Should I take the GRE with accommodations?

[Kaede]

I normally get double time on my exams for a documented disability. I have heard that if you take the GRE with accommodations, that that is noted on the scores sent to the schools. Would that put me at a disadvantage? Would it be better to get a lower score and not have schools know I took extra time, or is the higher score worth it? (I am applying to bio programs)

[Apogeee]

50 minutes ago, Kaede said:

I normally get double time on my exams for a documented disability. I have heard that if you take the GRE with accommodations, that that is noted on the scores sent to the schools. Would that put me at a disadvantage? Would it be better to get a lower score and not have schools know I took extra time, or is the higher score worth it? (I am applying to bio programs)

The law says that your disability cannot count against you. So any school that did count a disability against you would be in violation of the law. I am surprised that ETS could be legally permitted to state in the score report that accommodations were provided to you. I think you should check this with ETS. stassd@ets.org. It could be one of those urban legends. 

[Apogeee]

This bothered me so I went to check.  https://www.ets.org/disabilities/test_takers/faq/

"I heard that ETS is no longer flagging test scores that are reported to score recipients. Is this true?

ETS has discontinued flagging almost all scores for tests that are taken with accommodations. For example, if a test taker receives additional time or extra breaks, the score will no longer be flagged in the report. In rare instances, ETS will flag the score report as a "nonstandard administration" only if the test is significantly altered." 

[Kaede]

That is wonderful to hear. Thank you so much for this information.

[coffeecode]

If you need accommodations, you should use them. It's the same thing as not leaving your glasses home. Everyone deserves an equal shot. Your accommodations provide that for you.

[Inez_Only]

I highly recommend you apply with accommodations if you need them. My first time writing the GRE was without accommodations because I've never needed them for exams I wrote in school, but I quickly realized it was a huge mistake as the GRE differs greatly from the exams I wrote in undergrad.