Correlation between iq and grades
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Correlation Between IQ and Grades
Introduction to IQ and Academic Performance
The relationship between intelligence quotient (IQ) and academic performance has been a focal point of educational research for decades. Understanding this correlation is crucial for educators, policymakers, and researchers aiming to enhance educational outcomes.
Meta-Analysis of IQ and School Grades
A comprehensive meta-analysis involving 240 independent samples with over 105,000 participants found a significant correlation between IQ and school grades, with a population correlation of ρ = .54. This indicates that intelligence is a strong predictor of scholastic achievement. The study also highlighted that the strength of this relationship varies depending on the school subject, grade level, and type of intelligence test used, but not by gender.
Grades, Achievement Tests, and Personality
While IQ is a significant predictor of academic performance, grades and achievement tests often provide a more comprehensive measure of a student's capabilities. This is because they capture aspects of personality, such as motivation and perseverance, which are also predictive of life outcomes. Research shows that personality traits are more influential in predicting grades, whereas IQ is more critical for achievement test scores. Consequently, both grades and achievement tests are better predictors of important life outcomes than IQ alone.
Predictors of Future Academic Achievement
In younger students, particularly those with reading disabilities, cognitive-linguistic measures such as phonemic awareness, verbal memory, and rapid naming are crucial predictors of future academic success. For normally achieving students, early literacy scores are the best indicators of later achievement. This suggests that while IQ is important, other cognitive skills also play a significant role in academic performance.
Self-Assessed Intelligence and Academic Performance
A longitudinal study on British undergraduates found that self-assessed intelligence (SAI) correlates significantly with academic performance, even when controlling for IQ. This suggests that students' perceptions of their intelligence can influence their academic outcomes. Continuous assessment indicators like attendance, oral expression, and motivation also showed significant correlations with SAI, highlighting the multifaceted nature of academic success.
IQ and Achievement in Early Education
In early education, specifically in grades 2 and 4, IQ has been found to be a strong predictor of academic achievement. However, the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) scores in grade 2 were the best predictors of achievement in grade 4, suggesting that while IQ is important, standardized test scores can provide additional predictive value for future academic performance.
Conclusion
The correlation between IQ and grades is well-established, with intelligence being a strong predictor of academic success. However, grades and achievement tests, which encompass personality traits and other cognitive skills, often provide a more holistic measure of a student's potential. Understanding these dynamics can help educators and policymakers develop more effective strategies to support student achievement.
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