Introduction by GiftedKids.in
In India this question usually arrives with a price tag before an explanation. A school hints at it, a relative recommends a centre, a number gets quoted — and nobody says what the test is for, who is qualified to give it, or what you are supposed to do with the result afterwards.
Dr Inderbir Kaur Sandhu has spent over three decades in gifted education, with a PhD from Cambridge in the subject. What follows is her answer, from her own assessment room. It begins somewhere other than the score.
“Should I get my child tested?”
A Question Many Parents Struggle With
This is a question many parents ask, often with mixed emotions. Some are curious because their child seems to learn faster than others. Some are worried because their child appears bored or frustrated in school. Others hesitate because they do not want their child to be labelled.
Over the years, I have met many parents who arrive at an assessment uncertain about whether they are doing the right thing. My response is usually the same: an assessment should never be about proving that a child is gifted. It should be about understanding the child better.
A number alone does not define a child. What matters is the story behind the number.
Why Assessment Can Be Helpful
Many people think an IQ test simply tells us how “smart” a child is. In reality, a good cognitive assessment provides a much richer picture.
It helps us understand how a child thinks, solves problems, remembers information and approaches new situations. Two children can have the same overall IQ score but very different learning profiles.
The goal is not comparison. The goal is understanding.
What I Have Learnt From My Assessment Room
One of the most meaningful moments in my work happens when parents say, “Now I understand my child better.”
Sometimes an assessment confirms what parents already suspected. At other times, it reveals something unexpected.
I have assessed children who were thought to be careless, unmotivated or difficult, only to discover that they were highly capable children whose needs were not fully understood. I have also worked with children whose high ability masked challenges such as attention difficulties, learning differences or emotional struggles.
This is why looking at the whole child matters. Giftedness is only one part of who a child is.
When Should Parents Consider an Assessment?
Parents may consider an assessment when:
- A child appears significantly ahead of peers in reasoning or learning.
- There is a mismatch between ability and school performance.
- A child seems bored, frustrated or insufficiently challenged.
- Parents or teachers suspect both strengths and learning difficulties.
- Decisions about educational support or enrichment need to be made.
However, assessment is not necessary for every bright child. Many children thrive simply because their curiosity is nurtured and their learning needs are met.
Myth vs Reality
An IQ score tells you everything you need to know about a child.
An IQ score is only one piece of information. Understanding motivation, personality, creativity, emotional development and environment is equally important.
Dr Inderbir's Reflection
After many years of conducting assessments, I have realised that the most important question is not, “What is this child’s IQ?”
The better question is, “What does this child need to grow?”
When used wisely, assessment opens conversations. It helps parents move beyond assumptions and see their child more clearly.
Every child is more than a score. Behind every number is a young person with strengths, challenges, interests and dreams. Our responsibility is not simply to identify ability, but to nurture potential.
Want to Learn More?
- The Secret to Raising a Smarter Child (book): Dr Inderbir Kaur Sandhu (2019)
Dr Inderbir Kaur Sandhu is a psychologist, gifted education specialist and author of The Secret to Raising a Smarter Child. With over two decades of experience working with gifted and twice-exceptional children, she specialises in understanding how children think, learn and thrive. Her work focuses on cognitive assessment, talent development and helping families nurture children's strengths while supporting their social and emotional development.