From a young age, you’ve likely observed their special abilities and noticed their superior grades in school.

But it’s not just parents who recognize a child’s intelligence—children themselves are aware of their own capabilities. Whether it’s their rapid learning or exceptional performance, children can sense their own intelligence.

So how gifted is the child? The National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) defines giftedness as students who perform—or have the potential to perform—at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment across various domains.”

But there are different levels of giftedness.

Doctor Deborah Ruf, who has a doctorate in Tests and Measurement and is an acknowledged expert on levels of giftedness, has described giftedness as being divided into five levels:

Level One Gifted: Moderately Gifted

• IQ scores of about 117 to 129
• Start kindergarten with end-of-year skills already mastered

Level Two Gifted: Highly Gifted

• IQ scores of about 125–135
• Master most kindergarten skills one to two years before kindergarten (by age 4)

Level Three Gifted: Highly to Exceptionally Gifted

• IQ scores of about 130 to 140
• Master majority of kindergarten skills by age 3 or 4
• Question Santa or Tooth Fairy by age 3 to 5
• Most spontaneously read with or without previous instruction before kindergarten
• Most read simple chapter books by age 5–6
• Most intuitively use numbers for all operations before kindergarten

Level Four Gifted: Exceptionally to Profoundly Gifted

• Full-scale IQ scores of about 135 to 141+
• Majority of kindergarten skills by age 3
• Question such concepts as Santa or Tooth Fairy by age 3 to 4
• Majority at 2nd-3rd grade equivalency in academic subjects by early kindergarten
• Majority at upper high school grade equivalencies by 4th-5th grades
• Show concern for existential topics and life’s purpose by early elementary school age

Level Five Gifted: Exceptionally to Profoundly Gifted

• Full scale and domain scores at 145+ (slightly lower if tested after mid-teenage years)
• High intellectual profile across all ability domains, great inner drive to learn across domains (although not necessarily demonstrated in the regular classroom)
• Majority have kindergarten skills by about 2½ years or sooner
• Question concept of Santa or Tooth Fairy by age 2 to 3
• Majority spontaneously read, understand fairly complex math, have existential concerns by age 4–5 with or without any instruction
• Majority have high school level grade equivalencies by age 7 or 8 years old, mostly through their own reading and question-asking.

How to Know Your Child’s IQ

IQ tests start being reliable for children between the ages of 6 and 9. Testing before a child is enrolled in school may not provide reliable results. Typically, schools give group IQ tests about three times during your child’s schooling which should give you a good picture of his or her IQ. Do remember that on any given day, a test result may not be accurate for such reasons as illness, lack of effort, or unclear instructions.

Why Have Your Child Tested for Giftedness?

Knowing a child’s level of giftedness can help parents and educators fully develop the child’s abilities. Most parents have their children tested to advocate for their inclusion in a gifted program at a school. Private testing can be expensive and before you select a tester, make sure it is one whose results the school will accept.