Is My Child Gifted? Should They Have an IQ Assessment?

“My child learns incredibly fast… but gets bored easily.” “My child asks endless questions that even adults struggle to answer.” “My child is doing well in school, but the teacher says they need more challenge.” “I’m thinking about applying to a gifted program. Do we need an IQ test?” If any of these sound familiar, an IQ assessment may help you better understand your child’s unique learning profile. At Genesis Health Clinic in Calgary, we provide professional cognitive assessments using the internationally recognized WISC-V and WPPSI-IV, administered by registered psychologists in a supportive, child-friendly environment.

Josephine Chen

July 31, 2026

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3 min read

Signs Your Child May Benefit from an IQ Assessment

Every child develops differently, but an assessment may beworth considering if your child:

Asks unusually deep or complex questions
Learns new concepts much faster than peers
Reads significantly above grade level
Has an exceptional memory
Shows intense curiosity about specific subjects
Finishes schoolwork quickly and becomes bored
Enjoys solving puzzles and challenging problems
Thinks creatively and makes unexpected connections
Appears under-stimulated in the classroom
Has been recommended for assessment by a teacher

Interestingly, not all gifted children earn perfect grades.

Some become bored, distracted, anxious, or disengagedbecause the classroom pace does not match their learning needs.

Others may have both giftedness and learning challenges, making formal assessment especially valuable.

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IQ Assessments for Calgary School Applications

For many Calgary families, an IQ assessment is also an important part of planning educational opportunities.

‍Westmount Charter School

Westmount Charter School is Alberta’s only K–12 public charter school specifically designed for intellectually gifted learners.

As part of its admissions process, applicants are generally required to submit an individually administered intelligence assessment. The school considers students who demonstrate gifted-level cognitive ability, typically with a Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and/or General Ability Index(GAI) at or above approximately the 98th percentile (around a standard score of130, ±5) as one component of admission criteria.

Because assessment appointments can fill quickly, many families choose to complete testing several months before application deadlines.

CBE Gifted and Alternative Programs

Families applying for Calgary Board of Education (CBE)alternative or lottery-based programs should also pay close attention to annual registration timelines. While CBE gifted-related opportunities and alternative programs have different admission requirements than Westmount, registration deadlines typically occur early in the calendar year and missing them may delay entry by an entire school year.

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Suggested Planning Timeline

Although exact dates may change each year, many Calgary families find the following timeline helpful:

September – November

Discuss concerns with teachers.
Research educational options.
Book an IQ assessment if considering gifted programming.

November – January

Complete psychological assessment.
Receive written report.
Review recommendations with our psychologist.

January – February

Submit school registrations and lottery applications according to each school’s published deadlines.
Prepare any required supporting documentation.

Starting early reduces stress and provides enough time to make informed educational decisions

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Every Child Has Unique Potential

An IQ assessment is not simply about obtaining a score.

It is about understanding how your child thinks, learns, solves problems, and reaches their full potential.

Whether you’re preparing for school applications, wondering if your child may be gifted, or simply hoping to better support their learning journey, we’re here to help.

Book an IQ Assessment today and gain valuable insights into your child’s future learning success.

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Josephine Chen

Co-founder of Genesis Health Clinic