Should You Disclose ADHD, Dyslexia, or Another Disability During Consulting Recruiting?

Consulting online assessment accommodations can include extra time for candidates who need an approved adjustment during a timed screening test. If you are wondering whether you can get extra time on consulting online assessments, the answer depends on the firm's process, the specific assessment, and whether your request is approved before you begin. Because extra time on consulting assessments is usually arranged in advance, you should not start the test until you understand how your accommodation will be applied. In this article, we will explore how extra-time accommodations work, when to request them, and what to confirm before starting your assessment.

TL;DR - What You Need to Know

Consulting online assessment accommodations may include approved extra time, but candidates should confirm the adjustment before starting any timed assessment.

• Extra time on online assessments may apply to the full test, specific sections, or selected timed tasks.
• Candidates should request extra time on consulting assessments as early as possible before launching the test.
• Accommodation requests usually require candidates to follow firm instructions and contact recruiting or assessment support.
• Candidates should verify the approved timing, assessment duration, and support contact before clicking start.
• Missing extra time should be reported before the assessment begins whenever possible.

Can You Get Extra Time on Consulting Online Assessments?

Yes. Consulting online assessment accommodations may include extra time when a candidate has an approved disability related adjustment or similar accessibility need. The exact accommodation can vary by firm, assessment, and individual circumstances, so you should confirm what has been approved before starting a timed test.

Extra time is not something you should assume will be added automatically. In practice, the firm or assessment provider may need to approve the adjustment and configure the assessment before you launch it.

McKinsey, for example, states that candidates with a disability, health condition, or specific learning difficulty can speak with their recruiter about assessment accommodations. Its current assessment guidance also notes that approved disability accommodations may modify the standard assessment conditions.

The amount and format of additional time may depend on factors such as:

• The specific online recruiting assessment you are taking
• The nature of the approved accommodation
• How the assessment is timed or divided into tasks
• The firm's accommodation process
• Whether the assessment platform needs to be configured in advance

This means two candidates should not assume they will receive the same extended test time, even if both receive an accommodation. The appropriate adjustment is generally based on the candidate's circumstances and the requirements of the assessment.

If you believe you may need extra time on online assessments, raise the request before opening or starting the test. This gives the recruiting team an opportunity to confirm the approved accommodation and helps you avoid beginning a timed assessment under the wrong settings.

How Do Extra-Time Accommodations for Online Assessments Work?

Extra time on online assessments is typically applied by increasing the time available for a timed test, section, or task after an accommodation has been approved. The exact adjustment can vary because some assessments are fully timed, while others contain only specific timed components. Candidates should not assume that one standard extra-time percentage applies everywhere.

In practice, the adjustment may affect only the parts of an assessment where time is restricted. For example, official assessment guidance in other recruitment settings shows that extra time can be added to specific timed sections while untimed sections remain unchanged.

The amount of additional time can also differ depending on the approved accommodation. Some assessment systems support different percentages or configurations rather than one universal extended test time for every candidate.

You may therefore see extra time applied in different ways, such as:

• More time for the full timed assessment
• More time for specific timed sections
• Additional preparation or thinking time for certain tasks
• No time adjustment for sections that are already untimed

The assessment platform also matters. Some systems require the recruiter or administrator to configure timed sections separately, meaning an accommodation may not automatically carry across every part of the test.

This is why you should rely on the accommodation confirmed for your specific assessment rather than assuming that a previous arrangement, a percentage used elsewhere, or another candidate's experience will apply to you. The purpose of the adjustment is to provide appropriate access to the assessment, not to create a universal timing rule.

When Should You Request Extra Time on Consulting Assessments?

You should request extra time on consulting assessments as early as possible and before starting the assessment. Early notice gives the recruiting team time to review your request, confirm any approved accommodation, and ensure the correct assessment settings are in place before you begin a timed test.

If the application or assessment invitation asks whether you need an accommodation, use that opportunity to raise the request. If you realise later that you may need additional time, contact the recruiter or designated support contact before launching the assessment.

McKinsey currently advises candidates who need accommodations during the recruiting process to contact the recruiting team. Its guidance also states that candidates with a disability, health condition, or specific learning difficulty should speak with their recruiter about assessment accommodations.

Requesting extra time early is useful because the process may involve several steps:

• You submit an accommodation request.
• The recruiting team reviews what adjustment may be appropriate.
• You may be asked for additional information where required.
• The assessment settings may need to be updated.
• You receive confirmation of the arrangement before taking the test.

There is no universal consulting industry deadline for requesting an accommodation. The timing and process can differ by employer, office, assessment, and individual circumstances.

More broadly, current recruitment guidance recommends requesting reasonable adjustments before taking an online test and contacting the recruiting team if the need arises later in the process.

The key practical rule is simple: do not wait until you are inside a timed assessment to raise a known accommodation need. If you expect to require extended test time, contact the relevant recruiting team early enough for the arrangement to be reviewed and confirmed.

