Are You "Conventionally Smart?"

Question

Conventionally smart meaning high GPA, A's & B's in classes, taking higher level courses such as AP and/or IB?

Do you believe that GPA, grades in classes & courses taken accurately indicate your level of intelligence?

No, I'm not conventionally smart but I do believe I'm knowledgeable and curious in a sense that I enjoy learning, I have a thirst for knowledge and my interests are generally not related to traditional math, science, english and social studies classes.

FlightAuror2 · Accepted Answer

I'm not "conventionally smart" according to my GPA, but I took the ASVAB and was told that I could get any job I wanted with the military based on my score, so I guess it depends on how someone applies their intelligence more than their potential. I think everyone has the potential, but some people become more life/street smart than book smart, so their GPA may not be high, but they may display more intelligence than someone who has a high GPA. Meanwhile you can have someone who's on their iPod all day and still gets A's in all of their classes and people who take notes and study who just get B's. Scientists/Psychologists have been trying to accurately quantify intelligence for a long time, but I don't think they ever will, accurately.

And just the same, you may think Sherlock Holmes a genius for how he can seemingly immediately tell a million things about a person without knowing them personally that you'd think he'd have to be psychic to know, but you learn of his methods throughout the stories and what seems incredibly uncommon or impossible is actually quite possible, it's simply a strategy based on observations that make him seem intelligent because it's something that the typical person does not do, but the result is something we'd all like. Hopefully that made sense, lol.

Confused614 · Accepted Answer

I would say above average but I am no genius. I firmly believe the vast majority of people can perform extremely well in school and achieve a high GPA. Some might have to work a little harder than others. That being said no I don't believe GPA, grades in classes and courses taken accurately indicate your level of intelligence. Someone who is really smart might not have to do a whole lot to get a 4.0s. While someone else might study 10 hours a day to get a 4.0. They both have 4.0s but the first is smarter the second just worked a lot harder. There are also smart people who are lazy they might not have to study at all to get a 4.0 but if they don't feel like showing up for school they might have a low GPA. I think GPA only slightly shows your intelligence but I think it shows more your work ethic and if you cared about your grades. If you care about your grades anyone can maintain a high GPA IMO.

tohrment · Accepted Answer

I think I'm naturally smart. I don't get the best grades, but they are decent. I rely entirely on my natural intelligence rather than studying and applying myself, and reaping the benefits. I lack motivation/dedication and my study ethic is horrendous (or non existent). Also, in Australia it's MUCH harder to get As because of the scaling system.

Like you, I love learning. But I prefer to do it in my own time. It seems that as soon as I'm going to be graded/evaluated on a topic I become disinterested in it.

I think that grades and higher courses can be indicative of a person's ambitions, work ethic and dedication - but definitely not their intelligence. Also, some people are study smart (have to study to get good grades) whereas others are more street smart. Emotional & social intelligence isn't accounted for as well. Someone can have great grades but be unable to apply the knowledge in practical senses, too.

FierceMegan · Accepted Answer

In college, yes I was "conventionally smart" - it's a long story.

In high school, no I wasn't "conventionally smart" - even longer story.

I think it's a matter of passion. Look at Mark Zuckerberg, he is a genius and he applied it to something he loved to do. That is why he is so successful. He is "conventionally" smart, so it puts him ahead of the game. I think most people who are genius's lack passion because everything comes so easily to them. In his case, he has a LOT of passion, plus he is a genius, so it's easier for him to get ahead (not that I am saying he had it easy).

People who are below average/averagely smart (if that's what you call it)/or anything else, if they have a passion for something they will succeed in life.

Sorry if I went on a tangent, but this is a fervent question for me. =D I think intelligence has nothing to do with it. I think it's all about passion.

oneirataxia · Accepted Answer

Well the Aussie system is a little different, but I do believe I have some conventional smarts about me. My end-of-school test score was quite high, I've held academic scholarships, and I got into one of the best selective schools in my state. Throughout my schooling I've mostly had above average grades without much effort (compared to my peers).

