I am intelligent academically, can retain information and I am pretty good at applying it.
Forgive the tone of this, but if that quote is true, why is there no mention of a degree in your OP and why are you having to re-take your qualifications - what was wrong with the first lot?
It doesn't matter to me or anyone else on this forum, but if you're going through the selection process you will be asked about it and you will need an answer.