Are school grades a good indicator of intelligence?

[miley19]

To be honest, through my school life i have always been the worst student in my class and probably in the whole school as well. I’d never study and i could never pay attention to the teachers and it naturally resulted in me failing or hardly passing in exams. Many people thought i was an idiot and compared their results to mine in order to feel better about theirselves. However, outside of the school im pretty smart, all of my teachers believed all my excuses when i said i didn’t do my homework, I got away with many things that other things couldn’t, such as lying to my parents and pranking my teachers then making them believe it was somebody else. I also learn languages quite fast on my own. So what do you think?🤷🏻‍♀️

[Knighted2170]

Overall I don't think they are a great gauge of intelligence. They are an indicator of retaining basic information that someone, somewhere said this is what you need in order to survive. Well, that may have been true back when you had to know how to read, write, and do basic math. Today it's all about school funding.

On the side note. Being able to scam your way through isn't really the brightest thing. Eventually, that will catch up to you. What that piece of paper really says is that you stuck with something, and played the game according to the established rules. Which is what employers look for.
I was a mediocre student at best. But, I taught myself what I needed to know and continue to learn new things. I can talk at length and in-depth on a variety of subjects that schools don't teach. I can do and have done, things that schools don't teach. A lot of what schools teach is several years, if not decades, behind current times. But, that piece of paper can open doors that intelligence alone cannot.
Grades are not an indicator of intelligence. They are an indicator of how well you played the game.

[BCA6010]

It depends on the subjects and how the class is being taught.

For example I switched geometry teachers midway through the school year- subject didn't change, but my second teacher's method of teaching was much better and so I got an A during that semester while I barely passed by the skin of my teeth the first semester.

In college however, things get a lot more wild because professors in any subject with open-ended demands can pretty much freely take points from you on a whim for any reason. This was especially bad in my political science, history, and writing related classes where having an opinion the professors didn't agree with could easily lose a letter grade or two even if the paper would've otherwise been A-quality.

[311WasAnInsideJam]

They're a measure of your ability to parrot information. A measure of your ability to "show your work" instead of just giving the correct answer. A measure of your ability to put the name, date and subject on your paper how that particular teacher prefers. A measure of your ability to waste your free time at home doing things you should have just been able to do in class. A measure of your ability to get into class before the bell, so you aren't marked as absent for the day. A measure of your ability to quietly watch the 1997 Odyssey movie because it's easier for the teacher to do than actually go over Greek literature.

It's not a measure of your intelligence, but rather your ability to appease the powers at play.

[IlyaTheImpaler]

lmao I'm gonna quote this and throw at my professor whenever he tries to assess his students, so that there can be no grade and we can all pass 😂 repeating information wouldn't get you pass trivial tests such as SAT let alone babby's introductory courses in my uni

[sejla]

There were times when my daughter looks like a rock in public school. I knew she was smart from the time she was born. I think there was a disconnect with how they were teaching.

She's in college now working hard and getting top grades. I think school was actually holding her back. She does much better when she is self motivated and taught in creative, interesting ways with some understanding of how knowledge helps navigate in the world versus just regurgitating information for a state test or something.

I do think she has a slight learning quirk that she might have been working against in school but no one ever would test her since she made good enough grades.

[sejla]

she's less interested in the good grades and more in understanding the information since she is going to be a nurse. The two sort of go hand in hand.

[SongBird3]

What I learned in life is that there are some thing u are just born with. My brother was a straight A student, he never really tried, he was just naturally good in school. I however struggled in school and tried my hardest and still only got B and Cs. My mother hated school and never went to college but she got a job and kept it for almost 30 years, she accomplished a LOT because she was a hard worker and was more street smart.
Im not gonna say that grades aren’t important, but shit like Standardized Testing is 100% bullshit, that dosen’t measure intelligence, it measures if your a good test taker. I think schools should focus more on the kids drive and work ethic.

[talloak]

As a former teacher, I can say that grades are an indicator, just not a very good one. A straight A student is not likely to be stupid. However a failing student can be very smart, especially for the reasons you fail: not trying, disinterest, not focusing (can't focus?), etc.

More worrisome to me than your grades is the list of things that you are smart in. Apart from learning languages, which is a great thing, the examples you give are all very negative. Do you really want to be someone who excels at dishonesty and meanness? Aren't there some other positive qualities besides languages that you would like to be good at?

[Zweihander]

Yes I think, for the most part. I think people that understand that schooling can only benefit them and that they should put in effort and follow instructions are typically more intelligent then people that have the "I dont HAVE to so i'm not going to" mentality about school. Kids that get A's are on average smarter and more intelligent than kids that get C's. That's just facts. Sure, getting good grades might reflect someone's ability to follow instructions, but that's a big part intelligence tbh.

