What Is the Minimum IQ for Gifted Programs?

Bluebird Psychology offers gifted assessments for various educational programming options, including GATE and Westmount. But when it comes to identifying gifted children, one of the most frequently asked questions we get from parents is “what is the minimum IQ for giftedness"? Having this cutoff score helps clarify how schools and specialized programs determine eligibility. In Calgary, this cutoff score can be a little confusing for parents because the answer is, “it depends.” Read below to learn more about what IQ scores are and what the minimum IQ score for giftedness is, depending on your program of interest.

First, Understanding IQ Scores and the “Norm”

A Full Scale Intelligence Quotient, or IQ score, is a standardized score that is made up from someone’s performance on a variety of tasks. These tasks include different ways we reason through information as well as how quickly we process information (i.e., our processing speed) and how well we remember short-term information (i.e., our working memory). The average IQ score is generally between 90 and 110. The majority of the population has an IQ between 85 and 115.

Typical Minimum IQ Scores for Gifted Programs

Giftedness is typically considered when someone has an IQ of at least 130. This means that their IQ falls significantly above the average, ranking in the top 2% of the population.

In Alberta, someone with an IQ of at least 130 is entitled to receive accommodations and individual support. Under the regulations of Alberta, any student with an IQ of at least 130 is “coded” as being gifted. The school they are attending is then required to provide them with some type of individualized support. The kind of support will vary by classroom, school, and school board.

In Calgary, the CBE GATE Program similarly accepts applications from students with a minimum IQ of 130. They also accept something called a General Ability Index (GAI) of at least 130. The GAI score is made up only of the reasoning tasks on an IQ test.

Now, this is where is sometimes gets confusing! While 130 is generally accepted as the cut-off for giftedness, Westmount Charter School accepts an IQ or GAI score of at least 125.

Outside of Calgary and the province, exact cutoffs can vary by district, organization, or country.

Do All Gifted Programs Require an IQ Test?

Not always. While IQ testing is a common method for identifying gifted students, some schools and private programs use a combination of standardized achievement tests, teacher observations and recommendations, as well as classroom and academic performance.

However, if you are interested in accessing specialized programs or support in Calgary, a gifted IQ test will be required. .

Why Does the Minimum IQ Matter?

This is a question we sometimes get from parents who have observed that their child is smart and achieving well academically, but who don’t meet that 130 cutoff. While basing giftedness cutoffs on a set score can leave students out, setting a minimum helps ensure that the students in a gifted program are placed in an environment that matches their intellectual needs. It also prevents those programs from under-challenging high-ability students, promotes learning among peers with similar abilities, and supports some of the challenges that gifted learners often experience (i.e., many are 2e learners - those who are gifted and have other learning needs such as a learning disorder, behavioural concerns, or emotional needs). It also prevents those who do not meet gifted requirements from being overwhelmed by a level of challenge that is too high for them.

It is important to remember that IQ is only one part of a child. IQ testing doesn’t measure things like emotional intelligence, creativity, motivation, or social skills. These are all valuable traits that make up someone’s skillset and capability.

Our Final Thoughts

If you’ve read this far and are interested in having a formal evaluation for giftedness done, you’re in the right spot! Bluebird Psychology is highly experienced in giftedness and assessments. You can learn more about our gifted assessments here.

You can also contact us or schedule your assessment online, here.