This wasn't actually traumatic in my case, admittedly, since in that school district "Gifted & Talented" basically meant "a couple of hours a week out of class off doing fun stuff like playing chess and fuck*ng around on Apple ][s for no better reason than 'enrichment'", and that was an idea I could get behind.
Been there done that, also really fun. So much Oregon Trail.
However, we had these standardized tests in high school, english sophomore year and history junior. I scored perfect on both and in junior year they tried to make me go to honors english, and I definitely refused. Knowing what I know now, it would not have helped me at all prepare for college (if it was like other high school honors classes) so I think it was a good idea to have fun.
Just to clarify, I am not trying to brag. I don't believe in standardized tests at all. I am not that intelligent. It might speak about Oklahoma's public education system, though.
Anyhow, just remembered mancala, too. I used to be bad ass at that game in 4th and 5th grade.