Gifted Assessments
Bluebird Psychology is highly experienced in conducting gifted assessments for Westmount Charter School, the CBE GATE Program, or for enrichment in your child’s current school. We help identify and nurture the unique talents and abilities of gifted children and adolescents to help them reach their full potential.
What Is Giftedness?
Intellectually gifted individuals have above-average intelligence and may excel in academic subjects like mathematics, science, literature, or humanities. They may also have the capacity to learn quickly, solve complex problems, and think critically. Alberta Education defines giftedness as “exceptional potential and/or performance across a wide range of abilities in one or more areas.”
Giftedness typically refers to an intellectual ability (also known as an IQ) that is at least 130. Approximately 2% of the population have an IQ over 130. Westmount Charter School currently accepts giftedness with a score of at least 125 (Please see their website for more information).
Signs Your Child May 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. There are a number of things that you may have observed that indicate your child may be a gifted learner. 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
How Giftedness Is Tested
Giftedness testing involves a one-on-one assessment to identify whether an individual has exceptional cognitive abilities.
Tests like the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) are standardized IQ tests used with children, while the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) is used for adults. High scores on these tests are used to indicate above-average intellectual abilities.
Application Requirements For Westmount Charter School
Westmount requires cognitive testing (also known as IQ testing) with an IQ or General Ability Index score of at least 125.
An 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.
The application deadline this year is November 29th. It is recommended that you have testing done anytime between August and November.
The fee for a gifted assessment for Westmount Charter School is $1,100. However, depending on the results of the assessment, you may opt out of a written report and pay a reduced fee of $660.
See below for more information and FAQS.
New for 2025/2026 Kindergarten to Grade 4 Applications!
Westmount Charter School has announced a new initiative that considers scores from the Verbal Expanded Crystallized Index (VECI) and Expanded General Ability Index (EGAI). These scores are optional. There is no additional fee to have these additional subtests administered. Please note that these scores are only available for children ages 6+ who are doing the WISC-V. Click here to read more about Westmount’s new criteria.
Application Requirements for the CBE GATE Program .
The CBE GATE Program requires cognitive testing with an IQ or General Ability Index score of at least 130. Applications also currently require an additional testing session that measures your child’s academic skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and oral language.
Applications for the GATE Program 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.
The fee for a gifted assessment for the CBE GATE Program is $1,760. This includes both cognitive testing and academic testing. However, depending on the results of cognitive testing, you may choose to opt out of academic testing and a written report and pay a reduced fee of $660.
See below for more information and FAQ’s.
What happens during a gifted assessment?
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
FAQs About Gifted Assessments
How long is the appointment?
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 testing and the feedback meeting.
Academic testing appointments are also scheduled for three hours.
What does a gifted assessment measure?
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
How do I prepare my child for the assessment?
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, a good sleep, have taken any medication they need, and are wearing any required glasses or hearing aids.
Children are also welcome to bring snacks and water to enjoy during breaks in testing.
If my child is gifted, when will I receive the report?
Parents are guaranteed to receive the report 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 application.
What is a "2e" or Twice Exceptional Learner?
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.
I have a valid IQ assessment and only require academic testing, how much does this cost?
An academic-only assessment costs $1,100. 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.
Do you have more questions?
Email us at contact@bluebirdpsychology.ca!
