I am trying to track down a short story I remember vividly but can't remember author or source. Probably a short story collection like Hugo winners or similar, pre 1980:
Storyline:
A teen (girl?) is tested to determine what job she should do. Once tested you are "auto-trained" by machine/tape to a skill. She is told her brain can't be "auto-trained" and so sent to a place for rejects to live where they just hang out. She rebels, escapes and tries to explain why actually learning things is better so you can retool rather than your auto training becoming obsolete. In the end she learns this was a test and she is part of an "elite" group that actually can and does learn, but they needed to see if she was motivated to explore or just smart enough to understand the value of learning.
Storyline:
A teen (girl?) is tested to determine what job she should do. Once tested you are "auto-trained" by machine/tape to a skill. She is told her brain can't be "auto-trained" and so sent to a place for rejects to live where they just hang out. She rebels, escapes and tries to explain why actually learning things is better so you can retool rather than your auto training becoming obsolete. In the end she learns this was a test and she is part of an "elite" group that actually can and does learn, but they needed to see if she was motivated to explore or just smart enough to understand the value of learning.
