Giving University Exams in the Age of Chatbots

by Ploum on 2026-01-19

What I like most about teaching "Open Source Strategies" at École Polytechnique de Louvain is how much I learn from my students, especially during the exam.

I dislike exams. I still have nightmares about exams. That’s why I try to subvert this stressful moment and make it a learning opportunity. I know that adrenaline increases memorization dramatically. I make sure to explain to each student what I was expecting and to be helpful.

Here are the rules:

1. You can have all the resources you want (including a laptop connected to the Internet)

2. There’s no formal time limit (but if you stay too long, it’s a symptom of a deeper problem)

3. I allow students to discuss among themselves if it is on topic. (in reality, they never do it spontanously until I force two students with a similar problem to discuss together)

4. You can prepare and bring your own exam question if you want (something done by fewer than 10% of the students)

5. Come dressed for the exam you dream of taking!

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