Scientists have identified more than 200 genes potentially associated with academic performance in schoolchildren

Those schoolchildren possessing the right combinations achieved significantly better results in numeracy, literacy and science. The finding emerged from a study of more than 4000 British children to pinpoint the genes and genetic combinations that influence reasoning skills and general intelligence. One of its main conclusions is that intelligence is controlled by a network of thousands of genes with each making just a small contribution to overall intelligence, rather than the handful of powerful genes that scientists once predicted. The researchers believe their work could eventually lead to genetic tests to predict babies' academic potential.