<s>[INST] I'm starting to think that there's a very low correlation between the grade
you receive in CS and your ability to actually do coding. It's annoying
because it's hard to know whether someone is actually good at coding or
if they just had a generous professor.
That's a very valid concern! The relationship between academic grades and
real-world skills is a topic of ongoing debate in education and
industry. Here are some possible reasons why grades might not always
reflect coding ability:

1.  **Teaching methods and focus**: Academic programs often prioritize
    theoretical foundations over practical skills, which might not
    translate directly to real-world coding challenges.
2.  **Assessment methods**: Grades are often based on exams, quizzes, and
    assignments that may not accurately reflect a student's ability to
    design, develop, and maintain complex software systems.
3.  **Diverse student backgrounds and learning styles**: Students may
    have varying levels of prior experience, learning styles, and
    learning paces, which can affect their grades but not necessarily
    their coding abilities.
4.  **Subjective grading**: Instructors' grading styles and biases can
    influence grades, and some may place more emphasis on certain skills
    or aspects of coding over others.

**What can you do to assess someone's coding skills more accurately?[/INST]