How to cheat on exams using AI

In the age of artificial intelligence, the boundaries between learning, assisting, and outright cheating have become increasingly blurred. As education systems struggle to keep up with digital innovation, students are finding new ways to exploit technology to gain an edge—most notably, using AI to cheat on exams.

From AI-powered browsers and voice assistants to tools like CluelyAI that provide live exam help, the rise of AI in academic dishonesty poses a complex challenge for educators and institutions alike. In this article, we explore how students cheat using AI, the tools they use, the techniques they rely on, and the ethical—and often legal—implications of doing so.

What is AI Exam Cheating?

AI exam cheating refers to the use of artificial intelligence technologies to unfairly gain answers or assistance during an examination. Unlike traditional cheating, which may involve crib notes or copying, AI cheating is far more sophisticated, often difficult to detect, and executed with tools designed to mimic legitimate use cases like accessibility or study aids.

Most Popular AI Tools for Cheating on Exams

1. CluelyAI

Developed by two former Columbia University students, CluelyAI is a desktop-based assistant that uses AI to generate real-time answers for exams and interviews. It overlays your screen invisibly—undetectable even during screen-sharing sessions—and responds to both audio and visual cues.

Features used for cheating:

• Live answer generation
  
• Screen and audio recognition
  
• Invisible overlays
  
• Real-time problem-solving
  

2. ChatGPT and GPT-Based Apps

OpenAI’s ChatGPT and similar tools like Claude or Gemini are often used to:

• Generate essay responses
  
• Solve math and science problems
  
• Provide summarized answers to MCQs
  
• Translate or explain foreign language exam content
  

3. Voice Assistant Integration

Some students use discreet Bluetooth earpieces or voice assistants connected to smartphones hidden nearby to get live answers during oral or written exams.

4. AI-Powered Smart Glasses and Wearables

Devices like Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses or modified smartwatches are used to:

• Display answers via AR overlays
  
• Record questions and transmit them to remote AI
  
• Communicate discreetly with human accomplices
  

How Students Cheat on Exams Using AI – Step-by-Step

Pre-Exam Preparation

• Training the AI: Feed the AI with past exam papers, study materials, or practice questions. CluelyAI, for example, uses machine learning to predict likely exam questions.
  
• Custom Inputs: Students upload syllabi, lecture notes, or textbooks to improve answer relevance and accuracy.
  
• Practice Sessions: Rehearsing AI-generated answers ensures smoother delivery and reduces the chance of detection.
  

During the Exam (Remote or In-Person)

• Invisible Desktop Overlays: Use tools like CluelyAI that operate as transparent layers above your test interface.
  
• Audio Feedback: Use discreet Bluetooth earpieces connected to a remote AI or friend providing live answers.
  
• Screen Sharing Workarounds: Some AI tools remain invisible even when the user shares their screen, avoiding detection by remote proctors.
  
• Camera Manipulation: Use dummy webcams, background overlays, or mirrors to fake test environments.
  

Post-Exam Use

• Feedback Analysis: Use AI tools to analyze your answers and provide feedback, which helps refine cheating methods for future exams.
  
• Error Pattern Recognition: AI identifies patterns in incorrect answers to improve results next time.
  

Common AI Exam Cheating Techniques by Exam Type

Exam Type	Cheating Method	AI Tool Example
Multiple Choice	AI-powered auto-answer	ChatGPT / CluelyAI
Coding / Technical Tests	Live code generation and debugging	GitHub Copilot, CluelyAI
Essays / Written	Auto-essay generation	GPT-4, Jasper AI
Oral Exams	Real-time voice feedback	Bluetooth + AI voice assistant
Math / STEM	Equation solving + explanation	Wolfram Alpha, Photomath

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The Ethical & Academic Consequences

While AI-assisted cheating may seem appealing, the long-term consequences can be severe:

• Academic Penalties: Suspension, expulsion, or degree revocation.
  
• Loss of Trust: Academic records may be flagged permanently.
  
• Skill Deficiency: Relying on AI stunts real learning, leaving students underprepared for real-world challenges.
  
• Employment Risks: If discovered, employers may rescind job offers or terminate employment, as happened with CluelyAI’s co-founder who lost an Amazon SDE internship.
  

How Schools and Institutions Are Fighting Back

As AI cheating becomes more widespread, schools are deploying countermeasures:

• AI Detection Software: Tools like Turnitin AI detector, GPTZero, and Copyleaks now flag AI-generated content.
  
• Proctored Testing: Use of browser lockdowns, dual-camera angles, and biometric verification.
  
• Invigilators on Fiverr: As absurd as it sounds, some institutions now hire third-party invigilators to supervise exams in neutral environments like cafés or libraries.
  
• Unexpected Questions: Asking emotional or experiential questions AI cannot answer, such as “What was your most difficult personal failure and why?”
  

Should You Use AI to Cheat?

While it’s undeniable that tools like CluelyAI offer powerful assistance, their misuse as cheating devices poses a serious ethical dilemma. Here are key considerations:

Pros (Short-Term Gains):

• Improved scores
  
• Better job opportunities (initially)
  
• Time-saving
  

Cons (Long-Term Risks):

• Career-ending exposure
  
• Loss of credibility
  
• Legal repercussions in some jurisdictions
  
• Moral compromise
  

Smarter Alternatives to AI Cheating

If you’re struggling with exams, consider using AI ethically:

• Use GPT-based tools for studying, not cheating—e.g., explaining difficult concepts.
  
• Take mock exams with AI feedback to prepare genuinely.
  
• Use flashcard apps (Anki, Quizlet) powered by spaced repetition AI.
  
• Hire a tutor or mentor, rather than a shadow AI assistant.
  

Final Thoughts: The AI Exam Cheating Arms Race

As long as AI tools evolve, so will the methods students use to cheat. But so too will the detection systems built to stop them. In this high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse, it’s important to remember that real learning, while difficult, pays off in ways that short-term deception never can.

AI can enhance your education—but using it to cheat only undermines your future.