The nonprofit ACT Inc. in Iowa City, Iowa, said it will end the practice — known as flagging — starting with tests taken Sept. 27, 2003. At present, disabled students getting extra time for the 2-hour, 55-minute exam have "special" noted on their test scores when they are sent to colleges.

Among an estimated 2 million ACTs taken in the school year that ended in June, about 30,000 were completed by students who got extra time, said ACT spokesman Ken Gullette.

"Our decision to stop flagging scores comes after a thorough review," Richard Ferguson, chief executive officer of ACT, said in a prepared statement.

Last week, the New York-based College Board said it would end flagging of its SAT college entrance exam, SAT II subject tests, PSAT tests and Advanced Placement exams as of October 2003.

Among 2.6 million SATs taken during the school year that ended in June, 51,700 were completed by people who had been granted special accommodation.

The College Board's action averted a possible lawsuit by Disability Rights Advocates, a nonprofit law firm in Oakland, Calif. The group argued flagging violates federal law, and said last week it would be looking at other test companies, including ACT.

Gullette said ACT had been watching the lawsuit developments and was changing its policy to align with the new industry standard.

ACT also develops the LSAT, required for law school admission, and the MCAT to enter medical school. Professional organizations oversee those tests, which currently are flagged.

The Law School Admission Council has determined it's legal to flag scores and will continue to do so for now, said Philip Shelton, president of the council. The Association of American Medical Colleges is now actively reviewing its flagging policy, said spokeswoman Retha Sherrod.

Students are granted extra time after producing documented proof they need it. Ferguson acknowledged the new policy might result in more requests — and some without merit — but said that steps already being taken by ACT will continue "to ensure that only those students with legitimate needs are granted additional time."