if i may as well
well you forgot to mention the one that got the lower grade exceeds in their physicality, a better athlete and much more pleasing to the eye...
life is consequence and we are subjected to these consequences...
No I gave a specific situation with a specific outcome, and asked the following. Do we value effort more than we value results? At least I attempted to. I spoke nothing of physiques.
The question of equality can be answered when we decide what we value. If we value equality no matter our advantages or disadvantages, than to that person people will seem equal.
There are many who feel those that contribute and offer more positive results are more valuable than those that don't.
The US president for example, we spend millions for his safety, because we feel he is more valuable than others. For example, if an attack happened in DC, more stress would be placed on making sure the president is safe before others in the white house are safe.
So you see even in our nation, we preach equality, but blatantly act otherwise.
Complicated mess really.