Can You Get Caught Using ChatGPT on Gradescope?

Worried that Gradescope might catch you using ChatGPT? You're not alone. As AI tools like ChatGPT become more popular among students for writing assignments and solving problems, concerns about detection are growing.

In this article, we'll uncover what Gradescope will detect, how it works with Turnitin, and how you can avoid getting caught.

Can Gradescope Detect ChatGPT?

No, Gradescope cannot directly detect ChatGPT-generated content . It is primarily designed for grading handwritten exams, coding assignments, and multiple-choice tests, and it lacks built-in AI detection features.

For written assignments, Gradescope can be integrated with Turnitin, which claims to detect AI-generated text. However, Turnitin may produce false positives, and ChatGPT's unique responses often avoid direct matches, making detection unreliable. In programming assignments, Gradescope's Code Similarity tool compares submissions for overlap, but original code from ChatGPT may go unnoticed.

In short, detecting ChatGPT use depends more on Turnitin's accuracy and instructors noticing unusual writing or coding styles than on Gradescope itself.

Tips:

Worried about being wrongly flagged by Turnitin? You can try using Tenorshare AI Humanizer to make AI-generated text sound more human and reduce AI score.

How Does Gradescope Catch Cheating?

Gradescope itself does not include native features for detecting plagiarism or AI-generated content. Its primary function is to help instructors grade more efficiently by allowing them to:

• Create rubrics

• Grade programming assignments and scanned documents

• Annotate PDFs and digital exams

However, Gradescope can be integrated with tools like Turnitin , which have more robust capabilities for plagiarism detection. In such cases, if a student submits work through Gradescope that has also been scanned by Turnitin, it may be flagged for:

• Text similarity with online sources

• Matching patterns from other student submissions

• Possible signs of AI generation (if Turnitin's AI detection is enabled)

What Can Gradescope Detect?

Gradescope's detection capabilities depend on how it is used:

• Plagiarism in Text : Through Turnitin integration, Gradescope can flag text that matches online sources, previous submissions, or other students' work.

• Code Similarity : The Code Similarity tool detects identical or near-identical code submissions in supported languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++), highlighting potential plagiarism.

• Identical Answers : For exams, Gradescope's AI groups similar answers, allowing instructors to spot copied responses, especially in multiple-choice or handwritten formats.

• Submission Patterns : Instructors can review submission histories to identify anomalies, such as rapid resubmissions or inconsistent writing styles.

Can Gradescope Detect Student Activity like Screenshots or Tab Switching?

Gradescope does not have the capability to detect screenshots or track tab-switching during exams. It focuses solely on analyzing submitted content, not monitoring a student's device or browsing activity.

Unlike some proctoring tools that use webcams or browser tracking (e.g., third-party plugins for Canvas ), Gradescope does not log internet activity, open tabs, or screen captures. This limitation means it cannot detect if a student uses ChatGPT in another tab or takes screenshots of exam content.

However, instructors may use external proctoring services alongside Gradescope to monitor such behaviors, though these are separate systems.

How to Avoid False Positives from AI Detectors Like Turnitin

As AI detection tools such as Turnitin become more common in academic settings, many students worry about being wrongly flagged for using AI-generated content. Even if the work is mostly human-written or only lightly assisted by tools like ChatGPT, there is still a chance of being misidentified.

To reduce this risk, it is important to make your writing sound more natural and personalized. One helpful solution is Tenorshare AI Humanizer . This tool is designed to refine AI-generated content by improving sentence variety, tone, and structure. Students can lower their chances of being falsely flagged while still benefiting from AI support in a responsible way.

Final Thoughts

Gradescope does not detect ChatGPT directly . Its role is grading, not monitoring AI usage. However, cheating can still be flagged through integrations with external tools or by instructor scrutiny. As AI tools become more popular in education, both students and educators must navigate a new digital landscape.

Using platforms like Tenorshare AI Humanizer to refine AI-generated text can offer a safer, more ethical path for those seeking help without triggering detection systems.

FAQs

Can Gradescope tell if you use ChatGPT?

No, Gradescope cannot directly detect if you used ChatGPT. It does not have built-in AI detection. However, if integrated with tools like Turnitin, AI-generated content may be flagged. Instructors may also notice unnatural writing styles or inconsistencies with your past work.

Is it bad to use ChatGPT for assignments?

Using ChatGPT is not inherently bad, but it depends on how you use it and your institution's academic policies. Using it for brainstorming or outlining is usually acceptable. Submitting unedited AI-generated content, however, can be considered academic dishonesty and may be flagged by AI detectors or instructors.

Does Gradescope track other tabs?

No, Gradescope does not monitor tab-switching or screen activity. It is a grading platform, not a proctoring tool. Any tab-tracking or screen monitoring would need to be handled by third-party proctoring software used alongside the exam.

Can Gradescope detect handwriting?

Yes, Gradescope can process and grade handwritten submissions, especially when scanned and uploaded clearly. However, it does not "detect" handwriting in the sense of verifying who wrote it. It simply allows instructors to grade handwritten answers digitally.

Does Gradescope go through Turnitin?

Gradescope itself does not include Turnitin by default. However, institutions can integrate Turnitin with Gradescope for written assignments. In that case, Turnitin may check submissions for plagiarism and potentially AI-generated content.