How important is intelligence for performing well in school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was in grad school for my MAEd, I remember someone saying that the "120 over-achievers" were often the best students. I have not seen this idea anywhere else, but I guess the idea is that above average, but not off the charts, intelligence combined with a strong work ethic and EF skills often translates into success.

Warren Buffett has said that he doesn't look for anyone with an IQ above 140. An IQ of 140 plus good character and work ethic is the secret recipe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was in grad school for my MAEd, I remember someone saying that the "120 over-achievers" were often the best students. I have not seen this idea anywhere else, but I guess the idea is that above average, but not off the charts, intelligence combined with a strong work ethic and EF skills often translates into success.

Warren Buffett has said that he doesn't look for anyone with an IQ above 140. An IQ of 140 plus good character and work ethic is the secret recipe

I don’t get how everyone knows their IQ. I doubt half of the of numbers people claim are accurate. Plus very few people have a 140 IQ so who really cares.

[Anonymous]

Intelligence definitely gives you a major boost, but you need drive as well. I got a few Bs in 6th grade, and once I figured out the 'formula' I was able to get straight As through the end of high school (including all IB classes junior and senior years). I was willing to pull really late nights to ensure I always got my homework in on time, though. Granted, good organizational and time management skills would have been better than staying up all night, but the basic point is that I really, really wanted to get straight As, so I did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What intelligence is needed to get straight As in AP courses?

Average or above, as long as the student is motivated and willing to put in the work.

And doesn't have EF deficits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What intelligence is needed to get straight As in AP courses?

Average or above, as long as the student is motivated and willing to put in the work.

And doesn't have EF deficits.

EF deficits often present as lack of motivation, but agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was in grad school for my MAEd, I remember someone saying that the "120 over-achievers" were often the best students. I have not seen this idea anywhere else, but I guess the idea is that above average, but not off the charts, intelligence combined with a strong work ethic and EF skills often translates into success.

120 IQ is the 91st percentile, so yes, one would expect high performance.

[Anonymous]

It's also about how you study. If you just reread or highlight, you will not do nearly as well as if you focus on active recall and other evidence-based techniques

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was in grad school for my MAEd, I remember someone saying that the "120 over-achievers" were often the best students. I have not seen this idea anywhere else, but I guess the idea is that above average, but not off the charts, intelligence combined with a strong work ethic and EF skills often translates into success.

Warren Buffett has said that he doesn't look for anyone with an IQ above 140. An IQ of 140 plus good character and work ethic is the secret recipe

what's wrong with 145 + those things?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's also about how you study. If you just reread or highlight, you will not do nearly as well as if you focus on active recall and other evidence-based techniques

This.

My brother was an All American athlete and 4.0 and Phi Beta Kappa in math at a respected university.

He would tutor his teammates (some of whom were not well prepared) on active recall and synthesizing work to adduce critical thinking. He recently passed away, and at the memorial service several of his athletic colleagues said he was the reason they graduated. I used his techniques and did extraordinarily well with them, way above my ability.

A PhD econometrics guy, he discounted IQ more than I would have guessed - averring that executive function, work ethic and behavioral stability mattered more than IQ. Psychometric testing experts typically analyze large populations, and while their conclusions have some validity, they don’t matter much when it comes to individuals. One thing the IQ tests don’t do well is measure the “spiky” nature of intelligent as it relates to particular skills. Many high IQ people are far better off not knowing their scores and should just focus on being productive and happy.