Parents and teachers often benefit from learning more about characteristics of gifted students as they seek to make decisions regarding the most appropriate education for children.  The following common traits of gifted students may provide assistance to those who are considering referring a child for a gifted program.  Giftedness is not assessed by any one trait or by any one score, but by the preponderance of information gathered from performance and from observation. 

 A GIFTED LEARNER:

* goes beyond knowing the answers to discussing the answers in detail and asking the questions.

* is not only interested and attentive, but displays a high level of curiosity and becomes mentally and physically involved in learning.

* may play around, yet may test well.

* not only learns things easily, but already knows much of the information; is often beyond the group.

* needs little or no repetition for mastery of a concept.

* exhibits abstract reasoning.

* goes beyond grasping the meaning to drawing inferences.

* initiates projects in areas of interest.

* goes beyond working with existing ideas to creating new designs and ideas.

* not only absorbs information, but also enjoys manipulating the information.

* may prefer the company of older children and adults to being with children his/her own age.

* not only is good at memorization, but also is good at guessing.

* may enjoy straightforward, sequential presentations, but thrives 
     on complexity.

* is keenly observant, intense, and often highly self-critical.

Adapted from Bright Child, Gifted Learner by Janice Szabos