Gifted Testing FAQ’s (Sarasota)

Frequently Asked Questions about Gifted Testing (Sarasota)

What do I tell my child?

I suggest telling your child something along these lines:  You are going to do some thinking work with a woman named Tara.  Some of it is going to be easy and some of it is going to be hard.  It’s all about trying your best. It’ll show us how you think the best so your teachers know how to teach you the best. 

How do I prepare my child for it?

You cannot prepare for the work of an IQ test, but you can make sure your child is at their best.  Make sure they’ve had a good night’s sleep, a good breakfast, have not been on screens that morning, are healthy, etc.  You really just want to make sure your child has the best chance of giving their best thinking. 

How long does it take?

I generally block out two hours for the testing. I speak to parents over the phone in the days before the appointment to gather information about your child to ensure I am meeting their individual needs during the appointment. Then when you arrive for the appointment, it is all about your child. We will start our work together and when we are about halfway through, or sooner if needed, I will have them go out to the waiting room and take a break with you.  Bring a snack and some water for your child so they can refresh their mind and body before returning to the work. 

Will it be on a computer?

An IQ test is completely interactive with the psychologist.  The psychologist is asking the questions out loud, repeating and redirecting as needed. Some portions may be iPad based, but the iPad is merely a fancy flipbook that is controlled and monitored by the psychologist each moment of the session. The child is never able to aimlessly click on answers such as on a standardized test or iReady at school. 

My child is a perfectionist. What happens if they shut down when they don’t know an answer?

This is one of the questions I will ask about your child when we talk prior to the appointment.  If they tend towards perfectionism, I will be sure to provide a more in depth explanation of how some of the items are difficult and I do not expect them to know all of the answers.  This work is all about trying their best and best guesses will be needed. I provide extra encouragement when we are at the “harder” items. If a break is needed, we will take a break!

What does it entail?

There will be many different sections all requiring the child to think in different ways. Some will be verbal, some will be visual and some will require manipulatives.  Some items will be easy and others will be harder.  The child will work on a section until the items get too difficult for them.  Then we move on to the next section. It is all interactive and the psychologist is there actively with the child each moment. 

When will I get the results?

When the child is there for the appointment, I make it all about them.  I do not ask the parent many questions and I do not provide results. After your appointment, I will score the assessment, interpret the results and generally give you a call within 1-2 business days to discuss the results over the phone. I generally have the written report to you within one week. When there is a pressing deadline to meet, I do everything in my power to get you what you need when you need it.

What does my child need to pass? What if they don’t pass?

It is a common misconception that there is a “pass” or “fail” on an IQ test.  An IQ test measures one’s intellectual ability.  There is no pass or fail for one’s intelligence level!  However, the score may or may not meet the eligibility requirement for the gifted program. Gifted programs generally require an IQ of 130 which is two standard deviations above the mean.  This means only 2% of people will qualify for gifted programs. Sarasota County has more options for eligibility. I am very familiar with the options they accept and will always complete all of the subtests needed to get any scores that could be considered for eligibility. I will review the results and make recommendations for which score should be considered. 

If the child’s scores do not meet eligibility requirements, I will make recommendations.  In many cases, if the circumstances of the testing were ideal, we will discuss that the child’s intellectual ability does not meet the criteria for gifted programs. Many children are of above average intelligence yet do not fall within the “gifted” range. There are other options for children in this range.  We can discuss!  If there were circumstances during the testing that indicate I was not able to record the child’s absolute best ability, then I may recommend reevaluating with another IQ test or the same one in the future. 

How is it scored?

Each section starts off based on the child’s chronological age.  Then, we keep going until the items become too difficult.  The amount of points the child earned before reaching that limit is compared to other people the same age, down to a couple month span (e.g. 6 years 2 months). The sections are grouped into different areas of intellectual ability and then the overall IQ.  Scores are always where a person falls as compared to the rest of the population. 

When is the best time to do it?

As explained in the scoring answer, the child’s performance is always compared to others the same age, down to a couple month span. So there is no advantage at any specific age. The child is always being compared to others the same age, no matter what age they are at the time.  My recommendation for the “best” time to complete it is do it when you’ll need it to start making decisions about your child’s education. I can evaluate as young as 2 ½ years old.

How long are the results good for?

If you asked just me, I’d say forever!  Given ideal assessment circumstances, one’s IQ should not vary more than a few points. Sarasota County Schools will accept an IQ test for 3 years from the date of testing if the child was age 7 or over on the day of testing. They will accept it for one year from the date of testing if the child was under 7 years old on the day of testing. Once you submit a report to the school system and the child is subsequently enrolled in a gifted program, as long as they stay actively in the program, testing will not need to be repeated at any point.