ChatGPT’s new Study mode: mixed reactions among students, teachers, and tech users

ChatGPT now guides users through reasoning instead of just giving answers.

OpenAI’s newly launched “Study” mode in ChatGPT—made available to all users on July 29, 2025—has immediately triggered a wave of testing, feedback, and public commentary. The feature, represented by a new book icon in the ChatGPT interface, invites users to learn through step-by-step guidance, Socratic questioning, and contextual scaffolding rather than receiving quick answers. Early reactions from users, educators, and tech observers reveal a nuanced picture: enthusiasm is high, but limitations remain.

Many users appreciate the return to guided learning.

The core design of Study mode is to transform ChatGPT into an interactive tutor, not a solution generator. That approach has been well received among students and knowledge workers alike. One journalist from Business Insider tested the feature to explore whether she should buy an electric car and ended up rethinking the question altogether—thanks to the chatbot’s structured questions and cognitive nudges.

Reddit users are also showing strong interest. Highly upvoted comments describe the feature as “genuinely good,” with several noting that it feels like having a private instructor who guides without solving. However, others point out that the temptation to disable the feature and get direct answers remains strong, especially under time pressure.

Teachers and education professionals see promise but urge caution.

Interviews conducted with educators by Education Week suggest that the new mode may serve as a valuable scaffolding tool for self-learners. One high school teacher called it “a strong step toward responsible AI in education.” OpenAI’s VP of Education echoed this sentiment, explaining that “learning requires friction,” and that Study was built to support that mental effort.

Yet some educators express doubts. There are open questions about whether the mode is suited for younger learners, as it was primarily designed with higher education in mind. They also point out the familiar problem with all LLM-based tools: if the AI introduces a subtle error in reasoning or data, the learner must be equipped to spot it independently.

Critics highlight usability gaps and limitations in implementation.

While the intent behind Study mode is widely praised, certain criticisms have emerged. A key issue raised by WIRED is that the mode can be deactivated with a single click. This raises questions about its long-term impact, particularly in school settings where students may still opt for shortcut-style answers.

Other testers note inconsistencies in context handling. For instance, the chatbot sometimes asks users about concepts it hasn’t yet explained in the same conversation—a flaw in prompt sequencing. In user discussions on Reddit, this has been interpreted as a sign that while the behavior has changed, the underlying architecture remains imperfect for full didactic reliability.

Moreover, because there is no way for teachers or institutions to enforce the use of Study mode, its adoption depends entirely on the user’s personal motivation. This autonomy aligns with adult learning models, but may be a drawback in structured classroom environments.

Public interest is high, but expectations are divided.

Since its release, Study mode has been activated by users across all tiers—Free, Plus, Team, and Enterprise—with OpenAI confirming that it will reach ChatGPT Edu in the coming weeks. Public response shows a strong willingness to experiment, but the reactions diverge sharply between viewing it as the start of a true educational transformation and dismissing it as just another prompt wrapper.

On one side, users see this as a long-awaited move toward personalized AI education. On the other, skeptics argue that Study mode simply rearranges the chatbot’s behavior without addressing deeper issues like hallucinations, passive engagement, or overreliance on AI-generated guidance.

The learning assistant of the future starts here—but only if used wisely.

The introduction of Study mode marks a significant moment in the evolution of conversational AI toward learning and development support. While early user sentiment leans positive, the lasting impact of this tool will depend on two factors: how users engage with it, and how well OpenAI continues to refine its reasoning models in educational contexts. In short, the idea is powerful—but its success will hinge not just on design, but on practice.

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