If a disability, chronic health condition, or documented learning difference affects your ability to sit a timed, high-stakes exam, the system is designed to meet you halfway — legally and by policy. Both the GRE (administered by ETS) and the HESI A2 (administered by Elsevier) have formal accommodation processes, and thousands of applicants use them every year. The process has paperwork, yes — but it's paperwork with a payoff: an exam that actually measures your knowledge instead of your disability. Here's exactly how to navigate both systems.
The Golden Rule for Both Exams
Start early — months early, not weeks. ETS notes that paper-delivered accommodations can take up to 4–6 weeks to process, and full reviews of documentation take additional time Source. Treat the accommodation request as a deadline on your calendar the moment you decide to take the exam.
Requesting GRE Accommodations (ETS)
Step 1 — Verify eligibility. Accommodations are available for documented disabilities and health-related needs, including ADHD, learning disabilities, physical/mobility conditions, visual or hearing impairments, and medical conditions requiring breaks Source.
Step 2 — Get the right form. The process uses the "Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities and Health-Related Needs" and the Testing Accommodations Request Form, both from ETS. The GRE General Test also uses an Authorization Request Voucher form for registration Source.
Step 3 — Prepare documentation. ETS requires documentation that meets its published criteria — a recent evaluation (typically within 3–5 years, depending on condition) from a qualified professional, describing the diagnosis, functional impact on test-taking, and recommended accommodations Source. If you have an IEP, 504 plan, or prior accommodation history, include it as supporting evidence.
Step 4 — Submit by mail or email. ETS accepts requests by email at disability.reg@ets.org or by mail. Attach the completed request form plus full documentation Source.
Step 5 — Wait, then confirm. ETS reviews the complete package and notifies you of the decision. Common approved accommodations: 50% or 100% extended time, extra breaks, a separate room, screen magnification, assistive technology, and alternative access formats Source. Register for the test only after approval so your accommodation codes attach to your registration.
Requesting HESI A2 Accommodations (Elsevier/Prometric)
Step 1 — Know your two paths. You may test at your school's testing site (accommodations arranged through the school) or at a Prometric center (accommodations requested through Elsevier's registration system) Source.
Step 2 — For Prometric testing: schedule through Prometric's HESI portal, and submit the applicable accommodations request form through Evolve/Elsevier for approval before scheduling. Schools commonly instruct students to submit the accommodation form to Elsevier and wait for approval before booking a seat Source. Prometric publishes its own special-accommodations process for HESI scheduling Source.
Step 3 — For school-site testing: contact your program's disability services office first — many HESI A2 administrations happen on campus, and the school's accommodated testing center (extra time, private room, reader/scribe options) handles it directly.
Step 4 — Provide current documentation. Expect to submit a recent clinician evaluation describing your diagnosis and the specific supports you need (extra time, breaks, separate room). Follow your school's documentation deadlines — they're often earlier than you'd guess.
Common Accommodations at a Glance
| Accommodation | GRE (ETS) | HESI A2 |
|---|---|---|
| Extended time | Common (50% / 100%) | Common (varies by institution) |
| Extra/unscheduled breaks | Yes | Yes (where documented) |
| Separate testing room | Yes | Yes |
| Assistive technology / screen reader | Yes (with documentation) | Case-by-case |
| Alternative formats / magnification | Yes | Case-by-case |
The Documentation Checklist (Both Exams)
- Current, dated evaluation from a qualified professional (psychologist, physician, specialist)
- Clear diagnosis + description of functional impact on test-taking
- Recommended accommodations, stated explicitly
- Testing history (IEP/504/prior accommodations) if available
- Completed official request form
- Sent via the channel the organization actually accepts (email or mail for ETS; Evolve portal/school DSS for Elsevier)
What If Your Request Is Denied?
Denials happen — usually because documentation is outdated or doesn't connect the diagnosis to exam-day impact. You have the right to appeal or resubmit under both systems. Get a fresh evaluation if yours is old, ask the evaluator to explicitly address "how this affects timed standardized testing," and resubmit promptly. If you're registered through a school, the disability services office is your advocate — use them.
Conclusion
Accommodations aren't an advantage; they're a level playing field — and both ETS and Elsevier have formal, documented paths to get you there. The entire process reduces to four actions: gather current documentation, complete the official form, submit through the right channel, and start at least 6–8 weeks before your target date. Do that, and test day becomes a fair fight between you and the material — which is the only fight worth having. Check ETS's disability page and your program's HESI testing info today, and put the request in your calendar now.
Put it into practice
Choose one idea from this guide and apply it in your next study block. Track what changes, then refine your process based on the evidence—not the feeling of familiarity.