<p>My son was tested in HS when they were testing him for learning disabilities. He tested at the 132 + range and the psychologist told us she wondered why she was testing someone with a higher IQ than she had. He even pointed out that one part of a test they had him do had the wrong answers (and he was right. Then they got to the writing part of the test and she saw why. (his teachers always said if they tested him orally he could ace a test, written test he’d fail).</p>
<p>Even after that, he never really got any help with his learning problems and school was a miserable time for him. Being tested probably helped him because he finally realized he wasn’t stupid, which is how he always felt at school.</p>
<p>I was told by some doctors that based on a standardized exam I took that I had at least a 125 IQ but I was never truly tested. And it was an informal discussion were the topic came up so so the only credence it has it that the guys were experts on this stuff.</p>
<p>Both of my kids are gifted but in different ways. I never saw the value in testing. I still don’t. So what if your IQ is very high? You can still be a complete failure in life. And a person with a mediocre IQ can be a tremendous success.</p>
<p>Both sons had the WPPSI-R test administered by the school psychologist at age 5. They both scored very high and were able to qualify for the Gifted program offered by our school system. Both graduated from high school with about 2 years worth of college credits which translated not into graduating earlier but in starting and finishing at a higher level of classes. The scores were within 1 point of each other but the subtests were very different reflecting, as time has shown, two very different individuals. They always scored in the 95-99%ile of standardized tests throughout their school years with the oldest one’s scores in the PSAT-SAT-ACT more in line with his original test score. Middle and High Schools used the tests (specially the PSAT since 9th grade) as diagnostic tools for placement into the more advanced classes. Neither me nor my wife have ever been tested. They always went to public schools.</p>
<p>Sure. Having a high IQ doesn’t eliminate problems, it merely substitutes one set of problems for another. It’s widely known that there is an “optimal” IQ range, 120-140. Beyond that, seeing the world in a different way can often cause more problems than the edge gained by being able to process information more quickly.</p>
<p>The most useful purpose of an IQ test to be able to use it as leverage when trying to get special educational accommodations for those kids who need it in K-12.</p>
<p>I was tested somehow in elementary school to get into the gifted program… not sure if it was specifically an IQ test.</p>
<p>Then, as part of the pre-employment process at my current job I took the Wonderlic test. Then I had to have a discussion with a psychologist and that was ending without telling me my score, so I asked. They asked me what I knew about the test, and I told them I just knew it was the test the football players take before the draft, so I wanted to get my score to compare, lol.</p>
<p>The Wonderlic put me in the top couple percent of the population, which probably matches various other standardized tests that I’d taken over the years (very very good in terms of the entire population, but definitely not the top .1% or anything like that)</p>
<p>I am hoping jym will comment on this. I’m thinking about the study by Lewis terman that says they are well adjusted. Is high iq and quirkiness just a stereotype?</p>
<p>Both of my kids were tested privately using the WISC-III and SB-LM. It was helpful in figuring out what degree of differentiation was needed and in identifying areas of struggle. One of my kids had a 42-point (nearly three deviations) spread between the Verbal and Performance scores on the WISC – but the school refused to evaluate further for LDs. Both hit many ceilings on the WISC.</p>
<p>Both took the Raven at their school in second grade for GT identification, and then admissions exams (similar to the PSAT) for middle and high school magnet programs.</p>
<p>I ceilinged a group test in HS, but I’m guessing I also was tested in kindergarten since two different elem schools wanted to accelerate me. DH was tested at some point as a kid and had a very high score – he is scary brilliant.</p>
<p>One of my kids knows his score, which I only recently shared when it seemed an appropriate thing to do. The other one doesn’t know, but he knows enough about standard deviations to have a fair estimate.</p>
<p>Emerald Kitty - In the UK identifying gifted children is usually left to the individual school. They used to use a test called MIDYIS and anywhere from the top10% can be classed as gifted.
But and this is a big but, they can also ignore all results and choose who they think should be involved, or some schools have no gifted provision.
In my D’s case, we got a letter saying how well she had done on the test, we then rang the school to see what would happen next and were told she could pick up the certificate when she left school!
In our case our D knows her IQ but does not like to tell people, she works hard at being a normal student.</p>
<p>I am not aware of all european countries but the couple ones I lived they did not have gifted programs and summer camps the way they have them here. My experience was that the “gifted” were just expected to do well in school and that is that.
Or hope somehow they will make it in college and then “shine” there.
On the other hand the school curriculum was a lot harder, sometimes unreasonably hard for the average student. In my recollection most of the complains were from parents of the average and below average student. No support in school and no services.
Very different cultures though, so it is hard to compare.</p>
<p>DS’ HS entrance exam included an IQ evaluation because we received a reported score, though this testing wasn’t likely comprehensive. DS’ LD-related testing including the full IQ evaluation, which actually contains several components, and several distinct scores. DS’ HS score was quite high; his LD evaluation scores ranged more widely, leading me to believe that there could actually be quite a swing in scores, depending on test, situation, and evaluator.</p>
<p>@limabeans, this is very anecdotal but in my first post in here I said I had two very different kids that have never been tested.</p>
<p>They are both brilliant in very different ways. </p>
<p>My D is highly intelligent. She always tests in the top 1-2 percent of any standardized exam and often without study or major preparation.</p>
<p>My S scores around the 50 percent level on most standardized exams.</p>
<p>I never got them tested. Never wanted to. I see my D as highly intelligent and very well socially adjusted. Her high level of social skills usually means that her leadership of various organizations and groups depresses her grades (only a little). She gets the occasional B when she is heavily involved in various ECs. She got a B in AP Calc BC but a 5 on the test with no studying.</p>
<p>My S on the other hand is very quirky but shows evidence of maybe being an art prodigy. That said, he will get an occasional D in an art class then we will find dozens of amazing pieces in the basement and ask him if he did any for class. He always says no much to our chagrin. We see his intelligence but get little objective feedback of that from conventional measures. He is thriving at an art school but even there he continues to produce dozens of amazing works that his professors never see.</p>
<p>Both of our daughters were tested, but I don’t really remember the IQ. All I know is that they qualified for the gifted program. In some ways I wish I had the number written down somewhere, but what does it really matter?</p>
<p>Someone upthread said they like knowing the number because it is usually within 8 points of the parents, so it makes us look good. I maintain that it was all the seafood I ate while pregnant. Somewhere I read that eating seafood contributes to high intelligence. I don’t know if it is true, but it worked for me!</p>