What IQ score is typically used to identify gifted students?

The identification of gifted students often involves the use of standardized IQ tests, which provide a quantitative measure of intelligence. A score of 130 is commonly recognized as a threshold for identifying giftedness. This score typically represents the 98th percentile of the population, meaning that individuals who score at or above this level demonstrate cognitive abilities that are significantly greater than the average.

The 130 IQ score is widely used because research and educational guidelines have shown that students with this level of intelligence often require specialized educational strategies to meet their advanced learning needs. This is also supported by many educational systems' definitions and criteria for gifted programs, which frequently use this benchmark to identify students who may benefit from differentiated instruction, acceleration, or other resources tailored to their capabilities.

A higher score, such as 140, is certainly indicative of exceptional intelligence but is less commonly used as a standard cutoff for identifying giftedness in educational contexts, as very few individuals fall into that category. Meanwhile, scores of 115 and 120 are generally within the average to slightly above-average range and do not typically meet the criteria used to classify a student as gifted.