AI

Brown University Exam Scores Plunge 50% After AI Ban

Brown University final exam scores fall 50% after professor mandates paper-only test to combat widespread ChatGPT cheating. Implications for academic AI.

By Dillip Chowdary · July 10, 2026
Brown University Exam Scores Plunge 50% After AI Ban

A professor at Brown University ordered an in-person, paper-and-pen final exam after suspecting widespread student reliance on generative AI tools. The results were stark: the class average fell by 50% compared to previous semesters that allowed digital submissions. The outcome has roiled the Ivy League institution, sparking intense debates on educational integrity.

Join the Tech Bytes Newsletter

Get the absolute latest deeply analytical tech insights delivered to your inbox every morning.

The steep decline in scores suggests that student comprehension may be heavily masked by real-time assistance from models like ChatGPT and Claude. Educators are now calling for a return to traditional testing methods to accurately measure learning retention. The university's academic senate is reviewing exam policies ahead of the upcoming fall semester.