Gifted Assessments in Calgary, AB

Book a Free 15-Minute Consult Call
Book Your Assessment

At Bluebird Psychology, our psychologists are highly experienced in gifted assessments and IQ testing for Westmount Charter School, the CBE GATE Program, or for enrichment in your child’s current school. Below, you’ll find information on what giftedness is, the signs your child may be gifted, application requirements for Westmount Charter School and the CBE GATE Program, and what you can expect during the gifted testing process.

First, What is Giftedness?

In Alberta, an IQ of at least 130 is considered “gifted.” This means that someone has intellectual abilities that are in the top 2% of their age group. Some schools may classify giftedness according to different criteria. For example, Westmount Charter School accepts giftedness with an IQ of at least 125. Alberta Education defines giftedness as “exceptional potential and/or performance across a wide range of abilities in one or more areas.”

A colorful children's reading and activity corner with a white table and bench, stuffed animals, children's books, a polka-dotted red stool, wall decorations including framed artwork, a rainbow bunting, and indoor plants.

(Our playroom, located in our waiting room)

IQ Testing Calgary

Signs Your Child Might Be Gifted

Maybe you’ve noticed your child is outperforming their peers in their developmental milestones. Or, maybe you’ve noticed that they are excelling academically and starting to complain about boredom at school. Here are some of the common signs of giftedness in children:

  • They have an advanced vocabulary for their age

  • They demonstrate a desire for perfection

  • They are able to learn new things quickly and without a lot of repetition

  • They have a high level of curiosity

  • There are able to retain a variety of information

  • They think abstractly, logically, or creatively

  • They have a preference for being around older children or adults

  • Learn more about the benefits of a gifted assessment for your child here

What is an IQ/Gifted Assessment?

An IQ test is a standardized assessment that measures someone’s cognitive abilities. In Calgary, the Wechsler assessment, like the WPPSI-IV and the WISC-V, are the most common.

These standardized tests are administered and scored in a consistent, predetermined way for all test-takers. It features the same questions and format for everyone and is given under the same conditions (for example, in one-on-one environment, with the same instructions, and the same time limits). It is also scored according to set rules. This allows someone’s score to be compared to those of other, same-age peers. This is important for IQ testing because if we want to measure how well someone reasons and processes information, we need a way to measure these skills against set guidelines.

The Assessment Process

At Bluebird Psychology, our assessment process is simple to make it easy for families.

All appointments begin with a parent intake meeting where we review your child’s background and learning history.

Testing is done following this meeting and is done one-on-one with the child and psychologist, which prevents distractions and allows the assessment to proceed according to standardization. IQ testing usually takes around an hour and a half, but can vary.

Once testing is done, everything is scored, and the psychologist reviews the results with you. If you want to proceed with obtaining a report, your psychologist will write up the detailed results, along with some recommendations for you and the school on how to support your child’s unique learning profile.

Application Requirements For Gifted Programs

Cognitive Testing in Calgary

Application Requirements For Westmount Charter School

Westmount Charter School assessments are completed at our SE Calgary office. We provide the formal IQ testing Westmount requires (Westmount currently accepts an IQ or General Ability Index score of at least 125 to determine giftedness), with reports accepted directly by the school.

A gifted assessment for Westmount Charter School can be completed over one full session, or split over two half sessions. Sometimes younger children, such as those completing the assessment for kindergarten admissions, benefit from breaking up the assessment into shorter sessions.

For more information about admission requirements and the application process for Westmount Charter School, click here.

Fee -$1,200*

*Depending on the results of the assessment, you may opt out of a written report and pay a reduced fee of $720.

CBE GATE Gifted Program Testing

Application Requirements for the CBE GATE Program

The GATE Program requires cognitive testing with an IQ or General Ability Index score of at least 130.

The CBE GATE Program also currently require an additional testing session that measures your child’s academic skills.

Applications are currently done internally through your child’s CBE school. Please ensure you have discussed the application process, application requirements, and deadlines with your child’s school prior to booking an assessment.

For more information about the GATE Program, click here.

Fee -$1,920*

*Depending on the results of the assessment, you may opt out of academic testing and a written report and pay a reduced fee of $720.

What Happens During a Gifted Assessment Appointment?

  • White star icon on a black background.

    Step 1. Parent Meeting

    The appointment starts with a parent meeting to discuss your child’s medical, social, and learning history. Your child is also welcome attend this meeting so that they can share information about their learning strengths and interests.

  • A simple white pencil icon on a black background.

    Step 2. IQ Testing

    Immediately following the parent meeting, IQ testing is completed with your child. Activities in the assessment involve a number of different “brain games” that many children find enjoyable. Testing can be done over one or two sessions.

