Angela Duckworth has focused her research on two
traits that predict achievement—grit and self-control.
Across six investigations, researchers studied
National Spelling Bee finalists, New Point cadets,
educational attainment of adults, and grade point
average for Ivy League undergraduates (Duckworth,
Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007). Duckworth
and her colleagues found that grit—the tendency
to sustain interest in and effort toward very longterm
goals—contributes significantly to successful
outcomes. In short, grit is a better predictor of high
school graduation and grade point average than IQ
(Duckworth, 2013). Add to this the findings of Bowen,
Chingos, and McPherson (2009), who found
that high school grades are better predictors of college
success than standardized tests. In other words,
grittier students who stick with the day-to-day work
during high school are more successful in college.