Since 1893, students at one of the world’s most prestigious universities have taken exams in a relaxed environment, without professors lurking about the room to ensure no talking or wandering eyes.
The honor system that preserved the arrangement is no more, however. On July 1, Princeton University will return to proctored in-class assessments. A seemingly ancient practice has been recalled to counter changing norms and increasing student reliance on artificial intelligence (AI), according to campus documents.
The Ivy League institution’s Honor Code has been amended in the past 133 years to keep up with technology and societal changes. This more recent change was promoted in part by a 2025 student survey of graduating seniors that revealed 30 percent admitted to cheating on assignments. The survey was conducted by the student newspaper, The Daily Princetonian….
AI Cheating Prompts Princeton to Scrap Honor System, Return to Proctored Tests
