The label of ‘gifted’ is assigned once a psychologist – or another person who is qualified to administer and interpret IQ tests – has evaluated a child with an intelligence test, most commonly one the Wechsler tests (WPPSI, WISC, or WAIS). IQ scores for our population fall along a bell-shaped curve, meaning that 50% of the population scores around the average (IQ scores of 90-109), and as the curve drops on either end, the percentage of people scoring in that range gets smaller and smaller.
Deborah Ruf, Ph.D. has spent her career focused on that small area at the far right end, or tail, of the curve; the individuals that make up the most intellectually gifted of our society. One might think that the individuals who score in this area are more similar than not, but through her research, Dr. Ruf has discovered and defined five distinctively different levels of giftedness. The differences between the levels are quite striking and have significant implications for a child’s home and school life. A description of each of Dr. Ruf’s levels follows.
Five Levels of Giftedness: The Scores & a Summary of What They Mean*
Level One: Moderately Gifted to Gifted
- IQ scores of 120-129 represent the 90th-98th percentiles
- what most of us think of as bright
- make up a large proportion of students in gifted programs
- like being read to before age one
- can do simple addition and subtraction before age four
- reading 2-3 years beyond grade level by age seven
- parents realize children are not being challenged and contact someone for help between grades two and four
Level Two: Highly Gifted
- IQ scores of 130-135 represent approximately 98th – 99th percentiles
- can pay attention while being read to by five to nine months
- can count to 5 (or higher) by age two
- know many sight words and maybe reading by age four
- master most kindergarten skills by age four
- are independent on the computer by age four and a half
- are impatient with the repetition and slow pace of school by age six to seven
Level Three: Exceptionally Gifted
- IQ scores of 136-140 represent approximately 98th – 99th percentiles
- independently look at and turn pages of books before ten months
- question Santa or the tooth fairy by age three or four
- rarely go through any stage of phonetically sounding out words
- intense interest in mazes between ages four and five
- spontaneously read (with or without instruction) before kindergarten
- read 2-5 years beyond grade level by age six
Level Four: Exceptionally to Profoundly Gifted
- IQ scores of 141+ represent the 99th percentile
- books are a favorite interest by three to four months
- knows the entire alphabet by fifteen to twenty-two months
- at four or five years can perform many academic and intellectual functions of an eight-year-old
- reading for pleasure and information by age five
- can play adult level card games and board games by age five and a half
- most are capable of completing all academic work through 8th grade by 3rd or 4th grade
- these are the kids that attend college at ages ten, eleven, and twelve
Level Five: Exceptionally to Profoundly Gifted
- IQ scores of 141+ represent the 99th percentile
- knows numbers, letters, colors, and shapes before they can talk
- can speak in full, complex sentences by fifteen months
- has kindergarten skills by age two
- spontaneously reads, understands fairly complex math problems, and has existential concerns by ages four to five (with or without instruction)
- frequently one parent must postpone their career to advocate for their child’s education
From the descriptions above it’s easy to see that differences between levels of giftedness can be significant. Children who fall in these categories need, and frequently don’t get, a customized educational plan that addresses their intellectual strengths. If you see signs of giftedness in your child, seek out the help a specialist to help ensure that their academic needs are met.
*Information from Dr. Deborah Ruf’s book, 5 Levels of Gifted: School Issues and Educational Options, Dr. Ruf, a high intelligence specialist, founded Educational Options in 1999 to provide information, support, and guidance to families with gifted children. Her book is an excellent resource for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to learn more about gifted children and adults.
© Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Eleanor Munson, Ph.D. with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
