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Better answers, broader thinking: What students gain from ChatGPT and critical-thinking training

AchievementResearchAug 27, 2026

In a randomized experiment with more than 1,000 first-year undergraduates at Bocconi University, conducted with OpenAI Economic Research, students with ChatGPT access scored almost a full point higher on a five-point grading rubric. Causal-reasoning training did not raise rubric scores but increased the variety and originality of students' ideas. Those receiving both showed gains across the widest range of measures. The researchers suggest traditional rubrics may overlook originality as AI makes polished answers easier to produce.

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OpenAICompanyChatGPTModelBocconi UniversityCompanyOpenAI Economic ResearchCompany
Canonical: https://openai.com/index/what-students-gain-from-chatgpt-critical-thinking-training/