apps to cheat on homework

7 Apps That Can Do Your Homework Much Faster Than You

In the field of educational technology, some apps might be getting too smart.

More and more apps are delivering on-demand homework help to students, who can easily re-purpose the learning tools to obtain not just assistance, but also answers. Whether or not that’s cheating—and how to stop it—is one of the concerns surrounding a new app that can solve math equations with the snap of a camera . While the software has inspired teachers to create real-world homework problems that can’t be automatically solved , that strategy doesn’t hold up to other apps that tap into real-life brains for solutions.

Here’s a look at 7 apps that can do your homework for you, and what they have to say about cheating:

Price : Free Availability : iOS, Android app coming in early 2015

The new, seemingly magic app allows users to take pictures of typed equations, and then outputs a step-by-step solution. As of Wednesday, the app is the number one free app on the App Store. But the biggest issue, one teacher argues , isn’t if students will use the app to cheat, because many will. Rather, it’s about how teachers will adapt. A PhotoMath spokeswoman said educators have welcomed the app with positive reviews, but the software remains “quite controversial.”

“We didn’t develop PhotoMath as a cheating tool. We really wanted kids to learn,” said Tijana Zganec, a sales and marketing associate at tech company MicroBlink, which created PhotoMath. “If you want to cheat, you will find a way to cheat. But if you want to learn, you can use PhotoMath for that.”

Whether you’re a high schooler with eight periods of classes or a college student tackling dozens of credits, there’s one thing you’ve got for sure: a mess of assignments. iHomework can help you keep track of all your work, slicing and dicing it in a variety of ways. Sorting it by due date, week, month, or by course, the app is more organized than a Trapper Keeper. And in integrating data from Questia, you can link your reading material to your assignments so you don’t have to dig through a pile of papers to find the right information.

A scheduling feature can help you keep track of those random bi-weekly Thursday labs, and you can even mark the location of your courses on a map so you don’t end up on the wrong side of campus. And finally, with iCloud syncing, you can access all this information on whatever Apple-compatible device you’re using at the moment — no need to dig for your iPad.

Google Apps for Education

Taking the search giant’s suite of free browser-based apps and sandboxing them so they are safe for school use, Google Apps for Education is an excellent alternative to the mainstream installable productivity software, but this one has a perk that almost school board will love—it’s free. Packaging together favorites like Gmail, Hangouts, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Drive with Classroom, a digital hub for organizing assignments and sending feedback, the goal of this collection is to make learning a more collaborative process.

Though Google Apps for Education is cloud-hosted, the programs can be used offline, ideal for when your student needs to escape the internet and work distraction-free. And since it works on any device, it also helps students avoid buying overly expensive hardware. That means more money for extracurricular activities.

Price: Free, but some homework services require payment Availability: iOS and Android

HwPic is a tutoring service that allows students to take send pictures of their homework to tutors, who will then respond within minutes to your questions with a step-by-step solution. There’s even an option to expedite the answers if a student is in a hurry. HwPic Co-Founder Tiklat Issa said that the app was initially rejected by Apple’s App Store, which believed it would promote cheating, but he successfully argued that just because someone uses the app in a way that it’s not meant to be used doesn’t mean the app should be punished.

Issa added that HwPic prohibits cheating in its terms and conditions. Tutors don’t solve homework that has words like “Quiz” or “Exam,” and they often know if a student is sending a photo during a test if they’ve paid for expedited answers, and if the photo is dim, blurry and taken under a desk. “We’ve minimized cheating,” said Issa. “We haven’t eliminated it. That’s kind of unrealistic.”

Wolfram Alpha

Price : $2.99 Availability : iOS and Android

Wolfram Alpha is similar to PhotoMath, only that it targets older students studying high levels of math and doesn’t support photos. The service also outputs step-by-step solutions to topics as advanced as vector calculus and differential equations, making it a popular tool for college students.

“It’s cheating not doing computer-based math, because we’re cheating students out of real conceptual understanding and an ability to drive much further forward in the math they can do, to cover much more conceptual ground. And in turn, that’s cheating our economies,” said Conrad Wolfram, Wolfram Research’s Director of Strategic Development, in a TEDx Talk . “People talk about the knowledge economy. I think we’re moving forward to what we’re calling the computational knowledge economy.”