How Do You Request Consulting Online Assessment Accommodations?

To request consulting online assessment accommodations, follow the instructions provided in your application or assessment invitation and contact the designated recruiting or assessment support team before starting the test. Explain the adjustment you need clearly and provide any supporting information the firm requests as part of its accommodation process.

The exact process can vary by firm, office, and assessment provider. Some employers allow candidates to indicate accommodation needs during the application, while others ask candidates to contact recruiting directly once an assessment has been issued.

A typical accommodation request may involve:

• Identifying the assessment or recruiting stage you are completing
• Explaining the adjustment you are requesting
• Providing supporting documentation if the firm requires it
• Waiting for the request to be reviewed
• Receiving confirmation that the approved accommodation has been applied

McKinsey currently advises candidates who need accommodations during the recruiting process to speak with their recruiter. The firm also notes that approved disability accommodations can modify the standard conditions under which an assessment is completed.

You do not need to provide more personal information than the process requires. The important point is to communicate the functional adjustment you need, such as additional time, and follow the instructions given by the recruiting team.

Do not assume that sending a request automatically changes your assessment settings. Wait for confirmation that your consulting assessment accommodations have been approved and applied before you begin the test.

What Should You Confirm Before Starting the Assessment?

Before starting the assessment, confirm that any approved extra time or other adjustment has actually been applied to your test. You should also check the assessment duration, instructions, deadline, and contact details for support so you do not begin a timed test with incorrect settings.

An approval message alone does not necessarily tell you how the adjustment will appear in the testing platform. The safest approach is to review the information provided in your assessment invitation and compare it with the accommodation you were told to expect.

Before you click start, confirm:

• The total time available for the assessment
• Whether extra time applies to the full test or only certain timed sections
• Whether any preparation or reading time has also changed
• The assessment deadline and access window
• Which recruiting or assessment support contact to use if something looks incorrect

If the platform shows a visible timer or stated duration before launch, check that it appears consistent with your approved arrangement. If the timing is unclear, ask the recruiting or assessment support team to confirm it before proceeding.

You should also keep any written confirmation of your approved accommodation available. This can help you explain the issue clearly if the assessment settings do not match what you were told.

Most importantly, avoid starting the assessment simply because the link is active. Once a timed assessment begins, it may be difficult to correct the settings without interrupting the test, so verification before launch is the most reliable approach.

What If Your Extra Time Has Not Been Applied?

If your consulting assessment accommodations have been approved but the expected extra time is not showing, contact the recruiter or designated assessment support team before starting the test. Do not assume the timing will update after launch, especially when the assessment is timed or the instructions do not match the accommodation you were given.

Start by checking the written confirmation you received against the assessment invitation or testing screen. Look for the stated duration, any section specific timing, and whether the accommodation applies automatically or requires a separate assessment link.

If something appears incorrect:

• Do not begin the assessment if you can avoid doing so
• Contact your recruiter for questions about the approved accommodation
• Contact technical support if the issue appears to involve the assessment platform
• Explain clearly what accommodation was approved and what timing you currently see
• Keep the written confirmation of your approved adjustment available

McKinsey currently tells candidates to contact their recruiting contact when they need clarification about assessment requirements. Its Solve guidance also directs candidates with technical issues to assessment support and states that accommodations for disabilities can be approved as part of the recruiting process.

If a technical problem occurs after you have already started, follow the support instructions provided with the assessment immediately. For example, McKinsey's published Solve guidance says candidates experiencing technical issues should contact support when the issue occurs, rather than waiting until after the assessment.

The key distinction is whether you are dealing with an accommodation issue or a technical issue. Questions about what adjustment you were approved to receive generally belong with recruiting, while a platform malfunction or incorrect test link may need technical support.

Resolving the issue before continuing helps ensure that you complete the assessment under the conditions that were actually approved for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can extra time change your consulting assessment score?

Extra time on consulting assessments changes the testing conditions, not the scoring standard itself, when it is provided as an approved accommodation. Candidates should still expect their performance to be evaluated under the firm’s normal assessment criteria.

Do you need documentation for extra time on assessments?

Documentation may be required for an accommodation request, but this depends on the employer and the circumstances. Some processes may ask for supporting evidence when the need for an adjustment is not clear from the initial discussion.

Can reasonable adjustments include more than extra time?

Yes. Reasonable adjustments for online assessments can include changes to timing, display settings, assistive technology, alternative formats, or other accessibility support depending on the candidate’s needs and the assessment.

Can McKinsey provide extra time for online assessments?

Yes. McKinsey states that candidates with a disability, health condition, or specific learning difficulty should speak with their recruiter so the assessment can be accommodated accordingly.

What is the difference between extra time and untimed testing?

Extra time extends the limit on a timed assessment, while untimed testing removes a fixed completion limit altogether. These are different assessment adjustments and should not be treated as interchangeable.