INTELLIGENCE AS A DETERMINANT OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HIGH ACHIEVERS AND UNDERACHIEVERS

A measure of the fluid intelligence, involving normative data standardization of Raven's Progressive Standard Matrices in Pakistani norms in international context is used which has enabled the role of fluid intelligence in academic achievement in the adolescent to be examined. The present study aimed to explore the role of fluid intelligence in academic achievement of adolescents with specific interest in difference of fluid intelligence between high achievers and underachievers. Data was drawn from 245 students of the mainstream private schools of Karachi through convenience sampling. From the collected data, scores of 199 students who attained cut off average fluid intelligence score were analyzed. This pool of scores included 115 high achievers and 84 underachievers. Fluid intelligence was measured through Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM; Raven, 1983) and the previous exam overall percentage was used as a parameter for measuring academic achievement. Statistical analysis using SPSS revealed a significant positive association between academic achievement and fluid intelligence. Results also indicated a significant difference of fluid intelligence between high academic achievers and underachievers. Further theoretical and practical implications for schools and researchers are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the utility of understanding the role of fluid intelligence in academic achievement among adolescents will be explored.