Short-term memory to achieve a good score is neither LEARNING nor UNDERSTANDING and therefore not a measure of intelligence. IMO, the best and only test of knowledge of specific subject matter is essay Q&amp;A. That shows one’s true reasoning ability as well as grasp of the subject matter. It also reveals what the essayist doesn’t know … yet. This is even more important, because when you learn what you don’t know, you’re able to concentrate on specific areas for learning and understanding. Just remember that the more you know, the more you realize that you don’t know. Socrates taught me that, and so much more.<br><br>ETA: Regatta is the word that knocked me out of my grade school county-wide spelling competition. I didn’t complain, but you can bet your bippie that I learned (1) what a regatta is and (2) how to spell it. I’m smarter than your average bear, Boo-boo. Also, I hate time-limit tests because I’m unable to ruminate comfortably. And I love homework; even though I haven’t been in school for almost 30 years (I’m almost 70), I still give myself “homework” about whatever I’m curious about. There isn’t much about which I’m not curious.<br><br>College “success” is less about learning or understanding, more about test-taking ability and knowledge of how best to regurgitate what’s been fed to you. Maybe that’s changed … but I doubt it. I completely agree that, for me at least, life has been and continues to be one lifelong learning experience.