“Who me?” you ask. “The one who can’t pass geometry?”

Yes, you. Maybe geometry isn’t your area of intelligence. A lot of times people such as your teachers or your parents think of “smart” as straight A’s on a report card. But there’s more to life than a report card. There’s real life. And that’s what really counts. In the 1980s Howard Gardner wrote a book that said there are eight kinds of smart. Take the quiz below to see what kind of smart you are. Circle as many answers as describe you.

1. The spring dance is coming up. You volunteer to
a. write an article about it for the newspaper.
b. plan the budget to make sure there’s enough money.
c. make posters to hang in the school hallways.
d. teach everyone some new dances you’ve mastered.
e. audition bands to get just the right one.
f. work with the heads of each committee to make sure everyone works together well.
g. do nothing. You feel too uneasy about your date for the dance.
h. find wildflowers to decorate the tables.

2. Your grandmother asks what you want for your birthday. You tell her
a. a book of poems and a crossword puzzle dictionary.
b. a new calculator or a vacation-planner software package.
c. a watercolor set or a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle.
d. a racquetball racquet or new jogging shoes.
e. a new CD or piano lessons.
f. Outburst, Scattergories or another game to play with your friends.
g. a diary or journal.
h. a telescope or a nature guidebook.

3. It’s time for the academic fair. Everyone has to do a project of some sort. You decide to
a. make a book of essays and poems demonstrating the styles you’ve learned in composition class.
b. write a step-by-step argument defending your beliefs about the earth’s origins.
c. build a 3-D model of the solar system.
d. do a live demonstration of how muscle groups work together.
e. make a display of musical instruments built from things found in your kitchen.
f. host a mock talk show about the Boston Tea Party by having your friends pretend they either took part or were eyewitnesses.
g. make a chart showing how to set and reach personal goals.
h. have a slide show of pictures you took of the constellations.

4. Your family is planning a vacation. You say you don’t care where you go as long as you can
a. take a pile of magazines to read on the beach.
b. plan the route and figure out how much gas it will take to get there.
c. have time to sketch interesting houses.
d. run on the beach every morning before sightseeing.
e. listen to your CD player in the car.
f. hang out with other teens in the evening.
g. have time alone to journal.
h. collect interesting rocks or shells.

Now count how many a’s you circled, how many b’s and so on. Most people have a little ability in all of the areas. Many have two or three strong areas. Use the chart below to find out which kind of smart you are.

Mostly a’s: You’re Word-smart (linguistic intelligence) You like to read, write and communicate by writing or speaking. You might become a famous author, speaker, comedian or lawyer.

Mostly b’s: You’re Math-and Science-smart (logical-mathematical intelligence) You find calculating numbers easy. Logical problems and reasoning come easily to you. You might become an engineer, accountant, detective or a science teacher.

Mostly c’s: You’re Art-smart (visual-spatial) You can think in pictures and visualize things in your mind. You might become an interior designer, architect, sculptor or photographer.

Mostly d’s: You’re Sports-smart (bodily-kinesthetic intelligence) You have excellent coordination, can quickly master new sports and enjoy dancing, acting and making things with your hands. You might become a construction worker, professional athlete, dancer or actress.

Mostly e’s: You’re Music-smart (musical intelligence) You can compose music, play an instrument, sing, feel rhythm and keep a beat. You might become a famous pianist, singer or composer.

Mostly f’s: You’re People-smart (interpersonal intelligence) You like to be with other people. You understand what makes your friends act the way they do. You understand what motivates people, and you empathize with them. You’ll make a good teacher, therapist, counselor, sales person or politician.

Mostly g’s: You’re Self-smart (intrapersonal intelligence) You can analyze yourself and your feelings. You spend time alone thinking or journaling. You review your accomplishments and failures, and learn from both. You may become a philosopher, counselor or performer.

Mostly h’s: You’re Nature-smart (naturalist intelligence) You quickly learn the names of things in nature. Everywhere you look, you see patterns in nature. You know how to use the earth and its resources productively. You may become a botanist, biologist, environmentalist or farmer.

Did you find the areas in which you’re smart? These areas are just as important for succeeding in life as being able to pass a math or history test.

Do your best in all subjects at school, but also work on developing those areas in which you show potential. Look for classes and lessons in your community that will help you. And remember, no matter what kind of smart you are, God can use you to do His will. People-smart? You might be a Christian counselor or youth leader. Nature-smart? You could work at a Christian retreat center. Music-smart? You may be part of a praise band. No matter where your abilities are, ask God to use you to accomplish great things for Him.