The Intelligence Tests That Explained My Fs

When I Was 15, I Got a 39-Page Report On My Cognition. It Helped.

One chilly morning in December 1999, an elderly woman showed up in my kindergarten class at my elementary school and told my teacher I was needed for a private conference. My pulse quickened and my classmates stared. The lady took me to a dark office, handed me two Barbie dolls, and instructed me to play with them. I was too anxious to say anything to her, but I followed her instructions. I believe I had the dolls discuss a possible road trip up the West Coast.

Years later, I learned that …