ChatGPT now outperforms nearly all 15-year-olds in standardized tests

A new Swiss Education Report shows that ChatGPT now outperforms nearly all 15-year-olds in standardised assessments. Only 1-2% of students in this age group can surpass the AI's performance. The findings have sparked calls for clearer rules on how schools should handle artificial intelligence. The report highlights a sharp shift since ChatGPT's launch in November 2022. While earlier data on its performance against students was limited, recent evaluations reveal the AI now exceeds the abilities of most teenagers—including many high achievers.

Thomas Minder, president of the Swiss Association of School Principals, has urged the government to act. He proposes a nationwide framework with clear guidelines to help schools navigate AI's growing influence. Without such rules, he warns, educators will struggle to keep up. Bettina Surber, St. Gallen's director of education, echoed these concerns. She stressed that rapid AI advancements are placing schools under increasing pressure. The challenge now lies in adapting teaching methods to an era where students compete with machines.

The report leaves little doubt about AI's impact on education. With ChatGPT surpassing all but a tiny fraction of 15-year-olds, schools face urgent questions about assessment and teaching. Authorities must now decide how to respond to a technology that is reshaping learning at speed.