[BCRanger10]

No, not necessarily. All "good grades" really means is that someone can memorize a lot of information (some of which may or may not be accurate) and call it to mind it at the right time when exams roll around. Or that they just do their homework and turn it in on time.

Whether or not Einstein actually said it (or if it's just a paraphrase, as I have so heard), the quote is still true that "Education is not the learning of facts, but training the mind to think." Having good grades CAN be an indicator of intelligence, but that doesn't mean that they actually are. Someone shouldn't feel too secure in having a 4.0 GPA, neither should they think that they're out of luck if they barely graduated.

[Anonymous]

No. They're a good indicator of book smarts. The ability to retain information. It doesn't equal exact intelligence. Exact intelligence is more one's ability to comprehend.

This is why "IQ tests" have been debunked as invalid with only spatial testing being considered an test of actual intelligence. It's why you can have a doctor, as example, who is well educated & does well on exams but who isn't necessarily intelligent enough to comprehend if they set their alarm clock 30 minutes earlier they wouldn't be speeding/tailgating on their way to work.

[blutwolfe]

Nah, people are usually forced through school, so they're doing something they don't wanna do, it's normal to not care lol. I used to turn it into a joke, and high school grades don't matter unless you're going straight to college after.

Are you really 22 and going to school or am I missing something?

[miley19]

:D im 18 and im in senior high

[blutwolfe]

Yeah that's the maximum don't give a fuck point lol, I think 4 years after you graduate basically anything high school related drops off. I was considered a non traditional freshmen lol. Anyway that time after you graduate let's you focus on yourself and stack some cash. Hell some people never go to college anyway.

But anyway they probably just feel insecure around you so they have to compare themselves to you, it happens lol, well hmu if you ever wanna talk

[CoreyJ]

Grades have never really meant anything to me.

I hated Secondary School (due to the school life i had being the nerd and all) College was great because it put me in an environment where i could be myself. But in both i never did great, college i did much better and i also become a much more happy person.

However my grades in school were horrendous, but now i work as a Full time video editor... so fuck the education system 😂

Schools put everyone through the same tests, even though every single person is different. We all learn differently as well, so their way of teaching may not be for you.

[someginger]

Eh not really, I mean a kid could get an A in English but not realise playing in traffic isn't a good idea.

I didn't do that well in school due to my dslecxia and me realising that what they were teaching us was just shit, I still passed everything I needed to and got to uni

[zaffy69]

No, grades don't determine your intelligence. I would get bad grades but I was smart and would even help others. Thing is we all have a unique way of learning. School bores us and leaves us unmotivated causing different things like depression, anxiety and such.

[ArrowheadSW]

When I was in elementary school I didn't get very good grades, but I had about the highest IQ in my grade. Later on, such as in high school, I figured out the whole school thing and did far better. In college I knew people who got good grades but I didn't think were that smart. Perhaps they had a knack for the books.

[Insomnia72]

Yes. But not a good indicator of creativity and imagination. Einstein did poorly in school, as did other genius before him. Writers also do poorly in school. All school teaches you is how to conform to fixations. Artists don't do well in that environment. They need their minds to be a playground of universal liberation, and that means no norm fixations. Yet that makes it difficult to pursue an ordinary job in life and maintain it.

[Existentially]

Being good at school doesn't show your intelligence. It shows how well you can remember things you've just learned and apply them to a test or an exam. I was always bad and doing homework but I always remembered everything I heard in my classes and never needed to take notes and also was a good test taker. What really shows your intelligence is tests that have short answer questions because it gives you the ability to articulate and think about ideas that fit with the question and shows that you're able to think comprehensively and respond in an accurate manner. People in high school cram study for just about every test but that only teaches them the material they need for the test. They never remember it afterwards.

[DorkVader]

Yes and no. I say Yes because being successful at school sets up your future and can help you get scholarships and stuff for college. That permanent record does have some bearing as you move into higher education. No because it's more of a measure of task completion and good habits than intelligence. Most of grade school is facts regurgitation, and anyone can do that. Also, school isn't always presented to us how we learn best, so we learn via someone else's methods and not always our own

[ForteExe]

Absolutely not. School doesn't make you smart or wise, nor do exams test for intelligence or wisdom (except for an IQ test). School is there to instill knowledge, and the two biggest factors involved in whether students will absorb what they're taught are "is the information being conveyed in a way that makes sense to the students?" And "are the students willing to learn?". If student grades are poor, the cause is in all likelihood that the lesson material isn't being taught properly, that the students don't give a shit, or some combo of both.

[Miristheiss]

Intelligence?

They display your drive, work ethic, ability to grasp needed life concepts for future jobs... etc.

What are we supposed to do with a vague concept like intelligence?

