The 5 Key Aspects of IQ Testing: Verbal Comprehension

I’m Elizabeth Blaetz, Head of School at Vanguard Gifted Academy. I hope you’re enjoying this series as we dive into IQ testing. Today, I’m going to share some insights about verbal comprehension. Verbal comprehension is the ability to interpret and apply words in instructions and directions and verbally communicate ideas through words. 

Previously, we discussed visual-spatial learners and how their brains really work with pictures. Meanwhile, gifted verbal learners are all about words. They talk and talk because their verbal comprehension is strong and they find new words exciting. I had a conversation with one of my students today, for example, during which we talked about onomatopoeia. He loved that word because it sounded so interesting to him.

High verbal comprehension scorers are the children who just live for words.

These children dive into books. They love literature because authors use words in such creative ways. They like to come up with new words. They communicate and express ideas very well, often sounding much older than their age.

Though their ability to process concepts allows them to breeze through school and connect with adults, they have difficulty finding same-age friends. You can imagine feeling bad if you have very high verbal comprehension and are talking and talking, but your classmates don’t listen to you because they’re not interested in words like you are. You would feel like you don’t have any true peers. These children need like-minded peers who are interested in their brand of verbal communication to flourish.

This verbal comprehension also links to auditory learning. Most students with high verbal comprehension learn well auditorily. They do well listening for directions, which is every teacher’s dream. Though a child gifted in verbal comprehension fits in well in the traditional school model, others often don’t recognize them as gifted. Everybody thinks they’re wonderful, but because they receive little specialized instruction, they don’t expand on their verbal communication skills. That’s unfortunate because, in terms of IQ testing, if your child has strong verbal comprehension, they’ve got it made.

But if your child is a low scorer, you need to promote their verbal skills consistently. For instance, you need to make sure they’re using the right word for the right thing. Don’t let them get away with saying they want red pie; they need to say they want cherry pie. That’s one way you can build up their verbal comprehension and expression rather than allowing their inability to hold them down.

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little bit more about verbal comprehension. Our next blog will focus on fluid reasoning. In the meantime, though, if you’re realizing your child is a gifted verbal learner then we encourage you to look through Vanguard’s admissions process and consider applying.