The general idea behind the mode is that it can ask Socratic questions to assess your knowledge levels and guide you step by step through problems — to help you learn instead of just giving you a quick fix.
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
It’s not a new model, though, and is simply a collection of system prompts geared for studying. According to OpenAI’s launch post, it’s only the first step of custom features geared towards students.
Expert inputs
The mode has been made with input from teachers, scientists and pedagogy experts, and will iterate the learning process designed for your level, based on both your history and questioning.
It can also start quizzes to make learning a bit more entertaining.
OpenAI’s VP of Education, Leah Belsky, tells TechCrunch that parents, teachers and «administrators» cannot force Study Mode on a user, making it easy to switch to normal mode and simply get the answers you are looking for, no questions asked.
Recently, OpenAI and a host of other AI Labs launched a program for teachers in cooperation with American Federation of Teachers to better educate with AI.
Read more: OpenAI’s launch post, writeups at TechCrunch, and The Verge.