34% of University Students Admit to Using ChatGPT for Exam Preparation

Since ChatGPT’s launch in November 2022, AI development and usage has been an increasingly prevalent topic within the education sector, prompting debates around its benefits, and potential misuses.

Exam boards have warned that chatbots might pose “significant risks” if students use AI for assessments, while teachers have been cautioned that simply asking AI tools to “mark and give feedback and grades” for students is a “pretty bad thing to do.”

Interested to learn more about how students utilize ChatGPT in their studies, The Knowledge Academy conducted a survey of 2,000 UK students to identify how many students use ChatGPT, as well the most common uses. 

Martha Folkes, Head of Apprenticeships at The Knowledge Academy, said:

“The prevalence of AI has been growing recently, and has prompted much debate in the education sector among students. With recent reports of students having their work disqualified for plagiarism reasons linked to the use of ChatGPT, it is crucial for students to ensure they aren’t using it excessively, or in any manner which can impact their results or the legitimacy of their own work.”

 

Key Study Findings:

• ChatGPT is most commonly used by students studying Digital Law and Legal courses, with nearly three quarters (72%) of respondents saying they use the bot.
• The most common reason university students use ChatGPT is for exam preparation and testing themselves on questions, with a third (34%) giving this as their reason.
• Almost a third (32%) of university students use ChatGPT multiple times a week.

 

University Courses Where ChatGPT is Most Commonly Used

Rank

Course

Percentage of students that use AI (%)

1

Digital Law/Legal

72%

=2

Psychology/Philosophy/Religious Studies

68%

=2

English

68%

=4

Computer Science

66%

=4

Politics

66%

6

Economics

65%

=7

Educational Studies

64%

=7

Science

64%

=7

Languages

64%

=7

History

64%

Data from the study reveals that almost three quarters (72%) of respondents studying Digital Law or Legal courses at university utilize ChatGPT in their studies. 

The bot is said to be able to help extract key facts and arguments from sources, however, some say the tool may fabricate content, making it important that those using it always independently verify their work.

Ranking in joint second position, almost seven in ten (68%) of those studying Psychology, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and English have also made use of ChatGPT in their studies. 

However, there has been speculation over whether AI algorithms are trained on biased data, revealing ethical dilemmas.

Both Computer Science and Politics ranked joint third, with two thirds (66%) of respondents on these courses stating that they use ChatGPT in their studies.

 

University Students Most Common Reasons for Using ChatGPT

Rank

Reason for use

Percentage

1

For exam prep e.g. testing on

questions

34%

2=

Checking spelling and grammar

33%

2=

Brainstorming and ideation

33%

2=

Writing emails/communications

33%

2=

Planning for exams/planning study

timetables

33%

According to the study findings, exam preparation such as practice questions, is the most common reason for utilizing ChatGPT, with over a third (34%) of university students stating this as their reason.

A third (33%) of university students also revealed that they use the bot for checking spelling and grammar, brainstorming and ideation, writing emails, or planning study timetables.

 

How Frequently ChatGPT Is Used in University Work

Rank

Frequency of use

Percentage

1

Not often, I use it from time to time

(a few times a year)

33%

2

I use it a few times a week

32%

3

I have never used AI in my studies

at any level

23%

4

I use it every day

13%

A third (33%) of university students say they make use of ChatGPT a few times a year, with just under a third (32%) using the bot a few times a week.

Interestingly, just over a tenth (13%) of university Students admit to using ChatGPT every day in their studies. 

Martha Folkes adds:

“ChatGPT has been reported to be useful for brainstorming ideas, organizing, planning, and analyzing text. It can have benefits when helping those students organize study plans, and methods of revision.

However, it still remains crucial that students exercise their own abilities to be creative, think critically, and analyze as much as they can, with human creativity still being found to be of high importance in all areas of study.

It can therefore be helpful for educational institutions to utilize ChatGPT specific disciplines and regulations, to help students know the best ways to use the bot, and those tasks or methods which should be avoided.”