> How does a standardized test benefit nonconformists? Because it's an objective standard? You don't have to kiss your teacher's ass for good grades, you don't

> How does a standardized test benefit nonconformists? Because it's an objective standard? You don't have to kiss your teacher's ass for good grades, you don't have to conform to extracurriculars to boost your standing, you don't have to frame your essay to win favors from the reader, etc. It's the only test that you don't depend on anyone else for. > but nonconformists and smart people are not the same thing. That's why he wrote "smart nonconformist kids". The intersection of smart kids and nonconformist kids.