Old sci fi Book similar to the new film divergent

[canis01]

There is a new film coming out called Divergent, it reminds me of an old sci fi book, The plot is similar , the children are "programmed" instead of going to school, everyone can be programmed to read and write but they are tested to see what they can do, and then they are programmed for a skill, Doctor, engineer etc, however the main character is not able to programmed one of a few that can't and is sent to a camp, I think it's a camp anyway, where he has to learn the old fashioned way, but he leaves (escapes ? ) where he sees someone who he knew and this person attacks him and asks for his credentials, he runs away, can't remember the rest, would anyone know the name of this book and author ?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

There is a new film coming out called Divergent, it reminds me of an old sci fi book, The plot is similar , the children are "programmed" instead of going to school, everyone can be programmed to read and write but they are tested to see what they can do, and then they are programmed for a skill, Doctor, engineer etc, however the main character is not able to programmed one of a few that can't and is sent to a camp, I think it's a camp anyway, where he has to learn the old fashioned way, but he leaves (escapes ? ) where he sees someone who he knew and this person attacks him and asks for his credentials, he runs away, can't remember the rest, would anyone know the name of this book and author ?

Is there a scene on an escalator where the programmed all fall in a heap and the non-programmed protagonist (green haired?) side-steps it.

If so, I've been looking for it for ages.

Oh, hi, welcome, waves from the freezing north.

 

[Vince W]

Sounds similar to Asmiov's novella Profession.

 

[PaulMmn]

Seconds on Asimov's, "Profession." I wonder if they paid Ike's estate for the plot...

 

[canis01]

Thank you all for your help with this, it was indeed Asmiov's novella Profession that I remember reading.