Homework Helper

Price: Free Availability: iOS and Android

Chinese Internet search company Baidu launched an app called Homework Helper this year with which students can crowdsource help or answers to homework. Users post a picture or type their homework questions onto online forums, and those who answer the questions can win e-coins that can be used to buy electronics like iPhones and laptops.

The app has logged 5 million downloads, much to the dismay of many some parents who argue that the students spend less time thinking about challenging problems. A Homework Helper staffer admitted to Quartz , “I think this is a kind of cheating.”

Price: Free, but some homework services require payment Availability: iOS

Slader is a crowdsourcing app for high school and college students to post and answer questions in math and science. While students can post original homework for help, many questions in popular textbooks have already been answered on the app, according to Fast Company . An Illinois high school said earlier this year that it suspected students were using the service to cheat on their math homework.

Slader argues that it’s “challenging traditional ideas about math and education,” and said that the ideas behind its app “aren’t a write-off to teachers,” according to its blog . Slader told San Francisco media outlet KQED that it shouldn’t be dismissed as a cheating tool, but rather considered a way for students to access real-time help.

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This app doesn't just do your homework for you, it shows you how

By Paul Miller

Share this story

A little confession from me. I was homeschooled (that's not the confession part), and in 8th grade my algebra textbook had the answers to half the problems in the back. And when I was stumped, I would cheat.

Sorry, mom!

Of course, cheating at math is a terrible way to learn, because the whole point isn't to know the answer to 2x + 2 = 7x - 5, it's to understand the methodology that can solve any like problem.

But what if you could cheat at your homework and learn? That seems to be the premise behind app called Socratic . Or at least that's my takeaway. The app lets you take a picture of a problem (you can also type it in, but that's a little laborious), and it'll not only give you an answer, but the steps necessary to to arrive at that answer — and even detailed explanations of the steps and concepts if you need them.

The app is actually designed to answer any kind of school question — science, history, etc. — but the math thing is the slickest part. For other kinds of questions, Socratic kind of does a bit of Googling, and in my experience can typically find similar word problems on the wide internet, or from its own database of answers. On about half the middle school science problems I tried, the app was able to identify the topic at question and show me additional resources about the concepts involved, but for others it was no more powerful than a simple web search.

But for algebra this thing is sick. I pointed it at 2x + 2 = 7x - 5, which I wrote down at random, and it gave me a 10 step process that results in x = 7/5. It has trouble with word problems, but if you can write down a word problem in math notation it shouldn't be an issue. I also tried it on a weird fraction from an AP algebra exam, which it kind of failed at, but then I swiped over and it was showing me this graph, which included the correct answer:

I love this app, not just because it would've helped 8th grade Paul out of a jam, but because it's such a computery use of computers. You use the tiny computer in your pocket to be basically smarter than you already are. It's technology that augments a human brain, not just a distraction.

The creator of Socratic just open sourced its step-by-step solver , called mathsteps. There are a lot of computer-based algebra solvers out there, but for Socratic they had to do some extra engineering to get at the steps a human would need to solve the same problem.

Also, I'd be remiss not to mention Photomath , which has been doing this since 2014, and actually has step-by-step explanations in the recently released Photomath+ paid version (there's a free trial). I like the Socratic interface and explanations a bit better, but I'm glad to see this is a vibrant market.

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How Teens Use Technology to Cheat in School

Why teens cheat, text messaging during tests, storing notes, copying and pasting, social media, homework apps and websites, talk to your teen.

• Expectations and Consequences

When you were in school, teens who were cheating were likely looking at a neighbor’s paper or copying a friend’s homework. The most high-tech attempts to cheat may have involved a student who wrote the answers to a test on the cover of their notebook.

Cheating in today’s world has evolved, and unfortunately, become pervasive. Technology makes cheating all too tempting, common, and easy to pull off. Not only can kids use their phones to covertly communicate with each other, but they can also easily look up answers or get their work done on the Internet.

