Gifted and Talented (GT) Endorsement Practice Exam

The characteristic associated with gifted students that is recognized by educational research is increased sensitivity towards others. Gifted students often demonstrate heightened emotional awareness and empathy, which can manifest as a deep concern for social justice, an ability to connect with the feelings of others, and a strong sense of morality. This sensitivity can lead them to be advocates for their peers and show compassion in social situations.

In contrast, while some might argue that gifted individuals may have difficulty in social situations, it's not universally true as many gifted students can thrive socially if provided with the right environment. The notion that gifted students are always high achievers academically is misleading since not all gifted students perform well in traditional educational settings due to various factors like disengagement or lack of challenge. Additionally, while many gifted learners exhibit mature cognitive thinking, that doesn’t apply uniformly to all gifted students as cognitive development varies widely among individuals. Hence, increased sensitivity is recognized as a significant and positive characteristic that tends to correlate with their giftedness.