FWIW, the when you see the results in a talent search these top 5 or 10% of kids do spread out again on a whole new bell curve. I'm guessing their IQ's would also spread on another bell curve. I have 3 DC and although each is GT. They each have very different levels of personal drive and thirst for learning. My oldest DS doesn't care less about learning on his own. He is happy with status quo on everything. He is GT but never could have achieved the Explores scores. My younger Ds has been a self drive information hoarder since he was born. He has Explore scores to qualify for DYS before a major overhaul to his school placements. It's not what school has done for him that go him those scores it's what he has done for himself. The topics vary over time but when he indulges an interest it is a 24/7 thing for him. My DD is fairly young and seems hide her abilities and learnings things behind your back. I have know idea if she will be a good fit. I don't have a good yard stick to measure her with anyway. The IQ tells you a capacity of a child and Achievement tells you what the already know, but some GT kids don't have the exposure at school and don't independently crave non-stop info.

We didn't test him for specifically for DA or DYS at the time. He always hit the ceilings on his grade level Cogat, IBST, & State proficiency test. We tested to better understand him. He did hit the ceilings with Explore at age 11. I doubt his score would have been much lower 4 months earlier at 10. I guess however he would have scored I was only looking for a better understanding of him. I was shocked by his scores. So shocked I didn't apply for DYS. I waited and gave him an ACT this year at 12 to make sure it was "REAL". I'm only now submitting his application for DYS. He doesn't even realize what I'm doing at this point. I took him for his WISC-IV. I told him he couldn't know the score until he was an adult, but it would be useful for us as his parents and the school to guide his educational track. He whined a bit over not knowing the score, but understands my reasoning.

A 4th grader doesn't need a 23 or 24 to qualify for DYS. For DYS a 4th grader needs 2 scores plus the composite of the following English 19, Math 16, Reading 18, Science 18, and a composite of 17. They also need an IQ of 145+ in FSIQ, VCI, PRI, or GAI.

For DA they do state "Any student who is performing at an advanced middle school grade level or above, meets the Qualification Criteria and is under the age of 18 can apply to The Davidson Academy. It is strongly recommended that applicants have, at minimum, 6th grade in progress at the time of application. Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the academic readiness assessment portion of the application process, which includes the students spending a day at the Academy to determine a final admission decision. Please note that our curriculum is accelerated by approximately three standard grade levels. "

They do need at least 3 scores at 24 with a composite of 23 and the qualifying IQ for younger applicants. Which would fall inline with a high achieving middle school level.

IMHO, Davidson is looking for high capacity and a certain level of drive or thirst for knowledge. I have a DS like that and another DS that just doesn't have the thirst and third DD that is a total mystery to me. There are kids that can score that high even at 9 or 10.

Jtooit