University examination scores and academic achievement tend to be highly correlated, according to research. However, research also shows that the correlation isn’t always a good indicator of success. If you were to choose between a person with an average IQ score and a person with an extremely high IQ score, you’d probably expect the former to outperform the latter in most fields, including science and mathematics, when those fields require constant and sustained thought. Yet when it comes to hiring people to do university examination, employers often choose candidates whose IQs fall within the “normal range.”
Why is correlation of academic achievement and intelligence so high? There may be several explanations. For example, IQ tests reflect one aspect of intelligence: the ability to learn from experience, and adapt to new environments, for instance. However, it may not always be important to measure intelligence. In other words, IQ scores may not tell employers how good a person’s reasoning is or whether their decision-making is sound, although they may provide an indication of their intellectual aptitude.
On the other hand, the correlation between academic achievement and IQ scores can’t always mean that the same person is smarter than another. Consider two identical twins who are identical on almost all aspects of intelligence, but who are of different races. If the identical twins are genetically identical on both variables, then they will both have an equal chance of passing a standardized IQ test.
Even if one twin has the higher IQ score or equivalent academic achievement, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the other will have a better chance of landing a job, because employers are looking at people’s resumes, not just their IQ scores. If a prospective employee has only the highest GPA in college, employers won’t think of him or her as “gifted” just because the person has the highest IQ score. In addition, academic achievement is only one aspect of academic aptitude – employers will consider candidates’ academic writing skills, critical thinking abilities, their leadership abilities, communication skills, and extracurricular activities, as well as their test scores on standardized examinations.
So, can it be that some people who have high IQ scores are actually more talented than others who have low score? This is unlikely, according to many sociologists, because most people have average or above-average academic ability. What’s more, it may simply be because people with high academic ability have good communication and leadership skills, and are more likely to interact well in a team setting. If someone has great communication and leadership skills, then he or she is more likely to perform well in such situations.
On the other hand, it may be true that some people with high test scores also have high social intelligence, which refers to their ability to interact well with people and work as a team, which is what employers look for. This type of social intelligence is a necessary skill to succeed in many different settings. Social intelligence is also a required skill in academic settings.
Because correlation is very difficult to demonstrate, it is likely that employers, when choosing someone to do university examination, will look at academic achievement and academic intelligence. They are not interested in candidates’ IQ scores. If you’re applying to get a job, you don’t need to worry too much about this, unless you want to improve your score. If, on the other hand, your goal is to get ahead in the workplace, then there are several things you should consider to improve your academic and social intelligence. These include working at improving your communication and leadership skills, working on your writing skills, working on your presentation skills, and working on your interpersonal skills.
