As a high school senior, I know that junior year is a very stressful time. Not only was there a push to get excellent grades for a strong college application, but I had to take one of the most stressful tests known to high schoolers. I had to take the ACT. Of course I was worried about what score I would earn but I was also worried if my diabetes would get in the way. The English test is 45 minutes while the Math portion was an hour. My blood sugar could drop or I could have hyperglycemia in those time periods. My worries vanished when my school offered me "On the Clock" special accommodations. If my blood sugar went low during the test, the test examiner could stop the clock (not adding or taking away any test time) and I could have a snack. I actually had to use this feature once when I was in the middle of the math test and I felt my blood sugar going low.
I recommend special accommodations to every diabetic high schooler. It gives you a sense of security that you can do your best on a test with no interruptions. This feature is not just limited to the ACT, but many schools offer special accommodations for AP tests and even final exams. Just ask your counselor, nurse, or school psychologist if your school offers this feature. Make sure to ask at least three months in advance before the test because there may be forms that your doctor has to fill out.
