Firstly, I would like to ask you all a simple question. What are grades? Are they a foolproof means of measuring one’s intelligence quotient or are they just indicators of one’s performance in an exam? Well, according to me, examination grades are just broad indicators of one’s performance in that particular examination, based on certain marking criteria and, therefore are not a sure shot measure of judging one’s intelligence. For instance, good grades can be obtained by selective studying which will definitely limit the intelligence of a student but may ensure that they get good marks in the exams. Contrary to this, an intelligent student may not be able to get good grades in an exam. Perhaps their answers may not match a required quality, as they understood the subject but had not merely memorised the syllabus.
All I wish to point out here is that, while grades are being used as the most common way to determine a student’s intellect, they may not always be reliable. Several kids these days are very smart and intelligent but get poor grades in examinations. So, this itself amply proves that exam grades are not an accurate way of determining one’s overall intelligence. If we were to convince ourselves that school grades are the sole basis of one’s intelligence and smartness, we would simply be implying that all those who have not achieved high marks in school are not intelligent. The classroom is at times too small a place to judge a student’s brilliance!
Secondly, intelligence is also a result of experience gained over a period of time. Our experience of interacting with various people, situations and places goes a long way in shaping our intelligence and common sense. However, experience can’t simply be gained by getting good grades in school. Circumstances – things like college support, class, medical issues, friendships formed, upbringing and lifestyle – all have an impact on grades. There are too many intervening variables that determine one’s intelligence and grades earned in an exam may be just one of them. Someone may be good at Arts, but poor in Mathematics. This surely does not mean that they are not smart enough. It just means that their mind works in a different way. Just judging them on the basis of grades would be unfair, in my opinion.
Thirdly, I would like to substantiate my opinion with historical real-life examples of great geniuses who performed abysmally in their school education but were great minds whose inventions and thinking changed the course of human development. Some of these geniuses were Albert Einstein, Issac Newton and Thomas Edison.
Hence, I believe that intelligence can’t be adequately graded only by the means of an exam as it is a very broad concept derived from many factors which are not limited to one’s performance in an examination. I would also like to know what your opinions are on this issue, so please do comment with your views, participate in this poll and also share this article with your friends and family!