Tests & Assessments

Identification policies and procedures are determined at a district level. Districts typically follow a systematic, multi-phased process to identify gifted students who need services beyond the general education program: 1)Nomination/Referral phase; 2) Screening or Selection phase; 3) Placement phase.

Tests are common assessment tools for identification, but should not serve as the sole source for identification of gifted students. ELL, students with disabilities, or students from low-income backgrounds are underrepresented in gifted programs. An identification strategy that includes multiple assessments that are both objective and subjective is the best way to ensure no gifted learner is overlooked. (NAGC, 2017)

It is a local district decision as to what assessment measures are used to identify gifted students. The following is by no means an exhaustive list of assessments on the market, however, some assessments are available for order at no charge by districts that contract with Region 14 for Gifted and Talented support. To order tests through Region 14 see link at bottom of page. Clicking on the link for each test will provide administration instructions.

Subjective Assessments

Standardized tests provide numbers or scores to describe a student's performance in relation to others. However, formal assessments are only one tool in determining giftedness. Tests should be used in conjunction with subjective assessment tools in order to assess the whole child. The following measures are available through Region 14:

Achievement Tests

Achievement tests determine what students already have learned and if they are more advanced than their grade level peers. These tests should not have a ceiling so students are able to show all of what they know. The following online achievement test is available through Region 14:

Ability Tests

IQ or cognitive abilities test scores are often used to identify gifted and talented students. These tests are designed to assess a student's logical reasoning or thinking capabilities. Nonverbal tests are more effective at identifying students from culturally and linguistically different or low-income backgrounds by eliminating barriers. The following online abilities tests are available through Region 14:

Creativity Tests

Although most Region 14 districts do not serve the creatively gifted learner specifically, a creativity test can be one of multiple measures to look for giftedness. The following creativity test and scoring service is available through Region 14:

  • Torrance Test of Creative thinking (TTCT)