How is it I got such a high GRE score?

Question

I didn't cheat. I didn't study either. But then I get my scores back and I'm thinking "you know, I don't really care," but they end up being over 90th percentile in everything except Math and the only group of people with higher average scores in that area were people looking to go into physics and engineering graduate programs.

So I don't get it. I don't FEEL particularly bright. I went to a rather average public high school. Sure, I went to college, but I wasn't getting the best grades there. I went to an MA program, but my advisor hated me because I blew things off and got a B- in her class so she refused to give me a recommendation. Whatever. It was a boring and stupid project with obvious results.

What I don't get is this: how is it I score so darm much higher than so many people worldwide? What the heck?

I'm in a job that pays less than $40k/year. How could I be THAT intelligent??

Feh. What a pointless test.

Answer 1

Many critics of standardized testing say that all they measure is one's ability to take tests, not necessarily innate intelligence or subject knowledge.  I agree, but test-taking ability is also a very useful skill!  Congrats to you, and maybe you can parley it into a fabulous high-paying career.

Answer 2

There are a lot of possible answers to your question, but I will try and point you to the right one.

First consider this.  If you gave one million monkeys a typewriter, one of them would probably produce a poem just by randomnly hitting the keys.  

So, you could just be a lucky monkey, who, although you are dumb, you hit the right answers and got a hi score.

Of course, the odds of that are small.

More likely, you are a very bright guy who just never got wind into his sails.   That means, that some very smart and/or talented people wind up doing things that never allows them to show their stuff.  

Here is a story that illustrates that point.  When I worked at one of the national labs I heard  it.   There was a kid who came to work as one of the cleaning staff straight from high school.   After a while, he showed some interest in the machine shop, and a foreman gave him a shot at learning how to use the machines and he proved to be a quick study.

Within a few years, his boss realized that this guy was exceptionally quick and smart, and encouraged himi to take some college courses.   The kids aced them, and went on to finish college, and then get an advanced degree - a Ph.D.

When I finally met him he had become of the the top materials scientists in the country.

So sometimes, very bright people just don't know it, or are not encouraged to reach their potential - and sometimes they do.    Its often a matter of luck.   That guy could have remained a very good machinist all of this life.   He is now one of the worlds expert metalurgists, and gives talks all over the world.  

I don't know where you fit in, but one thing for sure, don't let circumstances define you.   If you are smart, figure out what do do with you life that will give you satisfaction.  My first guess is tha tyou can probably figure out how to get yourself educated and appreciated at more than $40k per year.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

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Because the GRE doesn't require you to know anything.  I graduated normally in four years, but I passed my high school exit exam when I was a freshman.  What's sad is that people still fail these exams, even when they're seniors... So pathetic how dumb people are these days.

"Find the area of a square."  Good god, are you freaking kidding me?

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Oh oops, GRE, I'm thinking of the GCE or w/e it's called for those who are trying to graduate early from HS. =)

That's pretty impressive though, good job.