Originally developed by Dr. Linda Silverman, Gifted Development Center, edited by Shulamit Widawsky

Please Note:  This checklist is a screening tool only and is not meant to be scored.  It is meant to help folks recognize some of the basic traits of giftedness, in adults and often in young people, too. This list is neither comprehensive, nor conclusive. No one will answer a resounding "Yes" for every question here. Sometimes the better way to answer the question is to think about what others have told you about yourself. For example, you may not give much thought to your vocabulary, but if you think about it, maybe you were teased for using some "two dollar word." Or perhaps you don't think of yourself as energetic, but others have remarked on how much energy you have.

What's most important is to notice if you find a pattern of giftedness. Knowing you are gifted can help you better understand and accept yourself. For more information on Giftedness, go to Gifted Links.

 1.      Are you a good problem solver, or like to spend time working on solving problems?

2.      Do you generally understand new ideas quickly?

3.      Do you have an extensive vocabulary?

4.      Are you a complex person?

5.      Do you have good long-term memory (not necessarily across the board)?

6.      Do you concentrate for long periods of time?

7.      Are you highly sensitive, either positively or negatively?

8.      Are you unusually compassionate?

9.      Are you perfectionistic?

10.  Do you have passionate, intense feelings?

11.  Do you feel compelled to critique or improve upon the status quo?

12.  Do you have strong moral or philosophical convictions?

13.  Are you very curious?

14.  Do you persevere with your interests?

15.  Do you have a great deal of energy (mental or physical)?

16.  Do you often feel out-of-sync with others?

17.  Do you feel overwhelmed by many interests or abilities?

18.  Do you have an extraordinary or philosophical sense of humor?

19.  Are you an avid reader?

20.  Do you often take a stand against injustice?

21.  As a child were you considered mature for your age in any way?

22.  Are you a keen observer?

23.  Do you have a vivid imagination or have a perpetual flow of ideas?

24.  Do you feel driven by your creativity?

25.  Do you often question authority or feel unimpressed by authority?

26.  Do you have facility with numbers?

27.  Do you spend time doing puzzles (any kind, not necessarily pencil and paper, or jig-saw)?

28.  Do you love ardent discussions?

29.  Are you perceptive or insightful?

30.  Do you have organized collections?

31.  Do you need periods of contemplation?

32.  Do you often connect seemingly unrelated ideas?

33.  Do you thrive on challenge?

34.  Do you often search for meaning in your life?

35.  Are you fascinated with paradoxes?

36.  Do you have extraordinary abilities and deficits?

37.  Are you often aware of things that others are not?

38.  Do you set high standards or goals for yourself?

39.  Do you have unusual ideas or perceptions?

40.  Do you find you race ahead of folks in ways that they deem surprising?

41.  Do you notice patterns or exceptions to patterns, even subtle ones?

Please Note:  This checklist is a screening tool only and is not meant to be scored.  It is meant to help folks recognize some of the basic traits of giftedness, in adults and often in young people, too. This list is neither comprehensive, nor conclusive. No one will answer a resounding "Yes" for every question. What's most important is to notice if you find a pattern of giftedness. Recognizing that you are gifted can help you better understand and accept yourself. For more information on Giftedness, go to Gifted Links.