Evaluations for College and Testing Accommodations in Davis, CA

Accommodations let your grades and test scores reflect what you actually know. College disability offices and testing agencies need specific, current documentation, and this evaluation provides it.

We evaluate high school students, college students, and adults for accommodations at colleges like UC Davis and Sacramento State, and on exams like the SAT, ACT, and LSAT.

What Are College and Testing Accommodations?

Accommodations are changes to how a student takes classes or exams so a learning challenge doesn t keep them from showing what they know. Common examples include extended time, a reduced-distraction testing room, or using text-to-speech software.

Accommodations don t change what a student is expected to learn. They change how the student gets access to it. They also don t give a student an unfair advantage over classmates. Accommodations remove barriers so the student can be measured on the same material and by the same standard as everyone else.

In college, accommodations are approved by the school s disability office. For standardized exams, they re approved by the testing organization, such as the College Board, ACT, or LSAC. Each one reviews documentation before approving anything.

Who Should Get a College and Testing Accommodations Evaluation?

This evaluation may be a good fit if:

You had an IEP or 504 plan in high school, and you're heading off to college
You've always suspected something isn't quite connecting, but you were never evaluated or diagnosed
The strategies that got you through high school aren't keeping up with college coursework
You're preparing for the SAT, ACT, or a graduate admissions exam and want accommodations in place
You're a current student at UC Davis, Sacramento State, or another university nationwide and struggling more than you expected
You're an adult returning to school and wondering whether a learning difference has been part of the picture all along

What Disabilities Qualify for College and Testing Accommodations?

The table below shows a few examples. Every evaluation is tailored to the individual student, and recommendations are based on your results, not a standard list. If you re not sure whether your situation qualifies, a free consultation is a good place to start.

Common Accommodations

Area

Extended time, text-to-speech, and audiobooks

Dyslexia

Keyboard or laptop for exams, speech-to-text, and note-taking support

Dyscalculia

Calculator use, extended time, and formula sheets (approval varies by college and exam)

Dyslexia

Reduced-distraction testing room, breaks, and extended time

ADHD

Extended time

Processing Speed

Common Accommodations

Dyslexia

Extended time, text-to-speech, and audiobooks

Dysgraphia

Keyboard or laptop for exams, speech-to-text, and note-taking support

Dyscalculia

Calculator use, extended time, and formula sheets (approval varies by college and exam)

ADHD

Reduced-distraction testing room, breaks, and extended time

Processing Speed

Extended time

Why a High School IEP or 504 Plan Is Often Not Enough

IEPs and 504 plans don’t transfer to college. Once a student leaves high school, each college makes its own accommodation decisions, and most four- year universities, including UC Davis and UCLA, require documentation from a qualified evaluator. An IEP or 504 plan is usually treated as helpful background, not a replacement. Some colleges are more flexible, but a current evaluation is the most reliable way to get accommodations approved.

High school plans aren’t built for college or standardized exams. An IEP or 504 plan describes the support a student received in K-12. It isn’t a diagnostic evaluation, and that’s what college disability offices and testing agencies ask for: current test results, a clear diagnosis, and an explanation of how it affects learning.

That’s the documentation this evaluation is designed to provide.

What Colleges and Testing Agencies Look for in Documentation

Requirements vary by school and exam, but strong documentation usually
includes:

A current evaluation completed by a qualified professional who is not a family member
A clear diagnosis
A description of how the condition affects the student's learning, reading, writing, or test-taking
Standardized test scores that support the diagnosis
Specific recommended accommodations, each tied to the student's needs
The evaluator's credentials, signature, and contact information

We write every report with these requirements in mind, so whoever reviews your request, whether a college disability office or a testing agency like the College Board, has what it needs to make a decision.

Accommodations at UC Davis, UCLA, Sacramento State, and Other Colleges

UC Davis and UCLA

Both UC Davis and UCLA ask for current documentation from a qualified clinician, not just a high school plan. Both also run on the quarter system, so terms move quickly, and a few weeks delay can mean an entire quarter without accommodations. Starting your evaluation soon after you commit gives you time to have everything in place before classes begin.

Sacramento State

Sacramento State students request accommodations through the Disability Access Center. Completing your evaluation before your first semester means you can start the process as soon as you enroll.

Local Community Colleges

Sacramento City College, American River College, Woodland Community College, and Solano Community College each have a Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) office, and each one requires verification of your disability before approving accommodations. A
current evaluation gives DSPS a full picture of your needs, which supports testing accommodations as well as services like priority registration and assistive technology. It also carries forward if you transfer to a four-year university, where documentation standards are stricter.

Going somewhere else? Tell us where during your consultation, and we’ll make sure your report fits that school’s requirements.

