What extended time accommodations work best for ADHD students?

PostedSeptember 25, 2025

UpdatedSeptember 25, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Using extended time for ADHD students can make a big difference in levelling the playing field especially during exams and assessments. ADHD can affect focus, working memory, and time management, making it harder to complete tasks within standard time limits. That’s where ADHD testing accommodations like extra time come in.

These adjustments aren’t about giving an unfair advantage. They’re designed to offset the processing delays, distractions, and task-switching difficulties that often come with ADHD. But not all extended time strategies are equally effective. The key is finding what works for the individual balancing structure, flexibility, and support.

Best Extra Time Strategies for ADHD in Exams

Here are some of the most effective extra time strategies used to provide exam support for ADHD:

Time-and-a-half

A widely used approach that offers breathing room for planning, writing, and revising without feeling rushed.

Chunked exam sessions

Breaking longer exams into shorter segments with breaks in between helps reduce fatigue and keep focus sharp.

Separate, low-distraction environments

Taking exams in quieter rooms limits interruptions and helps students stay on track during extended sessions.

Verbal or visual time reminders

Students with ADHD often lose track of time; scheduled cues help with pacing and reduce last-minute panic.

In conclusion, extended time for ADHD students and with the right timing strategies, students with ADHD can show what they know without being held back by how they process.

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert guidance tailored to your unique situation.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Classroom accommodations for ADHD.

Avery Lombardi, MSc

Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.