GPA and the Greats: Grades of High Achievers

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between academic grades and high achievements, particularly in the context of notable figures such as Nobel Prize winners. Participants explore whether there is a correlation between grades and success in research and science, as well as the availability of specific grades for historical figures like Einstein, Witten, and Feynman.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that high achievers, such as Nobel Prize winners, likely had high grades, prompting inquiries into studies on this correlation.
  • Others argue that grades reflect performance in classes rather than research capabilities, indicating that success in academia and research may not be closely related.
  • One participant posits that if grading systems function correctly, there should be a strong correlation between high grades and high achievements.
  • Another participant counters that striving for high grades can limit time for broader learning, suggesting that high grades do not necessarily indicate talent in a specific subject.
  • Concerns are raised about the impact of performance anxiety on exam results, which may distort the representation of a student's capabilities through grades.
  • A later reply questions the value of speculating about the grades of historical figures, noting that such information is typically not public and may lead to unfounded conclusions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correlation between grades and achievements, with no consensus reached on the validity of such a relationship. Some emphasize the disconnect between academic performance and research success, while others maintain that high grades are indicative of understanding and capability.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of access to specific grade information for historical figures and the potential influence of external factors like performance anxiety on grading outcomes.

riccitensor
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I was curious, about the relation of grades to high achievments. It's safe to assume, that most Nobel Prize winners for instance had rather high grades. Does anyone know if there has been studies of grades of high achievers?

More in particular, where can one find the grades of Einstein, Witten, Feynman and similar people?
 
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Grades record how well you did in classes. You don't get graded on your research, and research is what defines a good scientist. So while great scientists had to do well enough to get through grad school, the two skills sets - doing well in classes and doing well in research - aren't really that closely related. Plenty of people can succeed at one and suck at the other.
 
If the system works correctly, a grade is assigned to your level of understanding of the material. I would surmise a strong correlation between high grades and high achievements.
 
aspiring_one said:
If the system works correctly, a grade is assigned to your level of understanding of the material. I would surmise a strong correlation between high grades and high achievements.

Not necessarily. One that happens is that if you work harder for an A instead of a B, you end up with less time to study things that aren't assigned in the curriculum.
 
twofish-quant said:
Not necessarily. One that happens is that if you work harder for an A instead of a B, you end up with less time to study things that aren't assigned in the curriculum.

True. There should be some form of correlation, that is to say that people with very low grades usually aren't that good. But e.g. difference between 4.0 and below isn't related to talent. These people usually are good at studying, not at a special subject in itself.

Besides there are additional factors to consider, e.g. performance anxiety during exams, which hinders the flow. This is why most instititutions think of the grades more to "get an idea" of what the student is capable of.
 
I think a discussion of what other people might have gotten for grades is pointless speculation. I also suspect that, since grades are not public, this discussion will not be able to transition to one based on facts instead of speculation.
 

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