A preparation plan should account for how you will access the assessment, not simply how many questions you can practise. If a disability, medical condition or other access need affects your testing, address the provider's process early. Extra practice cannot substitute for an approved accommodation or a workable setup.
Begin with the current official instructions and free practice. The planning examples below are QuietStride's independent organizational suggestions, not an assessment of eligibility or a promise that a particular request will be approved. Information was checked on October 26, 2026.
Put the accommodation process before the rehearsal schedule
Acuity requests the completed accommodation form and supporting documentation at least four weeks before a Casper assessment. Requests are reviewed individually. Its guidance also explains how to request a secure upload route and how exceptional circumstances are considered. Follow the official application instructions directly.
If you are already inside that window, contact the provider promptly rather than assuming either that approval is impossible or that the deadline will be waived. The provider must determine what is feasible. A coach, tutor or article cannot make that decision on its behalf.
Create a private administrative record of what you submitted, when you submitted it and what confirmation you received. Store sensitive documentation securely and avoid including it in a shared study spreadsheet. A simple entry such as “request acknowledged; awaiting decision” is enough for a general preparation calendar.
Distinguish requested, approved and tested
These are different states. Requesting additional time does not mean it has been approved. An approval does not by itself establish that every device or assistive tool has been configured successfully. A successful practice session does not authorize a tool that the provider has not permitted.
Acuity lists support examples including additional time, assistive software and certain assistive personnel, while emphasizing individualized arrangements. Some approved software or personnel costs are the applicant's responsibility. Read available accommodations and limits and your own approval letter rather than borrowing another applicant's setup.
Use a small tracking table:
| Item | Current status | Evidence needed before relying on it |
|---|---|---|
| Requested timing adjustment | Submitted, pending or approved | Written confirmation and the applicable instructions |
| Assistive tool | Proposed, approved or configured | Permission for the specific use and a successful permitted rehearsal |
| Testing location | Considered or arranged | Access, privacy and availability for the whole session |
| Device and connection | Available or checked | Completion of the provider's required check |
The table is an organizational aid. It does not replace correspondence with Acuity or establish that a setup is compliant.
A fictional applicant's setup problem
Fictional planning example: Eli has received approval for a particular assistive arrangement. A friend offers a quiet office with a computer, and Eli assumes the accommodation will work because the room is ideal. During a rehearsal, the required software is unavailable on that computer, and workplace restrictions prevent installation.
The problem is not lack of effort or a need for more practice questions. The proposed location does not currently support the approved arrangement. Eli should clarify the technical requirements with the provider and the device administrator, then identify a permitted setup that actually supports them. Disabling workplace protections or installing software without authorization would not be a sensible workaround.
A practical plan might be to use Eli's own compatible device in the room, if that is allowed and the provider confirms the arrangement, or choose another location. Either option needs a rehearsal before it becomes the plan for test day.
The lesson is to verify the combination: approved support, device, environment and connection. Checking each in isolation can miss how they interact.
Rehearse the setup you intend to use
Follow the approval letter's instructions for any accommodated practice. For the general technical check, Acuity requires a system requirements check within six hours before the scheduled test, using the intended setup. See the official preparation instructions.
In advance, rehearse ordinary practical details as well. Can you enter the room at the planned time? Will someone lock it or interrupt the session? Is the work surface usable? Can you read the display comfortably and reach the equipment you need? Does the microphone capture your voice in that actual room?
Write down unresolved issues with an owner and a next action. “Need a quiet place” is a concern. “Confirm the room is available for the entire testing window with the building contact” is an action. Keep the list small enough to complete.
Check permitted tools rather than making assumptions
The current rules specify supported computers and browsers and restrict unapproved assistance. Dictation requires prior approval; prewritten notes and grammar or translation tools are not permitted. Read the official test rules, including the rules relevant to your approved arrangement.
Do not assume a tool is allowed because you normally use it while studying. Equally, do not remove an approved accommodation merely because a general rule addresses applicants without it. Where the approval letter and general instructions seem inconsistent, ask Acuity to clarify before the assessment.
A friend may help you arrange a room beforehand, but that does not authorize them to assist during the test. The distinction between preparation support and assessment assistance needs to remain clear.
A final exercise: identify what remains unverified
Imagine you have a confirmation email, an accessible room and a borrowed laptop. What would you still need to check?
A useful answer identifies the actual approved measures, their setup instructions, compatibility with the laptop, access to the permitted practice route and the required system check. It also confirms the room's availability and a way to contact provider support if an issue arises. “Everything is ready because the accommodation was approved” skips these implementation details.
Use your official instructions as the final reference. QuietStride's CASPer practice can provide additional independent reflection exercises after those arrangements are addressed. An accessible, verified setup is part of the preparation itself, and it deserves a place on the calendar before another optional question set.