ChatGPT’s New Study Mode: Your Built-In Tutor

Patrick Law
Jul 29
2 min read

OpenAI has introduced Study Mode, a new ChatGPT feature that prompts users with guiding questions before revealing solutions The Verge. It’s rolling out now to Free, Plus, Pro, and Team users, with an Edu rollout coming soon.

Why Study Mode Exists

Rather than serving up instant answers, Study Mode leverages Socratic questioning to foster active learning and critical thinking Business Insider. OpenAI built this feature in response to concerns that ChatGPT was becoming a mere “answer machine,” aiming instead to guide users through each step of a problem.

How to Enable Study Mode

Log into ChatGPT and click your profile or settings icon.
Navigate to Tools and click Study and Learn on.
You’re ready—next time you ask a question, ChatGPT will quiz you first.

How It Works in Practice

When you request help, Study Mode may ask, “What have you tried so far?” or “How are you defining your variables?” Only after you respond will it offer step-by-step guidance VentureBeat. This interaction ensures you engage with the core concepts rather than passively copy answers.

A Quick Application for Engineers

Imagine you’re crunching a complex heat-balance calculation. Instead of pasting the full problem, you ask ChatGPT in Study Mode. It prompts, “Which energy terms have you included?” and “What control volumes have you defined?” Once you answer, it walks you through the remaining steps. That back-and-forth helps you uncover hidden assumptions, catch errors early, and truly master the process.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

Opt-out is easy: Users can switch back to regular mode anytime.
No admin lock-in: There are currently no controls to enforce Study Mode use.
Version inconsistency: As a beta feature, behavior may vary between sessions.

By embedding these built-in checks, Study Mode turns ChatGPT into a tutor that challenges you to think, not just a bot that delivers answers. Give it a try on your next tough problem and see how much more you retain.

Advance your AI edge with our newsletter → https://www.singularityengineering.ca/general-4