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Exams

All articles tagged with #exams

AI Helps Homework but Harms Exams, Large Chinese Study Finds
technology2 days ago

AI Helps Homework but Harms Exams, Large Chinese Study Finds

A large Chinese study of ~27,000 students ages 12–18 finds that about 80% used AI tools, with AI homework completion rising by 18% and time per assignment dropping from 64 to 45 minutes (a 30% faster pace). However, monthly exam scores for AI users were 20% lower than non-users, suggesting AI can be a learning crutch rather than a true aid. Anecdotes from Brown University and MIT align with concerns that AI-assisted work may reduce engagement and cognitive activity, while broader research links AI use to poorer critical thinking and memory. Learning losses were greatest in social sciences, followed by STEM and languages, and there are worries about AI-driven grade inflation in humanities and engineering. A cautionary note on how AI may shift performance patterns without necessarily improving understanding.

Brown Professor Alleges AI Cheating in Take-Home Midterm, Shifts Final to In-Person
education1 month ago

Brown Professor Alleges AI Cheating in Take-Home Midterm, Shifts Final to In-Person

Brown University economics professor Roberto Serrano suspects a majority of students in his take-home midterm used AI to cheat, prompting him to make the final exam in-person; the midterm averaged about 96% while the final averaged 48.6%, leading to dozens dropping the course or failing. Brown’s handling of the case, including a Standing Committee on the Academic Code and a campus GenAI in teaching and learning initiative, has drawn criticism and highlighted broader questions about AI, detection, and policy in higher education.

AI Glasses Fuel Cheating Wave in Asia's Exam-Driven Societies
technology1 month ago

AI Glasses Fuel Cheating Wave in Asia's Exam-Driven Societies

AI-enabled smart glasses are being used to cheat on high-stakes exams in East Asia, with incidents in South Korea and Taiwan triggering probes as authorities screen devices; researchers say the wearables can transmit questions to AI models and display answers, highlighting concerns about exam integrity and privacy while experts urge rethinking assessment and teaching to emphasize thinking and metacognition rather than simply banning AI.

Pollen Linked to Slight Dip in Finnish Students’ Exam Scores
health5 months ago

Pollen Linked to Slight Dip in Finnish Students’ Exam Scores

A Finnish study of nearly 100,000 students from 2006–2020 found that final exams taken on days with alder or hazel pollen had lower scores than pollen-free days. Each 10 grains per cubic meter of alder pollen correlated with a 0.042-point drop and hazel pollen with a 0.17-point drop on a 66-point scale, suggesting pollen exposure may hinder academic performance. The study is observational, so it shows correlation rather than causation, but researchers suggest actions like scheduling exams outside pollen season and improving allergy management to mitigate potential impacts on vulnerable students.

Colleges Revisit Old-School Exams to Combat AI Cheating
education11 months ago

Colleges Revisit Old-School Exams to Combat AI Cheating

Stanford professor Jure Leskovec discusses how AI has prompted a shift in assessment methods, with his class switching from open-book exams to paper exams to better evaluate student knowledge amidst AI advancements. He emphasizes the importance of human skills and domain expertise, advocating for re-skilling and new teaching approaches to prepare students for an AI-augmented workforce. Despite AI's rapid growth, Leskovec believes we are still in the early stages of developing effective solutions for integrating AI into education and work.

China restricts AI tools during university entrance exams to ensure fairness
education1 year ago

China restricts AI tools during university entrance exams to ensure fairness

Chinese AI companies have temporarily disabled certain chatbot features during the nationwide gaokao exams to prevent cheating, including disabling image recognition functions in popular apps like Alibaba’s Qwen and ByteDance’s Doubao, as part of efforts to ensure exam fairness amid concerns over AI-assisted cheating. The shutdowns are driven by social media reports and aim to maintain the integrity of the highly competitive college entrance exams.

Kate Middleton Supports Prince George's Exam Preparation
royal-family2 years ago

Kate Middleton Supports Prince George's Exam Preparation

Kate Middleton revealed that she is helping her son, Prince George, revise for his upcoming maths exams. During a visit to Fitzalan High School in Cardiff, she discussed George's early experience with exams and expressed her support for him. Kate also mentioned that as George gets older, education is becoming a priority for the family, leading her to cancel her attendance at the Earthshot Prize event to assist him. George, who is in Year 6 at Lambrook School, will be sitting Key Stage 2 SATs this year. Additionally, during the visit, Kate paid tribute to Welsh football legend Gareth Bale and played table tennis with Prince William.