The new study mode of ChatGPT does not provide quick answers; it assists you in reasoning to ensure learning

The use of ChatGPT by students has been a controversial topic from the outset, and OpenAI has just provided its own solution to the concerns raised by launching the new ChatGPT study mode. This option enables the use of AI in a way that ensures a learning experience in which the chatbot guides you step-by-step to solve questions instead of simply providing you with an answer.

The ChatGPT study mode is now available to all individuals subscribed to the Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans. OpenAI has stated that this option will be activated for the Edu plan in the coming weeks.

As ChatGPT becomes a go-to tool for students, we’re committed to ensuring it fosters deeper understanding and learning.

Introducing study mode in ChatGPT — a learning experience that helps you work through problems step-by-step instead of just getting an answer. pic.twitter.com/B8VbRYJH6r

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) July 29, 2025

A personalized tutor that helps you understand and learn

The ChatGPT study mode has been designed to support real learning, particularly among university students. That is why, upon selecting it, the AI behind ChatGPT shifts from merely providing solutions to interacting with the user in order to help them understand the response.

“When students access study mode, they encounter guiding questions that calibrate responses to suit their goals and skill level to help them gain a deeper understanding. Study mode is intended to be interactive and motivating, and to support students in truly learning, rather than just completing an assignment,” OpenAI explains.

To develop this model, the company has collaborated with educators, scientists, and experts in pedagogy. Some of its key features include:

• Interactive prompts: It combines Socratic questions, hints, and suggestions to encourage the individual to reflect, fostering active learning rather than simply providing answers.
• Structured responses: The answers are organized into easy-to-follow sections that highlight key connections between topics, helping to reduce overload in complex matters.
• Personalized support: The AI tailors its lessons to each user’s level, based on questions that assess skill and the memory of previous conversations.
• Knowledge analysis: Progress is monitored through personalized feedback and open-ended questions, helping consolidate knowledge and develop abilities for applying it to new problems.
• Flexibility: You may easily enable or disable ChatGPT’s study mode during a conversation.

How to use ChatGPT’s study mode

To use ChatGPT’s study mode, you only need to go to the tool selector located in the prompt bar and check the “Study and learn” option.

After this, you only need to ask ChatGPT to assist you with your academic queries, to prepare for an exam, or to learn new subjects. The AI will generate clear and detailed explanations in which it helps you understand the material or resolve an issue step by step, so that you comprehend the content, its process, and can apply what you have learned to future cases.

Additionally, you may also ask it to generate questions for you based on the topics you have covered and to correct your responses.

Future improvements

OpenAI affirms that this is a first step toward integrating the capabilities of study mode into the rest of its models, once its system has been refined. Furthermore, work is already underway on potential improvements that will make study mode an even more useful and appealing tool. These improvements include:

• Clearer visual representations for complex concepts or topics with substantial textual content.
• The ability to set goals and track progress throughout conversations.
• More advanced levels of personalization, tailored to each student’s ability and objectives.

“Currently, study mode functions thanks to custom system instructions. We elected this approach because it allows us to rapidly learn from real student feedback and improve the experience, even if this results in some inconsistent behavior or errors between conversations.

We intend to incorporate this behavior directly into our main models once we have learned what works best through iteration and student feedback.”

Photo: OpenAI