OECD data shows more students say they give up easily

In short: Across OECD countries, more students report giving up easily, and more rush through reading questions and get them wrong.

What's going on

New analysis linked to the OECD’s Pisa tests shows signs that more teenagers are avoiding sustained effort in schoolwork. Pisa is a large international test taken by 15-year-olds that compares reading, maths, and science skills across countries.

The OECD said the share of “hasty readers”, meaning students who answer quickly but incorrectly, rose from 6.6% in 2018 to 11.4% in 2025. Student questionnaires also point in the same direction. On average across OECD countries, about one-third of students said they quit doing homework if it was too long, and this share rose in almost all education systems between 2022 and 2025.

Only about half of students disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement that they give up easily, and that share fell in almost all education systems over the same period. Andreas Schleicher, the OECD’s director for education and skills, said this is likely contributing to falling test results, especially in tasks that need careful thinking, like comparing and weighing several pieces of information.

The Financial Times column notes that it would be unfair to blame this entirely on generative AI, since many declines began before these tools became widely used in 2022. Still, it argues AI can add to the problem by making hard tasks feel optional. Teachers have been urging students to use AI more like a tutor than an answer machine (like a gym spotter who helps you lift safely, not someone who lifts for you).

What to watch

Schools and employers may put more focus on how AI is used, not just whether it is used. The key question is whether new AI study tools can support learning while still requiring students to do the mental work themselves.

Source: Financial Times