If I want to hire an engineer... you need to know calculus, trig, geometry... etc. If you get F's in those subjects I am not hiring you.

The same with biology grades and the medical fields... chemistry and the pharmacy field, teaching and education class grades... etc.

[Saville_Row]

Not in all cases. For example, I know smart people without college/high school.

What good grades show, however, is ability to focus in what you have been tasked to, solve problems and being responsible. That's why is easier for a company to hire you. You are trustworthy.

[IlyaTheImpaler]

That, my friend, correlates with the quality of your school. How good of an indicator it is depends on what you were taught, and what you were tested. The people who believe they have found a better indicator of intelligence just haven't figured out that once they try to quantify that indicator into a measurement system, they are reinventing the wheel of the education grading system 😂

[Anonymous]

I think you are lazy. You literally said that you don’t try in school and you fail. What do you expect? Surely you’re going to not perform good if you aren’t willing to put in the effort. Of course grades don’t define your intellect; however, grades show the effort and drive you apply to your work. Listen, only you control how smart you are. Being at the bottom of your classmates doesn’t mean that you are any lesser than them. Stop comparing yourself and if you care, then try.

[Anonymous]

Grades are an indicator of your ability to read and adapt to a teacher's class and style, not really of intelligence but one could say that this skill is an important component of intelligence. This is also important to become successful, because this is a skill you will need to have in a job.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Yes and no. High intelligent people can figure things out and if you're getting C's D's and F's in your school work is because you probably don't have the intelligent capacity to learn.

Secondly, school grades can also indicate a person just studies a lot of a material and happens to memorize the answers to the question the teacher asks on a test or school work but can be a bit of a retard in other areas of life.

[Budtwo]

God no. There's a old joke were a man asks a zoo to climb a tree to pass the your smart test , well clearly animals that swim are dumb then right? No there not, we just can't fit everyones need in schools. Especially in colleges

[Pete671]

Have you ever been assessed for neurodiversity conditions like ADD or autism?, the way you write indicates you are really smart but traditional learning environments aren't suitable for you?,,,

[miley19]

I have ADHD and i can’t focus for too long, i’d often get scolded for standing up in the class or movibg on my chair

[Pete671]

Yep me as well, I have a clinical diagnosis of Aspergers and on a waiting list for assessment for ADD/inattentive ADHD, these things weren't really known about and certainly not understood very well when I was at school, left in 1980 by the way, I eventually graduated with the OU, are you in any support groups at all? I'm in a great one for autism, but they welcome ADD as well,

[miley19]

oh, i bet it was very challenging for you back in 1970s. I never attended any support groups but i may if it really helps, i was on medication for 2 years and finally Im doing better but i still have issued with not getting distracted by literally everything

[Pete671]

Thanks, yes it was a struggle often, spent most of my spare time on my own, in some ways it was easier than it would be today as life was so much simpler, only 3 TV channels for example, and easier to concentrate as there were far less distractions,,,

[jgokgotit]

All school is good for is seeing if you can kiss ass and regurgitate information, true or not, that the system wrote. True intelligence is the ability to adapt and survive, things school does not teach you

[Nevada_rose]

Not really sure tbh my friends say it doesn’t mean your dumb or smart and some people say it does... all I know is I suck at school not sure why but I always get just passing grades never anything higher

[ShortCircuit]

They're a good indicator of intelligence + conscientiousness. An intelligent, but lazy student isn't going to get good grades, and neither will a conscientious, but stupid student.

[ShortCircuit]

It also depends somewhat on subject. When it comes to maths and sciences, intelligence is far more important than conscientiousness. That's why you have the "lazy genius" types that excel in maths and sciences while not doing as well in other subjects. I've had a few friends like that. On the other hand, the "hard-working ditzy" types can often get by in literature and history, where intelligence isn't as important as simply being able to absorb the information and do the work, despite how boring it is.

[Anonymous]

Nope. So many top students flounder in life. Smartest person I knew didn’t graduate High School. Anyway, I run rings around people who were great students. They are better at spelling, grammar and a bunch of other non-money or value producing skills but I am great with money, which is a much more rare trait and one that is highly valued. I find most people are a bit dim compared to the ones who dal with large sums of money.

[Opinion Owner]

Deal*

[Somethingwittty]

Not really no. Grades are more to show your effort towards learning not your ability to learn. in my opinion anyways.

[EABsTUQ]

Na. My best friend is just like you. Based on the grades he got others would call him dumb but they weren't spending everyday with him like me. Dude is avg. He just never did his stuff I don't know why.

