Actually that's kind of a tough question because I've never really thought about it. Since I've been taking nootropics, my work ethic for book work is higher. Complicated concepts don't seem daunting anymore, and I dive right in. There's not any procrastination anymore.
I don't think they've necessarily made me 'smarter,' and I don't think that's what they do...they simply have amplified qualities in me connected to learning and reasoning. It does feel like my memory is a lot better, but that could just be because how much I study now, not the substance.
As for the results, last semester I got mostly C's. I just started to feel burned out. This semester I'm getting all A's. In one of my classes I've even scored 100% on two of the midterm exams, and in another I got over 100% on a programming project because the professor liked my logical efficiency. My intelligence has been the same I believe, it's just that this semester I don't get distracted, and have a rekindled fire under my ass. Lift, work, school, study, rinse, repeat.
There are a couple of 'side effects' (in quotes because not necessarily negative) of noopept and some of the stronger racetams. One is a shortened temper, which I'm ok with. The reason I'm ok with it, is because I bottle up anything that's pissing me off, and take it to the gym. Workouts have been good. Another is suppression of emotion. Again, I like that too because I really don't have time for anything other that working out, my job, and my studies, so it's nice to not get distracted. I feel like a boss.
I'm not attributing it all to nootropics either, because I lift frequently. I feel as if the stronger and more conditioned I get, the more fluid thinking is for me. Lifting improves literally every aspect of my life.
Your mileage may vary.