ChatGPT launches Study Mode to foster student learning and critical thinking

OpenAI has introduced Study Mode in ChatGPT to support student learning and encourage critical thinking. This feature introduces a new approach where, instead of simply providing direct answers, ChatGPT guides learners through the material. With Study Mode enabled, students encounter follow-up questions designed to assess their understanding, and ChatGPT may withhold direct responses until the student engages more fully.

Study Mode provides step-by-step explanations, quizzes, and test prep tools, encouraging students to explore topics through deeper questions. Unlike the standard ChatGPT experience, it focuses on participation and understanding rather than quick answers. It runs on prompt engineering and formatting, not a new AI model, and users can switch back to regular ChatGPT at any time since there's no way to lock them into Study Mode.

The rollout covers Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans, with expansion to school-administered Edu plans expected soon. Research behind this update suggests that, while chatbots can serve as effective tutors, relying solely on instant answers may reduce critical thinking over time. For comparison, the approach resembles Anthropic’s recently launched Learning Mode for the Claude chatbot.