ChatGPT's new 'Study Mode' encourages students to think and understand, helping them learn deeply instead of just getting answers.
ChatGPT Study Mode: OpenAI has launched a revolutionary feature for students called 'Study Mode'. This new mode of ChatGPT not only provides answers to students' questions but also inspires them to think, understand, and delve deeper into the subject matter. This feature is now available to all Free, Plus, Pro, and Team users. In the coming weeks, it will also be added to the ChatGPT Edu plan.
What is ChatGPT's Study Mode?
Until now, students would directly take answers from ChatGPT to complete their assignments or studies. However, this was affecting their ability to think and analyze. OpenAI's new Study Mode brings a solution to this problem. In this mode, ChatGPT first asks the student a question, then guides them, provides hints, but does not give the final answer until the student makes an effort themselves. This promotes Active Learning—where students try to find the solution to the problem themselves.
How will this feature help students?
Here are some key benefits of Study Mode:
- Increased thinking ability: Now, instead of just rote learning, students will learn to understand and solve problems.
- Problem-solving skills: When a direct answer is not available, students will have to consider various aspects.
- Interactive learning: ChatGPT will act like a teacher, guiding students to think in the right direction.
- Self-reliance: Students will gradually become accustomed to studying on their own with the help of AI, rather than just getting answers.
OpenAI's Intention: Not just answers, but in-depth knowledge
OpenAI's VP of Education, Llia Belksy, stated that this mode prioritizes students' desire to learn. There is no compulsion. Students can turn Study Mode on or off whenever they want. She also mentioned that the option of giving control to parents or school admins in the future may be considered, but for now, it is entirely in the hands of the student how and how much they want to learn.
The changing role of AI Tools
When ChatGPT was launched in 2022, many schools and colleges banned it. They feared that students would misuse it.
But in 2023 and 2024, it gradually became clear that AI cannot be separated from education, but rather it is the right way to include it responsibly in learning.
The Learning Mode introduced by Anthropic in Claude AI is an example of this. Now OpenAI's Study Mode takes this trend even further.
How to use the new mode?
If you are a ChatGPT user, you can take advantage of Study Mode in the following way:
- Open the ChatGPT app or website.
- Turn on Study Mode with any question (the option will be found in the settings).
- ChatGPT will not give you a direct answer to your question but will first ask you questions, which will activate your thinking ability.
- Keep trying, ChatGPT will keep giving you hints until you reach the answer yourself.
What does the research say?
A recent study published in June 2025 revealed that students who only take essays or answers directly from ChatGPT showed less cognitive activity in their brains. On the other hand, students who conduct their own research or adopt the process of reaching the answer with the help of AI showed greater learning efficiency. This is why OpenAI has adopted this new approach.
AI's new companion for students
Study Mode is not just a technical change, it gives a new direction to the relationship between students and AI. Now AI is not just an answer-giving machine, but has become a guide, teacher, and communicating companion. As the future of education becomes more deeply connected with AI, features like this ensure that students are not limited to just "click and answer," but that they think, understand, and acquire real knowledge.
