When Accommodation Requests Are Denied: A Post-Denial Plan for High-Stakes Exams
You submitted your documentation to the testing board (AAMC, LSAC, ETS, or College Board) and you received the cancellation: “Your request for accommodations has been denied.”
Before panic sets in, here’s the good news: a denial does not mean the end of the road. Each of these major boards provides a path for reconsideration or appeal.
Step 1 · Decode the Denial Letter
The denial letter is your roadmap. Boards almost always list why the request was denied, and each reason is actionable. Typical gaps include:
Your evaluation is older than the board’s acceptable timeframe. (For example: LSAC & ETS often require documentation within the last 5 years; AAMC often 3 years.)
Lack of objective test data (e.g., no processing speed measure, no sustained attention task).
The functional impact description doesn’t clearly tie to the specific test format (timed, multiple-choice, on-screen).
Collateral documentation (school history, previous accommodations, pattern of struggle) is absent.
What you should do: Print or screenshot the denial. Create a table: “Reason given by the board” alongside “What my documentation shows” so you can clearly see exactly what the board says is missing.
Step 2 · Know the Clock & Act Quickly
Timing matters. Each board has specific deadlines for reconsideration or appeal. Missing a deadline may require you to start the entire process over.
LSAC: upload intent within 2 business days; full appeal docs in 5 calendar days.
AAMC (MCAT): submit within ~30 days of denial; typical review ~30 days.
ETS/GMAT: no fixed clock but the sooner you act (within 1–2 weeks) the better.
College Board (SAT/AP): no formal clock but prompt response maintains your test-window eligibility.
What you should do now: Note the date of denial. Set reminders for key deadlines (intent to appeal, doc submission, follow-up). The sooner you move, the less likely your case becomes “too late.”
Step 3 · Fill the Gaps Efficiently and Strategically
Your goal: add exactly what the board flagged as missing as quickly as possible.
Here’s a checklist of common fixes:
Update the evaluation: If your report is older than the required timeframe, do a new evaluation.
Add missing objective data: If your report lacks, for example, a processing speed index, timed reading fluency, sustained attention test, get them added.
Clarify functional impact: Make sure the report links your test results to real-world impact under timed, high-stakes conditions (e.g., “Despite strong reasoning skills, the timed MCAT format causes significant output delay and fatigue after 3 hours.”)
Collateral materials: Professor letters noting difficulty under time pressure, grade trends showing slower completion times, prior accommodations in school, even if you still excelled.
Cover letter: Draft a concise cover letter summarizing what’s new, what’s addressed, referring to the board’s original reason. Some boards respond better if your cover letter clearly states “Attached you’ll find…” and bullet-lists your new evidence.
Tip: You don’t necessarily need a full 8-hour neuropsych battery every time. If your original evaluation was strong but missing one piece, sometimes a “gap addendum” works. However, ensure the new data is clearly connected to the demand of the specific exam.
Step 4 · Choose the Right Route: Reconsideration vs. Formal Appeal
Not every case requires a full formal appeal.
Reconsideration: Best when you have new data (more recent testing, new symptoms, updated medications). These boards treat this as “we’ll take another look.”
Formal Appeal: Best when you believe the board mis-applied their own rules or ignored your documentation. This route often requires you to cite specific policy sections, present a more compelling case overview.
New Submission (some boards treat it this way): For example, the College Board may treat your resubmission with new data as essentially a new request, so make sure you reference your prior case ID and denial date.
What you should ask yourself:
Do I have new objective information that wasn’t reviewed? → If yes, reconsideration might suffice.
Do I believe the board made a procedural or interpretation error? → Then prepare for a formal appeal route.
Step 5 · Draft the Cover Letter Framework
An effective cover letter is succinct, clear, and directive. Example template:
“On [date] I received notice that my request for accommodations was denied due to [insert board-identified gap A] and [gap B]. Attached you’ll find updated documentation: specifically new processing-speed data (WAIS-IV: Processing Speed Index = T = 35) and a professor’s letter detailing timed-reading struggles under multiple-choice conditions. I respectfully request reconsideration under case ID [xxx].”
Keep under ~300 words, bullet your attachments, match language of the board’s original letter.
Step 6 · Track the New Timeline & Follow-Up
Once you’ve submitted your additional materials:
Note the board’s stated review timeframe (e.g., AAMC ≈ 30 days; LSAC ≈ 10 days).
Mark a follow-up date if no word by day +1 of their stated window.
Avoid submitting additional materials unrequested unless a board asks for them. You want a clean, well-framed submission.
Maintain your test registration, if possible, to keep your exam slot while the review is ongoing.
Final Thoughts
A denied accommodation request isn’t a dead end. It’s an invitation to revise and strengthen your case. With a precise roadmap, timely action, and targeted data, you can turn that “no” into a “yes.” You don’t need to reinvent your documentation. Just address exactly what the board flagged, tie it directly to the exam format’s demands, and submit a concise, meaningful addendum.
If you’d like help reviewing your denial letter, planning the updated testing, or drafting the appeal cover letter, feel free to reach out for a consultation.
