Signs of talent identification are cues for curiosity, not a diagnosis and not a caste stamp.
Tests measure a sample already shaped by teaching and invitation. False positives are part of the identification problem.
Early cues
- 3–6 — Ceiling hit on a grade test — Stanley’s invitation cue.
- 7–9 — Work that outruns the room — A portfolio cue.
- 10–13 — Never nominated, still fast — Referral-bias cue.
- 14–17 — Disability plus high peak — 2e cue.
- Adult — Late growth after a sport cut — Relative-age cue.
Tests & tasks
- Above-level domain test — SMPY method.
- Trial teaching / dynamic — Vygotsky ID.
- Teacher nomination only — Bias-prone.
- One IQ sitting — Incomplete.
Environments
- Translated invitations — Who hears.
- Multiple measures — Test plus work plus trial.
- A review date — Off-ramp.
- Ethics line posted — No group ranks.
False positives
- Tutor-polished percentile — Access.
- Compliance nomination — Quiet ≠ only talent.
- Oldest in the sport year — Relative age.
- Paid-search badge as soul — CTY is a course.
Talent identification: a cue is information. A label without a review date is a caste.