The hypothesis tested was that children with higher school grades would exhibit delayed gratification and superior motoric ability. 360 Israeli-born children in Grades 1 to 4 were given the Draw-a-Line Test, in which they were asked to draw a vertical line as slowly as possible between two horizontal lines. They were also given a choice between a small candy bar which they would receive immediately or a larger one which they receive in the future. Each child's grades in 5 school subjects were recorded. No consistent pattern was found between school grades and choice of candy. However, in each school subject it took the unsuccessful children (“passing,” “almost passing”) less time to draw the line.
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