“Stop trusting fake IQ quizzes”: experts warn of HPI hype this school year; only WISC-5 may prove it

September’s first report cards often spark big emotions at the kitchen table. Some parents, dazzled by rapid learning or precocious curiosity, begin to wonder whether their child might be HPI—high intellectual potential. Hype abounds. So do myths. Yet there is a clear, recognised way to find out. It is not an app quiz or a quick classroom screener. It is the WISC-5, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, administered one-to-one by a trained clinician. This standardised assessment doesn’t just churn out a number; it maps strengths, weaknesses, and how a child approaches problems. If you want credible proof of HPI, you need a proper WISC-5.

What the WISC-5 Test Involves

The WISC-5 is a rigorous, standardised tool used by child psychiatrists and psychologists to evaluate cognitive functioning. First devised by David Wechsler in 1955 and last updated in 2014, it assesses multiple facets of intelligence through carefully calibrated subtests. Across typically more than two hours—often split into two or three sessions—children work through tasks covering verbal comprehension, visual–spatial analysis, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. The aim is not rote recall alone, but to reveal how a young mind reasons, shifts strategies, and sustains focus under timed pressure.

Conditions matter. The assessment is delivered one-to-one, in a quiet room, by a clinician who follows strict administration rules to keep results valid and comparable. Observations of behaviour—frustration tolerance, impulsivity, perseverance—complement raw scores. That clinical context is vital because the WISC-5 is designed to produce a reliable, norm-referenced IQ, not a casual estimate. Only an in-person, standardised WISC-5 administered by a qualified professional can substantiate an HPI profile. Everything else is noise, however slick the interface or persuasive the marketing.

Interpreting Results: From Average to HPI

Results are normed so that 100 is the average IQ. Most children score between 85 and 115. The community of specialists generally uses 130 as the threshold for HPI, a band reached by about 2.3% of the population. Yet numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. As Paris-based child psychiatrist Christine Barois emphasises, an HPI classification assumes broadly strong performance across domains; the overall profile should be sufficiently homogeneous to interpret. Marked disparities—say, very high verbal scores but weak processing speed—can complicate conclusions and may point to other learning differences or needs rather than classic HPI.

It is equally important to stress what a lower score does not mean. A result below 130 does not doom a child to underachievement, nor does it close the door on ambitious studies. Motivation, teaching quality, mental health, and opportunity weigh heavily in educational outcomes. The WISC-5 is a snapshot of cognitive functioning under specific, standardised conditions. It is a powerful lens. It is not destiny.

Costs, Sessions, and Reimbursement

In practice, families face two to three appointments: an intake to understand history and context, the testing session(s), and feedback with the written report. Across providers, the WISC-5 typically costs €300–€500. Many clinics request a deposit—around €50—to secure the booking. In France, national health insurance does not reimburse the assessment. Some complementary plans (mutuelles) may contribute modestly, often €10–€20 per session. For a two- or three-session pathway, that’s roughly €20–€60 back. Not transformative, but it helps.

Families should ask clear questions before committing: the total fee, what exactly is included (intake, testing, full written report, feedback meeting), and the provider’s qualifications with children of similar age. Budget realistically before you book. Expect the final report a short time after testing, once the clinician scores subtests, examines patterns, and writes a nuanced interpretation. That analysis—linking numbers to real-world learning and behaviour—is what turns a set of scaled scores into a meaningful plan for the classroom and home.

Beware of Online IQ Quizzes and Shortcuts

The internet offers countless “WISC-5-style” or “instant IQ” tests. Tempting? Perhaps. Reliable? No. Do not rely on online quizzes to diagnose HPI. Many are riddled with scoring errors, lack proper norms, and often gate results behind surprise paywalls. Crucially, they ignore the behavioural observations professionals use to interpret scores—how a child copes with time limits, manages frustration, or adapts strategy. Without that context, a number is just a number.

Legitimate assessments come from qualified clinicians who follow standard protocols and provide full reports. That professionalism protects your child’s interests. It also prevents mislabelling, which can distort expectations at school and home. If you are curious about potential HPI, book a recognised assessment and ask the practitioner to explain not only the composite IQ but also the index scores and what they imply for learning. WISC-5 is a doorway to understanding. Used properly, it guides support. Used casually, it misleads.

Curiosity about a child’s mind is natural, even healthy, and the WISC-5 offers a robust way to test it. Yet the goal should not be a badge labelled HPI, but insight that helps a young person thrive—at school, at home, in life. If your child qualifies, great; if not, that knowledge still empowers better choices. Either way, a rigorous, clinician-led assessment is the sound route. If you were to book tomorrow, what would you most want to learn from the results, and how would you use them to support your child’s daily learning?

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