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Hi Artemis, As Cricket mentions, capturing an IQ is more difficult as one falls further from the mean. Whether you are considered "gifted" by a certain definition or number, doesn't seem to be the real issue here, but rather, do you have a disability that is getting in the way of your learning or how you demonstrate what you know. Getting an IQ test is an important first step and I am sure that the evaluator will be looking at not only your absolute scores, but patterns of strengths and weakness and whether or not the difference between and among sub test scores are larger than what is "typical". Variations between subtest scores are often red flags for learning disabilities.
While you are being tested, I would also suggest that they consider other areas of cognition and academic achievement. Discrepancies between IQ and achievement tests are often used to diagnose disabilities.
Why is it important to gather this data? Because if you do indeed have a disability, you most likely will be covered by section 504 of the American's with Disability Act. This means that any public institution that accepts any federal money is obliged to give you the accommodations necessary for you to access the curriculum. This could mean many of the supports you have found successful: separate testing area, extra time etc.
