WSJ: US notebook sales soar as teachers fight ChatGPT over return to written exams
26 May 2025 18:31
Sales of traditional exam notebooks at US universities have surged as professors increasingly return to paper exams to counteract the massive use of artificial intelligence by students during their studies.
This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Over the past two academic years, sales of such notebooks have increased by more than 30% at Texas A&M University, 50% at the University of Florida, and almost 80% at the University of California, Berkeley.
Roaring Spring Paper Products, the largest manufacturer of exam notebooks in the country, based in Pennsylvania, notes that after a decline during the pandemic, when most educational institutions switched to distance learning, demand is rapidly recovering. The reason is the fight against fraud with the help of AI.
According to the WSJ, students are increasingly using artificial intelligence to complete homework in subjects such as math, economics, programming, and essay writing. This forces teachers to resort to written exams or even oral knowledge tests to make sure that students are actually proficient.
However, not all educators consider this the best solution. Many recognize that while AI can facilitate learning, it needs to be used with care. In the meantime, they say, written exams remain the only way to verify that students have truly mastered the material.
