Dr. Karen Rogers discusses in Re-Forming Gifted Education the types of assessment most appropriate to accurately describe the gifts and talents of a child:

Although an IQ score or a cognitive abilities test score provides objective information for the intellectual domain, these tests are not as helpful for identifying someone with creative gifts or talents, nor do they identify leadership or abilities outside of academic areas. A more suitable assessment for giftedness and talent should include a variety of both objective (quantifiably measured) information and subjective (personally observed) information. The tables below show examples of both objective and subjective instruments that are helpful in the assessment of gifts and talents in each of the five domains.

Objective and Subjective Measures of Gifts and Talents
DOMAIN — INTELLECTUAL
Gifted Objective Measures	Gifted Subjective Measures	Talent Objective Measures	Talent Subjective Measures
Stanford-Binet (LM), WISC-III, Woodcock Johnson* Group mental ability tests (e.g., Otis-Lennon, CogAT, Henmon-Nelson, Ravens Progressive Matrices, Matrix Analogies Test)* SAT or ACT tests taken at earlier age*	Renzulli Scales* Whitmore or Rimm Underachievement Scales Cultural Characteristics Scales Parent nomination Teacher nomination Renzulli Scales* Purdue* Scales (PARS) in English, Science, Math, Social Studies, Foreign Language	Intellectual competitions, such as Academic Decathlon, Destination Imagination, Knowledge Bowl, Future Problem Solving, Math Olympiad Writing or speech competitions Problem-solving and critical thinking tests (e.g. Ross, Cornell)*	Journal Diary Writing samples (poetry, stories) Biographical inventory Self nomination Peer nomination Parent nomination Teacher nomination Personal Interview
*Generally preferred for their accuracy, reliability, or comprehensiveness.

Objective and Subjective Measures of Gifts and Talents
DOMAIN — SPECIFIC ACADEMIC
Gifted Objective Measures	Gifted Subjective Measures	Talent Objective Measures	Talent Subjective Measures
Individual achievement tests, e.g., Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Kaufman Tests of Educational Achievement, Woodcock Johnson Achievement Tests* Out-of-level (2+ grades ahead) standardized achievement tests (subtest scores), e.g., SATs, ITBS, SRA, MATs* Curriculum-based assessments Developing Cognitive Abilities test (DCAT) EXPLORE Test*	Teacher nomination Peer nomination Parent nomination	High scores on out-of-level standardized achievement tests* High grades in an academic area Successful work in advanced coursework in one or more academic areas	Student products (science project, short story, etc.) Self nomination Biographical inventory Teacher nomination Peer nomination Parent nomination Interview
*Generally preferred for their accuracy, reliability, or comprehensiveness.

Objective and Subjective Measures of Gifts and Talents
DOMAIN — CREATIVITY
Gifted Objective Measures	Gifted Subjective Measures	Talent Objective Measures	Talent Subjective Measures
Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking* Guilford Creative Perception Inventory* Meeker Structure of Intellect (SOI) Test* Rimm GIFT and GIFFI tests	Renzulli Scales* Wallach & Kogan Scales* Self nomination Peer Nomination Teacher nomination Parent nomination Biographical inventory	Creative product checklist High score on student product or performance* Auditions or exhibitions using juried panel of "expert" evaluators	Student products Self nomination Biographical inventory Teacher nomination Parent nomination
*Generally preferred for their accuracy, reliability, or comprehensiveness.

Objective and Subjective Measures of Gifts and Talents
DOMAIN — PSYCHOSOCIAL LEADERSHIP
Gifted Objective Measures	Gifted Subjective Measures	Talent Objective Measures	Talent Subjective Measures
Psychological Inventories that indicate emotional stability, self-awareness Social Maturity Scales*	Renzulli Scales* Self nomination Peer nomination Teacher nomination Journal Diary Interview Parent nomination	Ratings of performance in leadership, administrative role	Success levels of project or task outcomes Interview Observation Biographical inventory Self nomination Peer nomination Coach/Advisor nomination Journal Diary
*Generally preferred for their accuracy, reliability, or comprehensiveness.

Objective and Subjective Measures of Gifts and Talents
DOMAIN — VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Gifted Objective Measures	Gifted Subjective Measures	Talent Objective Measures	Talent Subjective Measures
Horn Art Aptitude Test* Seashore Test of Musical Ability* Meier Art Judgment Test*	Renzulli Scales* Self nomination Peer nomination Interview Diary Teacher nomination Parent nomination	High score on checklist of student product or performance Auditions or exhibitions using juried panel of "expert in the field" evaluators	Journal Diary Student products or performances Self nomination Biographical inventory Sketchbook, composition notebook, journal, choreography plan, play notes Artist/teacher nominations
*Generally preferred for their accuracy, reliability, or comprehensiveness.

Dr. Rogers further indicates that one objective and one subjective measure in each domain category will probably suffice to generally assess gifts/talents.

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