Gifted Evaluations
Gifted Evaluations & IQ Testing in Pinellas County
A private gifted evaluation measures your child's cognitive ability with a standardized IQ test to determine whether they qualify for Florida's gifted programs. Testing takes roughly 1 to 2 hours, is completed by a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and produces a report accepted by Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Manatee County schools.
Does my child qualify for gifted in Florida?
Florida generally requires a full-scale IQ around 130 — two standard deviations above the mean of 100 — along with evidence of need and characteristics of giftedness. A qualifying evaluation documents that score and the cognitive strengths that support a gifted placement.
Every Florida district, including Pinellas County Schools, follows the state's gifted rule (FLDOE Rule 6A-6.03019). A qualifying evaluation documents your child's full-scale IQ along with the cognitive strengths and characteristics that support a gifted placement. I write each report specifically to meet these district eligibility requirements, so your school's gifted team has exactly what it needs to make a decision.
What tests are used in a gifted evaluation?
Gifted evaluations use standardized, nationally recognized cognitive tests: the WISC-V for ages 6 to 16, or the RIAS-2, which also covers younger children. I select the right instrument for your child's age and needs and provide complete, school-ready documentation of the results.
These instruments produce a full-scale IQ along with index scores for areas such as verbal comprehension, visual-spatial reasoning, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. That detail does more than confirm eligibility — it shows you how your child thinks and learns.
Skip the school district waitlist
A private gifted evaluation is typically scheduled within 1 to 2 weeks, compared with the up-to-90-school-day timeline many districts follow. You receive an independent, comprehensive report you own and can submit to your child's school, a private school, or a homeschool program.
Many families come to me because the school waitlist is long, because they want a second opinion, or because they're applying to a private or magnet program with its own deadline. An outside evaluation puts you in control of the timeline.
Signs your child may be gifted
- Early and advanced language, reading, or vocabulary
- Intense curiosity and a drive to understand how things work
- An exceptional memory and quick grasp of new concepts
- Advanced problem-solving and abstract reasoning
- A preference for older companions or adult conversation
- Heightened sensitivity, perfectionism, or boredom with routine work
Giftedness presents differently in every child, and some highly capable children actually underperform in the classroom. An objective evaluation removes the guesswork.
What's included in your gifted evaluation
- A free 15-minute consultation to confirm gifted testing is the right step
- A standardized, one-on-one cognitive assessment in a comfortable setting
- Careful scoring and analysis of your child's full cognitive profile
- A clear written report written to meet Florida district eligibility requirements
- A feedback session to review results and discuss next steps
See gifted evaluation pricing → · How to qualify for gifted in Florida →
FAQ
Gifted Evaluation Questions
A few of the questions I hear most about gifted testing.
Common signs include early language, intense curiosity, a strong memory, advanced problem-solving, and a preference for older companions. Some gifted children are perfectionistic, highly sensitive, or easily bored, and a few actually underperform in school while having exceptional ability. A cognitive evaluation gives a clear, objective picture.
Florida generally requires a full-scale IQ around 130 — two standard deviations above the mean — plus evidence of need and characteristics of giftedness. A qualifying evaluation documents that full-scale IQ along with the cognitive strengths that support a gifted placement.
Gifted evaluations use standardized, nationally recognized cognitive tests: the WISC-V for ages 6 to 16, or the RIAS-2, which also covers younger children. I select the right instrument for your child's age and needs and provide school-ready documentation of the results.
Curious whether your child is gifted?
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to talk through your questions and decide if a gifted evaluation is the right next step.
Free 15-minute consultation · Testing in Pinellas County · Reports accepted by Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco & Manatee schools