degrees of consciousness

i'm beginning to believe there are just different degrees of consciousness. that a person whom others label "intelligent" is really just more aware of his capabilities and how to take advantage of them to a higher degree than are others.

for example, this person is aware of the fact that 8+2=10; he is also aware of the fact that 27 is seven more than 20, and 83 is three more than 80 and that 7+3=10. so very quickly he can tell you that 83+27 is 80+20+3+7 = 100+10=110. he might seem smart because he can answer much more quickly than others in his class, but i think he's just more conscious of what he already knows and of how to use what he already knows to find what he does not.