Correlating IQ and STEM performance

[symbolipoint]

@OmCheeto,
One must worry about development time and conditioning time. Description gave strikes like a Get Rich Quick Scheme.

 

[mathwonk]

In some PhD programs, one earns a masters by progressing far enough to pass the prelim exams. A long time ago, I walked into the UWa math dept, was allowed to sit for, and passed, their math PhD prelims in one sitting, never having registered for any class there. Did I earn a masters in that one day (or maybe it was a week), or was it done over the several prior years I spent preparing on my own, while teaching community college? My point is one can earn an exam- based BS in the time it takes to sit for the exam, provided one knows all the material.

 

[Matterwave]

A long time ago, I walked into the UWa math dept, was allowed to sit for, and passed, their math PhD prelims in one sitting, never having registered for any class there.

You just love taking tests that much?

 

[mathwonk]

I do sometimes enjoy taking tests, but my goal was to earn a PhD. After that sitting, UWa offered me a fellowship. Test taking can be a profit - making enterprise, if you are good at it.

I enjoyed meat lugging too, but it only paid $4 an hour. A multi -year fellowship for a few hours work beats that hollow, at least financially, even if it doesn't feel as beneficial physically.

 

[bhobba]

Is that even possible to get a BS in one year?

Yes - by competency based degrees and dedication.

They are fully accedited degrees like the one at East Texas A&M

https://www.etamu.edu/cbe/

Thanks
Bill

 

[sbrothy]

my 2 cents:
To my knowledge, IQ tests aim to measure in part:
vocabulary, analogies, memory, numerical problem solving, spatial skills, and mental speed.
These attributes are helpful in pursuing stem subjects, but possibly even more important are:
interest, curiosity, creativity, and especially stamina/persistence.

That said, in my uni grad math program, essentially no candidate succeeded who had lower than a 640 math GRE score. I admitted several unfortunate cases before I realized that sobering fact, having previously disparaged the meaningfulness of standardized tests. I learned that recommendation letters are indeed helpful, but comparatively speaking, standardized scores don't lie.

It doesn't really surpise me. Why else would they be so prevalent and popular among employers etc?

I've seen several applications used to design standardized tests and it's an entire industry.

 

[jedishrfu]

I don't think you can suppress geniuses like Einstein, von Braun or Gauss. They'll make themselves noticed.

And yet Ramanujan almost did slip through the cracks if not for some special people in India and Hardy and Littlewood in England.