throughout your past: This can be emailed to Dr. Thomas. If you have not had accommodations in the past, you need to explain why. How is it you were not identified as being learning disabled as a child? What struggles did you go through? Did you get informal accommodations from teachers (like extra time on tests), or did someone help you a lot with homework (parent, tutor, grandma)? Include your medical and developmental (childhood) history, which is also required.
The Brain Clinic’s report will be more likely to be successful if there is a well-documented history of your disability; we need to show that you are not just trying to get an extra advantage by requesting extra time. Highlight the problems on the copies; keep originals in your own file.
You need to appreciate that it is inconvenient for testing services to grant you extra time; it costs them extra money and time (to hire people to review your submissions, monitor you on site, rent extra space, etc.). Because of this, it is essential to make a very strong case. I am the best person to do so, with almost 30 years of experience in this field. In this office, we have done thousands of these evaluations for extra time accommodations.
Please note that these reports take time to write, as they often end up being over 15 pages long. The report will be finished after submitting the final materials; a report without complications will take about 10 business days to write. A deposit of $500 is necessary to schedule the first appointment and full payment is due by the last testing session. The fee is payable to Dr. Thomas, and refundable if appointments are cancelled with more than 48 hours notice. Reports are released when the bill is paid in full. Alternatively, you can schedule an intake appointment to go over your case in detail, before starting the testing process (fee is $225).
Testing Accommodations for the Bar Exam