AI usage correlates with 24% drop in closed-book exam scores
July 5, 2026
A 30-month study of 26,000 students found that while AI tools improved homework speed and overall grades, they were associated with a 24% decrease in closed-book exam performance. The data suggests a gap between AI-assisted competence and internalized knowledge.
HOW THIS AFFECTS YOU
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researcherThis highlights the tension between tool-assisted performance and fundamental cognitive skill retention.
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policyThese findings may influence future educational regulations regarding AI integration in schools.