This post will go over several points. - 1. Using an IQ test for determining giftedness/schools using only IQ tests for giftedness eligibility. - 2. The claim that IQ or cognitive tests are raw ability. - 3. Multiple pieces of evidence for gifted behaviors. - 4. Other types of giftedness that this subreddit seems to ignore.

Alright, first thing is first. I admit that at one time in this subreddit I talked about my 123test.com results. I decided that I don't care about that or the weschler. That's irrelevant.

Let's jump in to the first point. The first thing I want to talk about is using only IQ tests for determining giftedness. The idea of the (main type) of giftedness (the most common term), is an IQ over 130. Okay cool, you were able to score well on the Weschler test. That doesn't translate to having many of the other signs of intellectual giftedness just because you scored well in one test. Sure, you can argue that the Weschler has a high g and it's comprehensive, but it's like saying that because you did well on one test, that means you passed the whole class and know everything. Scoring high on an IQ test doesn't automatically mean you're gifted. Giftedness comes with many signs and an IQ test doesn't properly assess that. I would be very reluctant to personally call someone gifted based on one IQ test as a point of data. I already know many are going to say the signs are based on people that have high IQ scores, but this doesn't necessarily mean that because you score a 130 that you have a lot of signs and traits of giftedness. These signs and traits are the main thing that causes us to excel in areas and have problems such as social isolation, not a score.

That being said, an IQ test is a useful piece of data, but it should not automatically qualify someone as gifted. If you think that one point of data means a person is gifted, that's interesting.

The same thing can be said for people that don't score high on IQ tests. There are some people that have many signs of intellectual giftedness that may not perform well for various reasons or maybe they have other signs and excel in other areas, maybe there's many points of data besides an IQ test that points them to being intellectually gifted.

For these reasons, schools that only place kids in the gifted program just based on IQ in my opinion are failing them. They may not relate to people that actually have a lot of signs of giftedness, as all they did was score high on one test. Conversely, people such as 2e or just other kids that were never identified because they scored too low.

Next point, IQ and cognitive tests are totally trainable. I was able to figure out nonverbal puzzles very quickly as well as being able to work with 7 -8 digits to 8-10 digits in working memory (although long term memory wise I know huge amounts of digits of pi and can memorize other constants numbers very quickly). Things like the CogAT (which isn't an IQ test yet Mensa and basically every schools accept it just like an IQ test) have practice books. So does the NNAT and other IQ tests they use in school. And let's be honest, all these cognitive testing reddit people that get 150s on their WAIS have practiced shit for years, grinding until they get perfect results. Do you really think so many of these people are getting 99.94th percentile (150 I believe) without some sort of practice when there's really no reason to get tested in the first place besides Mensa? No. It's reddit anyways. At most, they got 120s. Schools will usually allow your children to retake the test a year later. This is probably due to memory of the test, but regardless, some skills can be gained due to this.

I think we should have a multiple criteria for giftedness. Giftedness behaviors rating scale is very underrated and it's much better than just an IQ test. Yes, it's more subjective, but so is our subjective interpretation of IQ scores anyways. Achievement tests (can be practiced just like IQ tests!) Are important pieces of evidence and probably more so than IQ scores. Achievement tests signify an academic need for enrichment, without it, there can be massive consequences, I don't think it's fair to say IQ tests are the same way, maybe socially? But that's not as significant. Teacher observations and portfolios are also very important. I already know this post is going to be downvoted because many people just want to think their 1 WAIS or WISC score means they're gifted. Lol. Good, I don't care.

Speaking of this subreddit, why do we seem to acknowledge only intellectual giftedness (and only talking about intellectual giftedness due to 1 IQ score result?). There are people that have creative, academic, motor, and other types of giftedness. They should be welcomed here. I would hate to see posts that say they aren't gifted just because they scored a 120 but have a lot of the traits of intellectual giftedness, as well as people that have done amazing things with their giftedness in other domains. There isn't just one type of giftedness. So, I just want to say that people that are creatively or academically gifted (or intellectually gifted people that scored less than a 130) that are here, I know your struggles. It's a shame a lot of people won't accept your giftedness and you're disadvantaged by the big education system.

One more thing. I'm not saying that IQ tests are invalid or are not credible. And I'm not attacking intellectually gifted people. If you have an IQ of 130 and have struggles of gifted people, as well as some other data, you are gifted.