Academic Preparation

All exams are not created equal

However one defines academic exams, they are not all the same animal. At certain levels an exam is intended to demonstrate that the participant has attained a grasp of a defined body of knowledge. As one moves on, that grasp is assumed and those factors which set applicants apart are reasoning, abstract thinking and problem solving capability.

Traditional tutoring and test practice have some positive benefit but at the end of the day, those who excel have shown superior reasoning, comprehension and analytical abilities. Abstract constructs can not be acquired by rote practice or tutoring.

How Good Is Your Working Memory?

Science now tells us that working memory strength and not IQ is the best predictor of academic success, and might be the single most important factor in determining general intelligence.

Working memory is central to all human thought processes. It is certainly useful and flexible, but information held in working memory is easily lost through distraction or overload. There is also a substantial variation in working memory capacity between individuals. Those with poor capacities will therefore struggle to meet the heavy working memory demands of many situations, of which the classroom is a prime example.

Standardized tests focus to a large degree on measuring problem-solving and analytical skills. The College Board proclaims that the SAT, for example, does not test IQ.

Then something else is needed to score well!

That something else is heightened fluid intelligence coupled to a vigorous working memory.

Brain Magic uses among its several protocols a strtategy devised bu scientists at the University of Bern Switzerland. The training resulted in an increase in 40% fluid intelligence and an increase of working memory of 50-80% as a result of the exercises. Furthermore, it was demonstarated that the extent of the gain in intelligence critically depends upon the amount of training: the more training, the more improvement. That is, the training is dose dependent.

This is profound. The more you train the more you gain.

Beautiful research work was recently done with British elementary school students, targeting those children floundering with test results in the bottom 10% of their classes. Following 8 weeks of working memory training, one hour per week, the children elevated their scores to the top 3% of their classes. The children accrued the additional benefit of an average of 10 IQ points increase over that time.

Brain Magic

Brain Magic improves focus, attention, working memory, fluid intelligence, confidence and competence. It is a strong adjunct to regular test preparation methods.

While better exam results are important, the true benefits of working memory training are demonstrated irrespective of particular test needs. Fluid intelligence is closely related to professional and educational success especially in complex and demanding environments. Fluid intelligence is a complex human ability that allows us to adapt our thinking to a new cognitive problem or situation. This is critical for a wide variety of cognitive tasks, and it is considered one of the most important factors in learning.

Budgeting your time in exam preparation is critical. Don’t waste it. Brain Magic is available to you. This graduated computer training is done online at your convenience and it is tailored to consult with you along the way and adjust automatically to your growing skills. It is enjoyable and productive and gives you a leg up whether you are an elementary student, a job applicant or an aspirant to higher education.

Increasing Fluid Intelligence Is Possible After all

http://www.pnas.org/content/105/19/6791.full

Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory

http://www.pnas.org/content/105/19/6829.full?sid=24bc6e06-13eb-4013-81c1-7eb2200e207b

The efficacy of working memory training in improving crystallized intelligence

http://precedings.nature.com/documents/3697/version/1/html

Brain-Training To Improve Memory Boosts Fluid Intelligence

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505075642.htm

Computer Exercises Improve Memory And Attention, Study Suggests

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211161932.htm

Working memory: Is it the newIQ?

http://precedings.nature.com/documents/2343/version/1