Accommodations for the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, and Other Exams

Each testing organization has its own documentation requirements and review process. Our reports can support accommodation requests for
exams including:

High school and college entrance exams

Graduate and professional school admissions exams

Professional licensing exams

Don’t see your exam? Ask us. If it offers accommodations, we can probably help.

When to Schedule Your Evaluation

The sooner, the better. Ideally, your evaluation is complete, and your accommodations are approved before the school year starts, so you begin your classes with support already in place. Disability offices can take several weeks to review a request, so starting early matters.

That said, it s never too late. Many students come to us partway through the year, once classes have become harder than expected. A mid-year evaluation can still put accommodations in place for the rest of the term and the years ahead.

For standardized exams, every testing agency has its own review timeline, and that clock starts once the agency receives your accommodation request. Your evaluation needs to be finished before you can submit that request, so check your exam’s deadlines early and plan backward from your test date.

Timeline of Your Evaluation

We talk through your goals, which college or exam you re applying to,
and whether an evaluation is the right next step.

You share school records, past evaluations, and any IEP or 504 plan.

Testing takes place over 2 or 3 sessions, scheduled around your classes and commitments.

Rowan walks you through your results, explains how you learn best,
and shares practical strategies you can use in your classes, studying,
and everyday work. You ll also review the accommodations she
recommends, so you understand what the report says before you
submit it.

You receive a written report formatted for college disability offices and
testing agencies, typically within 2 weeks of your final testing session.

We talk through your goals, which college or exam you re applying to,
and whether an evaluation is the right next step.

You share school records, past evaluations, and any IEP or 504 plan.

Testing takes place over 2 or 3 sessions, scheduled around your classes and commitments.

Rowan walks you through your results, explains how you learn best, and shares practical strategies you can use in your classes, studying, and everyday work. You ll also review the accommodations she recommends, so you understand what the report says before you
submit it.

You receive a written report formatted for college disability offices and testing agencies, typically within 2 weeks of your final testing session.

Can You Guarantee I’ll Get Accommodations?

No, and you should be cautious of anyone who does. Each college and testing agency makes its own decision. What we can promise is a thorough evaluation and a clear report, with every recommendation tied to your test results, which is exactly what reviewers look for.

The evaluation is also useful beyond accommodations approval. You ll come away understanding how you learn, what your strengths are, and what gets in your way, along with practical strategies you can use in your classes, your studying, and your future work.

About Your Evaluator

Rowan Foley, EdS, LEP, NCSP, is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP #4295) and Nationally Certified School Psychologist.

She specializes in evaluating ADHD, learning disabilities, and other learning differences. Rowan s approach is strength-based and neurodiversity affirming: she looks at what gets in a student’s way and what helps them thrive. Rowan conducts every evaluation herself, from the first session through your feedback meeting.

About Rowan

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my high school IEP or 504 plan transfer to college?

No. Each college makes its own accommodation decisions, and most four-year universities, including UC Davis and UCLA, require documentation from a qualified evaluator. Some community colleges are more flexible and may accept an IEP or 504 plan, but a current evaluation is the most reliable way to get accommodations approved.

How recent does my evaluation need to be?

It depends on the college or testing agency. Many, including UCLA, look for documentation from within the last three to five years, and graduate and professional exams are often stricter. Check the requirements for the specific school or exam you’re applying to.

Can I use the same report for college and for the SAT, GRE, or LSAT?

Often, yes. A thorough report can support requests to more than one college or testing agency. Each one has its own requirements, so let us know every place you plan to submit your report, and Rowan will write it with them in mind.

I was never diagnosed as a child. Can I still get accommodations in college?

Yes. Many students’ learning challenges aren’t identified until college, when the workload and pace make challenges harder to manage. An evaluation can show what’s getting in the way and recommend accommodations based on your results.

Are accommodations an unfair advantage?

No. Accommodations don’t lower expectations or change what’s tested. They remove barriers created by a disability, so the test measures what you know rather than how your disability affects you. Colleges and testing agencies only approve accommodations when documentation shows they’re needed.

How much does a college accommodations evaluation cost?

A college and testing accommodations evaluation is a flat fee of $3,500. That includes testing sessions, diagnosis where applicable, the written report, and your feedback session. No surprise charges, and we’ll walk you through everything during your free consultation.

Is a college accommodations evaluation covered by insurance?

Usually not. Most insurance plans don’t cover evaluations done for academic or testing accommodations. Breakthrough Education Support is private pay, and we’re happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurer for potential partial out-of-network reimbursement. You may also be able to pay with your HSA or FSA card.

Take the Next Step Toward the Right Accommodations

Whether you re a high school senior heading to college, a current student, preparing for a graduate or licensing exam, or an adult going back to school, we ll help you figure out what you need.

Start the Conversation

Fill out the form below. We’ll be in touch within two business days to schedule your free consultation.