Effects of Extended Time for College Students With and Without ADHD

Abstract

Objective: The number of students with a disability requesting test accommodations has been steadily increasing in higher education settings. The present study examined the effects of extra time on the reading comprehension performance of college students with and without ADHD. Method: A modified version of The Nelson–Denny Reading Test was completed by 38 college students with ADHD and 38 matched controls under three conditions: standard time, time and one half, and double time. Results: Groups did not differ in the number of items attempted or correctly answered at standard time, time and one half, or double time. Comparing the ADHD group at extended time to non-ADHD peers at standard time, the ADHD group attempted and answered significantly more test items. Conclusion: Extra time conferred an advantage to the ADHD group, suggesting that extended time accommodations are not specific and perhaps not necessary for all college students with an ADHD diagnosis.