[andrermm]

No. Not at all. I had a 14/20 average in school because I knew that was all I meed to get the degree I wanted. I never killed myself studying something I didn't like just to get a better average. Heck. I've left tests blank cause I was to bored to do anything on them.
Yet. i had people in my class with straight 18—20 grades. But they can't grasp concepts that are some to me. They just memorized stuff for the tests. So no... Grades don't mean you're intelligent

[Apple1996]

No definitely not. I even think this about college, just because someone has a degree doesn't mean they are smart

[Anonymous]

Partly yes, but it doesn’t measure all types of intelligence, usually only one. Also, it’s also partly a reflection of work ethic too. An intelligent person could be lazier, or a less intelligent person could be more dedicated.

[SydneySentinel]

Sometimes. My sister is brilliant but put in only as much effort as needed to get through high school.

[scooogy]

In psychology it's a less practical thing to witness if you have something called a "ceil effect", like you can't tell who of those "best ones" was better than the other. And since we seem to have that in our country (Germany) I'm glad that they finally understood that grades ain't tell you everything.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

I believe it reflects more on being well disciplined enough to attain good grades.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

My niece is resourceful & hard working. She gets good grades for her efforts. Yet, she's dumb as a doorknob.

[kingmook]

Thats not necessarily the case some could make a argument that the ones with the best grades in school are those who find ways to cheat the system

[skeetskeetskeet]

Not really... they only measure your ability to remember certain things to regurgitate later... i have a cousin with a phd from UCLA and that bitch can hardly change a light bulb... driving forget about it because she can't park...

[Edanurus]

I wouldn't say so. The way grades are handled means you don't need to understand what your talking about as long as you can parrot the right phrase. a lot of A students i knew had no idea of the subjects they just know "the text book says this"

[fallen_wings]

Naah, it's so easy to just copy someone or steal a test and have good grades.

[dontgofalling]

Definitely not.
School is very badly designed, doesn't fit every individual, and even causes problems such as a lack of attention and motivation.
Primary school is less of a bummer, but highschool is just terrible.

[JustJen]

How fast and easy you learn new things is definitely an indicator of intelligence. However, grades are also affected by other things, like not questioning teachers etc.

[CuriousMufuxka]

Well, intelligence won't gain cash flow.. I was the opposite in school. I didn't pay attention, but still scored well. It's all about education! You seem to be on the right path.

[DWornock]

There is a high correlation between grades and intelligence. However, since there are exceptions, the correlation is less than 1.

[Bman4907]

I know one guy that had a 4.0 GPA. He's an idiot when it comes to real life people and situations. Very smart when it comes to things like engineering probability, but can't tell the difference between a phillips head screwdriver and a flat head.

[MAINEVENTMAFlA]

No it is a good indicator of good memory retention that is it. It doesn't mean anyone is smart that is a fact. It just means they either put in the time to memorize things or they just have a really good memory.

[kingmook]

Depends on the field in which your looking for said intelligence

[Liam_Hayden]

School grades are an indication of ability to conform.

[BeMuse]

Nope. I’d say they are a good indicators of obedience.

[RHK36]

No, it's an indicator that you can grind mundane tasks and have a good memory. It's an indicator that you are probably book smart. Not an indicator for street smarts and common sense.

[Lunch_Long_Legacy]

They indicate work ethic more than intelligence most of the time.

[Twalli]

They are a good indicator, but not perfect. Each individual has a specific style of learning that works best for them. If they were to apply it based on the student, one who cannot do well in the correct environment is stupid.

[jwsstein]

I agree I was really bad I'm school myself never did home work failed every class I got lucky with my parents my father was supperatend and so he push me though I might not have been good in school but I do pretty good in grown up life

[letsfreakinggo]

Nah I don't think so I is showing who puts effort into it and of course you have smart people but in my opinion it test more of your memory

[arabgoddess]

People tend to memorise their study so they can ace their exams! I've tried it 😂 😂

[SilenceMeansPatience]

As a teacher, no. Intelligence helps in learning but grades mostly test your motivation.

[CowboyAceTre]

No. I have a high IQ. School bored me. I dropped out after 7th grade.

[Shamalien]

School grades are not at all a good indicator of intelligence, not even a little bit.

They are, if anything, and indicator of who is and who is not willing to be a stupid slave.

[DiegoO]

Yes, to some degree, but it doesn't cover all the types of intelligence and it depends on other factors, besides having enough intelligence to score high grades.

[Grande_Beefy_Swirl]

Not in America. Our education system is an industrial-era nightmare.

[Hannajenky]

No way to know for sure. But schools are designed to train people to conform to rules of society and prepare people to be 8 hour wage slaves

[jss123]

No. Some people just know how to study. I dated someone recently with straight As and she wasn't intelligent at all. I could not have an intelligent conversation with her.

[DanOh2018]

Nope, not really. They measure compliance to an equal extent. If you have test anxiety or a bad home life your grades and intellectual capacity probably won't match.