Many students believe that math is an inherited ability — either they have the math gene, or they don ’ t. but a recent research shows that inborn talent might not be as important as we think. I n the long run, the most successful students are often those who work the hardest, not those with the highest IQ ’ s. These students believe that perseverance, not an innate gift, is the key to achievement. I n her book Mindset, The New Psychology of Success , Carol Dweck argues that a positive mindset is what makes some students push themselves when others give up. Students with a “ fixed ” mindset believe that they were born with a certain set of talents. T hey see challenges as a sign that they ’ ve reached the limit on their potential, and view challenges as a chance to learn and improve. T hey know that their intelligence can be built through experience and effort, and are not held back by the idea of inborn restrictions. Geoff Colvin delivers a similar message in his book, Talent Is Overrated . H e demonstrates that success is almost always the result of what he calls “ deliberate practice ” , a concentrated effort to improve one ’ s skills through focused effort. I nborn talent might make a difference when a subject is first tackled, but years later it ’ s the hard workers who are the most successful. Math teacher Kim Callan agrees: “ It is rare for a hard-working student to fail my class. ” H aving the right mindset is critical to success. C hildren need to believe in their ability to overcome challenges through concentrated effort. I f you place your child in the right math class and encourage her to work hard, there ’ s no limit to what she will be able to accomplish.