All four of these tools now have a real studying mode, built to walk you through a topic instead of just handing you the answer. That is obviously useful for a test or a paper, but the same modes work just as well for a work certification, a new hobby, or just wanting to actually understand something instead of skimming a summary. Here is how to turn on the real studying mode in each one.
Claude: web search
Claude can search the web and cite its sources, so you can research a topic and actually check where the information came from.
- In a Claude.ai chat, click the slider icon in the lower left corner.
- Find Web search in the menu and toggle it on.
- Ask your question, or include the words “search the web” in your prompt if you want to make sure it looks something up.
- Claude pulls in multiple sources and cites them, so you can click through and check anything important yourself.
When to reach for it: reach for this for a paper that needs real sources, but just as well for researching a big purchase or checking whether something you heard is actually true.
Source: Claude Help Center: Enable and use web search
ChatGPT: study Mode
ChatGPT’s Study Mode acts like a tutor instead of an answer machine, asking questions and walking you through a topic step by step rather than just solving it for you.
- In a chat, type / to open the tools menu.
- Select “Study and learn.”
- Describe what you are working on, your level, and any deadline, and attach notes or a syllabus if you have them.
- Work through it together. Turn it off anytime from the same tools menu.
When to reach for it: good for actually understanding something you will be tested on, but just as useful for working through a certification exam or teaching yourself a new skill, since it will not just do the practice problems for you.
Source: OpenAI Help Center: ChatGPT Study Mode FAQ
Copilot: study and learn mode
The free, personal Copilot has a Study and learn mode built to break down a topic and quiz you on it at your own pace.
- Type your question or topic into Copilot.
- Select “Study and learn” from the mode options that appear under the prompt box.
- Ask follow-up questions, or ask it to quiz you on the topic.
- It stays in that mode for the rest of the conversation, until you switch modes again.
When to reach for it: reach for this when you want to actually master something rather than get a quick answer, whether that is an exam topic or something you are teaching yourself for fun.
Source: Microsoft Support: Conversation modes in Microsoft Copilot
Gemini: study Notebooks
Gemini’s Study Notebooks turn your own notes or materials into a quiz and a personalized set of lessons, so you spend your time on what you do not know yet.
- Go to gemini.google.com and open the menu.
- Select New notebook, then Study.
- Tell it your goal, like “help me prep for the ACT” or “help me learn basic Spanish.”
- Upload your notes or materials from your device or Google Drive, then take the quiz it builds. It will focus your lessons on whatever you missed.
When to reach for it: good for turning a pile of notes into an actual study plan, for a class, a certification, or picking up a new skill on your own.
Source: Gemini Apps Help: Create and use notebooks in Gemini Apps
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