Professors Turn to Ancient Oral Exams to Outsmart AI

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Facing the threat of AI-generated essays and answers, a growing number of professors are turning to oral exams to directly assess student knowledge and critical thinking skills. This ancient testing method, which predates even the printing press, allows educators to bypass the potential for AI assistance. While oral exams offer a robust defense against AI, they also present unique challenges like being time-consuming to administer and grade, especially for large classes.

Why it matters

As AI tools like ChatGPT become more advanced and accessible, educators are struggling to find ways to accurately evaluate student learning without the risk of plagiarism or AI-generated responses. The revival of oral exams represents a creative solution, harkening back to the Socratic method of direct dialogue and evaluation. However, the feasibility of this approach for larger classes remains a concern.

The details

This December, students in Catherine Hartmann's honors seminar at the University of Wyoming were met with an unexpected testing format - the oral exam. This approach, which directly engages students in a discussion of the course material, allows professors to assess a student's understanding and critical thinking skills in a way that is resistant to AI assistance. While oral exams have been used in academia for centuries, their resurgence comes as a response to the growing threat of AI-generated content in student work.

• In December 2026, Catherine Hartmann's honors seminar at the University of Wyoming implemented oral exams.

What’s next

Educators and administrators will continue to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of oral exams as a solution to the AI-generated content challenge in higher education.