Surveys show that 85% of college students use AI for coursework, and many admit to using it to complete assignments
Colleges across the United States are bringing back oral exams as they search for reliable, AI-proof ways to evaluate student learning.
In one honors seminar, students now take 30-minute oral finals in a professor’s office, answering rapid, probing questions without devices.
The professor compares AI shortcuts to using a forklift at the gym, a tool that prevents real intellectual muscle from developing.
Students, initially intimidated, now say the format forces them to think independently and understand concepts deeply.
The shift reflects a broader trend.
Surveys show that 85% of college students use AI for coursework, and many admit to using it to complete assignments.
To counter this, universities are reintroducing handwritten in-class exams, paper “blue books,” and direct oral assessments that AI cannot complete.
Large departments in engineering, business, and data science report success even with hundreds of students.
Educators say oral exams strengthen communication skills, increase motivation, and reduce the temptation to cheat. Students add that these exams create genuine learning environments free from AI pressure.