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Don’t Be Led Astray by AI Test Prep: 4 Reasons Students Still Need Teachers and Tutors

2 hours ago

3 min read

Laptop showing ChatGPT home screen in dark mode with text What do you want to know? and Ask anything... on the screen.

While studying for the SAT, the ACT, the PSAT, or even school tests and finals, students can ask generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini why they missed a question and get an answer in seconds. For a student looking for a quick explanation, this can be an appealing alternative to working with a tutor or taking additional classes.

But did they actually learn anything? Students can easily mistake an immediate response for genuine understanding. Technology may be able to tell a student what went wrong, but it doesn’t ensure a student understands why it went wrong, whether they can apply the concept somewhere else, or what they should do next.

Here are four reasons students shouldn't rely on AI as their primary source of test prep and academic support.

1. An AI explanation isn't the same as understanding

Let’s consider the following example:

“I used AI to study for the SAT,” he said confidently. “It told me what I was doing wrong for those grammar questions I kept missing, like: punctuation, independent clauses, and subject-verb agreement.”

AI can tell a student that since the portion of the sentence preceding the colon is not an independent clause, the use of the colon is incorrect. Does that mean the student understands what an independent clause actually is? Does it contribute to their knowledge of the correct use of a colon?

No matter how advanced, an AI chatbot or similar automated tool can’t talk with a student to check for understanding or provide unique approaches tailored to individual learning styles.

2. AI doesn't know the whole student

Two students who miss the same five questions may need completely different interventions. A tutor will consider what classes the student has taken, what study methods historically work best for them, what questions they’re consistently answering wrong, and what learning approaches will help them reach their goals.

Good test preparation isn't simply a matter of completing more practice problems. It's about determining why students are struggling and developing a plan to address that specific need. This kind of individualized judgment is one of the most important things a teacher or tutor can provide.

3. AI can be wrong

The University of Maryland published a guide to AI and information literacy that walks through common issues with AI responses being mere estimations or amalgamations of related data rather than coherent and thought-through responses, sometimes leading to totally false “hallucinations” of incorrect information. “Remember,” UMD warns, “the AI is producing what it believes is the most likely series of words to answer your prompt. This does not mean it’s giving you the ultimate answer!”

A student who doesn't know enough about a subject to recognize a mistake is also unlikely to recognize when an AI explanation contains one. Teaching and tutoring requires years of advanced study and subject expertise. A qualified educator can recognize when a student's question reveals a misunderstanding and investigate further rather than simply producing another response.

4. Tutors and teachers offer accountability and encouragement

Although independent study and preparation is invaluable, a tutor holds their students accountable, offering them the academic and social encouragement they need to meet their goals. The motivation and self-confidence a student gains after being praised by a real person cannot be delivered by ChatGPT or Claude.

A chatbot or AI tool will never replace a tutor, no matter how many practice questions it can analyze or how quickly it can push a student through a review session.

What’s next?

Are you wanting to raise your GPA, master challenging AP content, or reach your goal score for the SAT or ACT? B2A offers expert-led tutoring, academic subject classes for middle schoolers through high schoolers, and various test prep programs—from 1:1 tutoring to online or in-person classes, and even a self-paced online course with 90 targeted video lessons.

Below are the remaining 2026 test dates for the SAT and ACT.

SAT

Test date - October 3 | Register by September 18

Test date - November 7 | Register by October 23

Test date - December 5 | Register by November 20

ACT

Test date - October 17 | Late registration - September 29

Test date - December 12 | Register by November 6

For sophomores and juniors, the PSAT 10 and PSAT in-school testing windows will be October 1-30 (PSAT) and March 1-April 30 (PSAT 10). With strong scores on the PSAT, students can earn honors like the College Board National Recognition Program’s School Recognition Award as well as have the opportunity to be recognized within the National Merit competition, potentially leading to scholarships and guaranteed college acceptances.