The Lesson to Unlearn

The most detrimental lesson you may have learned in school wasn't from a specific class, but rather the pursuit of good grades. This pursuit often overshadows genuine learning. Tests, in theory, should gauge what you've learned in a class. However, in practice, they often become the main focus of studying, with actual learning taking a backseat.

The problem deepens when we realize that most tests don't accurately measure what they're supposed to. They are often hackable, with students focusing on specific chunks of information likely to appear on the test, rather than gaining a comprehensive understanding of the subject. This approach is reinforced by the fact that grades are often the primary measure of a student's success, influencing their opportunities for scholarships, graduate programs, and employment.

The issue extends beyond classroom tests. The college admissions process, for example, is highly hackable, with high school students often engaging in very specific activities to increase their chances of acceptance. Entire industries have emerged to help students hack this system.

The problem is not the act of hacking itself, but the fact that these tests are hackable in the first place. They don't accurately measure what they're intended to, leading to a distorted view of success.

This issue is not confined to the education system. It permeates many areas of life, including work. However, there are fields where success is determined by doing good work rather than hacking bad tests. Startups and writing are two examples where success is often determined by the quality of the product or content produced.

The key takeaway is that we need to unlearn the habit of hacking bad tests. We need to focus on doing good work rather than trying to game a flawed system. This shift in mindset could liberate a tremendous amount of energy and potential, leading to more authentic learning and success.

The original article: https://paulgraham.com/lesson.html