As artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT become increasingly popular among students, schools and universities across the United States are reverting to handwritten exams in an effort to curb academic dishonesty.
Educators are raising concerns over a significant rise in AI-driven cheating, with recent surveys revealing that up to 97% of Gen Z students have used AI to complete homework, write essays, or even prepare college applications. In response, institutions such as Texas A&M University, the University of Florida, UC Berkeley, St. John’s University, Appalachian State, and Georgia State are bringing back traditional pen-and-paper exams and oral assessments.
The trend has led to a surge in demand for the once-fading “blue books” — lined exam booklets used for handwritten tests. According to industry data, sales of blue books have increased by up to 80% since 2022, as universities place bulk orders to support the shift.
A report by Axios in May 2025 highlighted the overwhelming challenge educators face in detecting AI-generated content, with 90% of college students admitting to using AI tools for schoolwork. Some professors are feeling the strain, expressing frustration over the lack of clear policies and institutional support to address the issue.
While handwritten exams are the most immediate solution, schools are also exploring more creative approaches. These include requiring annotated drafts, conducting in-class writing assignments, and incorporating oral defenses — all designed to make it harder for students to rely solely on AI.
At the same time, some educators are pushing for a more balanced perspective, advocating for the integration of AI literacy into the curriculum. Rather than banning AI outright, they suggest teaching students to use the technology responsibly as a learning tool.
As academic institutions continue to grapple with the implications of generative AI, the return to handwritten exams signals a broader reevaluation of assessment methods in the digital age.
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