That said, I don't really believe they are an accurate indication of my intelligence. Why? Because I'm f***ing stupid. I do stupid things all the time, I say stupid things all the time, and I walk around in a constant haze of completely stupidity. I'm incapable of remembering most people's names, I have no social skills to speak of, and my attention span is ridiculously short.

It doesn't take intelligence to cram useless sh*t the night before an exam, and remember a few childish mnemonics.

SnackG · Answer

Yeah I am, but I didn't try so it didn't show. *Waits for some ass to say well you're not smart then.* No grades don't show intelligence for the most part. It's more so just an effort thing. I feel kinda sorry for those that try super hard though and some how get low C's and high D's anyway.

kheserthorpe · Answer

Yes.

Conventionally smart people are intelligent in some ways. They may or may not be intelligent in others.

People who are 'not conventionally smart' may still be very intelligent.

This is of course particularly true when do to non-intelligence related factors, they struggle in a typical academic environment.

goflipaburger · Answer

Pretty much.

I think GPA and such things CAN be a reflection of how intelligent you are, but it's very subjective and not always accurate. I've had at least 2 college level courses where everyone is basically guaranteed an A or B.

I do love learning and I intend to stay a student for as long as possible. I'm extremely attracted to traditional studies. I've always done well, especially in college.

selfishstars · Answer

I was a straight A student all through school.

But I don't think grades are necessarily a good indicator of intelligence. It just means that you were able to adapt to the teaching and testing styles presented to you. You can be really intelligent, but not be a good test taker, or not learn effectively from lecture-style classes, for example.

kmhco · Answer

Yeah I suppose I am "conventionally smart" based on the qualifications you listed. The thing is, there are many different types of intelligence.  I may be conventionally smart but in many other types of intelligence, I tend to be average or less than average.

elements · Answer

I have a high GPA, graduated college with High Honours, and I'm in an Honours program now at university, but damn, there are some people I see and hear sometimes that make me feel like I'm missing something. :P

But I still think I'm smart, with or without a high GPA. But I'm also not knowledgeable in every subject, but the subjects I am interested in, I'm always very strong in.

monica7777 · Answer

I'm conventionally smart, and I don't believe it's linked to intelligence. To me intelligence is being able to take information and make your own new conclusions and ideas from it. (Like most bonus questions in school.) Where smart in school really just tests your memory.

dIO_oIb · Answer

Conventionally smart meaning high GPA, A's & B's in classes, taking higher level courses such as AP and/or IB?

My GPA is a 4.0 right now, I can take higher level courses I just choose not to.

Do you believe that GPA, grades in classes & courses taken accurately indicate your level of intelligence?

no, not at all.

mormollio · Answer

I'm conventionally smart, but I don't think my grades are a good way to indicate my IQ seeing as how I don't study. If I actually studied for tests and remembered to do all my hw I could be a straight A student. x.X

Mr_Solo_Dolo · Answer

Nope, I'm not. I'm like you I like learning a lot of different things and just soaking up as much knowledge about the planet and different things. It's pretty cool to learn about a bunch of different things.

CarelessWhisper · Answer

I was always told I was a smart dumb person or a dumb smart person. Truth is I just wasn't all that motivated. In subjects I like I excel, unfortunately I get bored easily and stop putting in my full effort. Thank God for the quarter system

Ezmotts · Answer

Grades don't really mean much. I took all IB classes in high school so I could just get straight Bs and still maintain a 4.0. However, college is much different and even there, your gpa is a not a very good indicator of how smart you are.

jimmy217 · Answer

i usually get a high gpa but I'm not very smart so I don't think its a accurate way to measure intelligence

mjmlag · Answer

I'm smart in a way of working things out logicly, but everything else about my head is average. I can't even be bothered to study so I don't go that well at school.

RememberWhenItRained · Answer

a lot of people think I am but I don't think so. just average.

Kain6th · Answer

I'm smart but im... well apathetic towards my academic life mostly. Can't explain why. :-\

NonchalantBro · Answer

when I bother to try, and care, yes.

slipslender · Answer

yup.

Dom163 · Answer

Yeah I'm a nerd

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