Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Book smarts refer to academic knowledge or proficiency in subjects learned in school.
Related terms
Academic Intelligence: This is essentially another term for 'book smarts'. It refers to an individual's ability to learn from textbooks and excel in an academic setting. It's like having a built-in highlighter that helps you pick up important points from a textbook.
Knowledge Retention: The ability to retain and recall information that has been learned. It's like having a well-organized filing cabinet in your brain where you store and retrieve information as needed.
Analytical Intelligence: One of three types identified by psychologist Robert Sternberg, it involves problem-solving abilities, logical reasoning, and the ability to analyze abstract concepts. Think of it as being good at solving puzzles or riddles.