  • black outline of a cloud shape on white background

    Step 3. Results Meeting

    Parents are then welcomed back into the office to review results and decide whether to move forward with a report (if applying to Westmount) or with scheduling an academic testing session (if applying to GATE).

  • icon of a to-do list with checkboxes

    Step 4. Academic Testing

    If you are applying to the CBE GATE Program, this second testing session will measure your child’s academic abilities. Academic skills are measured in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, and oral language.

  • Sun icon with rays

    Step 5. Written Report

    You will receive a written report with recommendations on how you and your child’s school can best support their learning. This report can also be used as part of your child’s application to the GATE program or Westmount.

Child psychologist playroom in Calgar

Why Choose Bluebird Psychology for Your Gifted Assessment?

Families choose our clinic for:

  • Our specialized expertise and experience in IQ Testing

  • Our child-friendly office that is complete with a playroom where your child can enjoy playing with toys, flexing their creativity at our art station, or spending some time in our cozy reading nook.

  • Our flexible scheduling that allows you to choose whether you complete testing over one or two sessions.

  • Our warm, compassionate and patient psychologists who love working with children and their families!

 FAQs

  • If you are booking a full gifted assessment, the appointment will take approximately three hours. This includes the intake meeting, testing, and feedback. Alternatively, you may choose to complete the assessment over two half sessions. The first session would include the intake meeting and half of the testing. The second session would include the remainder of the testing and the feedback meeting.

    Academic testing appointments are also scheduled for three hours.

  • Gifted testing involves the use of standardized measures such as the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V), depending on your child’s age. Both of these measure IQ.

    For children under the age of 4, they also measure:

    • verbal comprehension

    • visual-spatial reasoning

    • and working memory

    For children over the age of 4, they measure:

    • verbal comprehension

    • visual-spatial reasoning

    • fluid reasoning

    • working memory

    • and processing speed

  • Many parents find it helpful to tell their child ahead of time that they will be doing a number of different “brain games” or “puzzles”.

    On the day of testing, make sure your child has had a healthy meal beforehand, has had a good sleep, has taken any medication they need, and is wearing any required glasses or hearing aids. Children are also welcome to bring snacks and water to enjoy during breaks in testing.

    We also have a playroom that children can enjoy before or after their appointment. Our child-friendly office helps children feel more at ease before testing begins.

  • We aim to have reports to parents within two weeks of the testing date. For those parents who have booked an appointment that falls within two weeks of the Westmount Charter School application deadline, rest assured that Bluebird Psychology will provide you with the report in time for the application.

  • We recommend waiting until a child is at least 3 years old.

  • Gifted children and teens can experience academic difficulties, including learning disorders, or social and behavioural challenges, emotional difficulties, and other learning needs. These children are often referred to as "Twice Exceptional Learners," or "2e Learners."

    If you suspect that your child is gifted, but is demonstrating some of the complexities that being gifted can bring, a full psychoeducational assessment may be more appropriate. A psychoeducational assessment includes cognitive testing and can determine whether your child is a gifted learner. It also measures academic abilities and can explore emotional or behavioural concerns and ADHD.

    Parents may also choose to start with a gifted assessment and pursue further assessment later on.

  • An academic-only assessment costs $1,200. If you currently have a valid cognitive assessment and require additional WIAT-III testing, please book the “Academic Testing” session in the online booking portal.

  • Westmount Charter School and the CBE Gate Program both require cognitive testing. The only difference between the two programs is that GATE also requires an academic test. This is a second, separate appointment that measures your child’s reading, writing and math skills.

  • Yes! You may choose to share the report with Westmount Charter School and the CBE Gate Program. The report can also be provided to your child’s current (or future) school to access additional enrichment opportunities. Children who are gifted are entitled to additional school support under Alberta Education’s guidelines. Children who are gifted are “coded” and put on something called an Individualized Program Plan or IPP (your school may refer to it as something different). This IPP formalizes their support and may include more challenging academics, special projects, or other unique learning opportunities to meet their needs.

  • You can book online using this link.

    You can also email our office at office@bluebirdpsychology.ca

    Or leave us a message at (587) 288-6884

  • Westmount Charter School assessments are available at Bluebird Psychology's Calgary SE office (Suite 277, 200 Rivercrest Drive SE). Our psychologists provide the IQ and testing Westmount requires, and our reports are accepted directly by the school. We also offer the assessment for the CBE GATE program at the same location.

Have questions?

We’re here to help!

Email us: office@bluebirdpsychology.ca
Call us: (587) 288-6884

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with one of our psychologists here.

We are located at 277, 200 Rivercrest Dr. SE in Calgary, AB