The study found that, “at least in 2012, Democrats were more likely than Republicans to have attended an elite school and to be in the top percentile of ability.” Women were underrepresented among all groups, but to a lesser degree among Democrats and federal judges, and to a greater degree among CEOs, Republicans and billionaires. The women who became Fortune 500 CEOs, although quite low in number, “were smarter and attended a more prestigious school than their male counterparts,” according to the study.
Wai told Private Wealth that he doesn’t have an explanation for the differing results based on political party affiliation or gender. He also says he would have preferred to have had individual test scores for the study. But, overall, he believes average scores are a valid measure of intelligence.
Wai’s study also notes that just because someone goes to a top-tier school, it doesn’t prove he or she is intellectually gifted. Many of these schools admit students who do not meet test score criteria based on other factors, such as having athletic ability or a family relation to alumni of the institution.
Wai acknowledges that his study has limitations when it comes to measuring achievement. “Certainly luck has a role to play. Social skills have a role to play. Motivation, drive, willingness to work really long hours—these are all important factors,” he says. “All I’m arguing is that intelligence is one factor in success.”