In one study, a whopping 35% of teens admit to using their smartphones to cheat on homework or tests. 65% of the same surveyed students also stated they have seen others use their phones to cheat in school. Other research has also pointed to widespread academic indiscretions among teens.

Sadly, academic dishonesty often is easily normalized among teens. Many of them may not even recognize that sharing answers, looking up facts online, consulting a friend, or using a homework app could constitute cheating. It may be a slippery slope as well, with kids fudging the honesty line a tiny bit here or there before beginning full-fledged cheating.

For those who are well aware that their behavior constitutes cheating, the academic pressure to succeed may outweigh the risk of getting caught. They may want to get into top colleges or earn scholarships for their grades. Some teens may feel that the best way to gain a competitive edge is by cheating.

Other students may just be looking for shortcuts. It may seem easier to cheat rather than look up the answers, figure things out in their heads, or study for a test. Plus, it can be rationalized that they are "studying" on their phone rather than actually cheating.

Teens with busy schedules may be especially tempted to cheat. The demands of sports, a part-time job , family commitments, or other after-school responsibilities can make academic dishonesty seem like a time-saving option.

Sometimes, there’s also a fairly low risk of getting caught. Some teachers rely on an honor system, and in some cases, technology has evolved faster than school policies. Many teachers lack the resources to detect academic dishonesty in the classroom. However, increasingly, there are programs and methods that let teachers scan student work for plagiarism.

Finally, some teens get confused about their family's values and may forget that learning is the goal of schooling rather than just the grades they get. They may assume that their parent would rather they cheat than get a bad grade—or they fear disappointing them. Plus, they see so many other kids cheating that it may start to feel expected.

It’s important to educate yourself about the various ways that today’s teens are cheating so you can be aware of the temptations your teen may face. Let's look at how teens are using phones and technology to cheat.

Texting is one of the fastest ways for students to get answers to test questions from other students in the room—it's become the modern equivalent of note passing. Teens hide their smartphones on their seats and text one another, looking down to view responses while the teacher isn't paying attention.

Teens often admit the practice is easy to get away with even when phones aren't allowed (provided the teacher isn't walking around the room to check for cellphones).

Some teens store notes for test time on their cell phones and access these notes during class. As with texting, this is done on the sly, hiding the phone from view.  The internet offers other unusual tips for cheating with notes, too.

For example, several sites guide teens to print their notes out in the nutrition information portion of a water bottle label, providing a downloadable template to do so. Teens replace the water or beverage bottle labels with their own for a nearly undetectable setup, especially in a large class. This, of course, only works if the teacher allows beverages during class.

Rather than conduct research to find sources, some students are copying and pasting material. They may plagiarize a report by trying to pass off a Wikipedia article as their own paper, for example.

Teachers may get wise to this type of plagiarism by doing a simple internet search of their own. Pasting a few sentences of a paper into a search engine can help teachers identify if the content was taken from a website.

A few websites offer complete research papers for free based on popular subjects or common books. Others allow students to purchase a paper. Then, a professional writer, or perhaps even another student, will complete the report for them.

Teachers may be able to detect this type of cheating when a student’s paper seems to be written in a different voice. A perfectly polished paper may indicate a ninth-grade student’s work isn’t their own. Teachers may also just be able to tell that the paper just doesn't sound like the student who turned it in.

Crowdsourced sites such as Homework Helper also provide their share of homework answers. Students simply ask a question and others chime in to give them the answers.

Teenagers use social media to help one another on tests, too. It only takes a second to capture a picture of an exam when the teacher isn’t looking.

That picture may then be shared with friends who want a sneak peek of the test before they take it. The photo may be uploaded to a special Facebook group or simply shared via text message. Then, other teens can look up the answers to the exam once they know the questions ahead of time.

While many tech-savvy cheating methods aren’t all that surprising, some methods require very little effort on the student’s part. Numerous free math apps such as Photomath allow a student to take a picture of the math problem. The app scans the problem and spits out the answers, even for complex algebra problems. That means students can quickly complete the homework without actually understanding the material.

Other apps, such as HWPic , send a picture of the problem to an actual tutor, who offers a step-by-step solution to the problem. While some students may use this to better understand their homework, others just copy down the answers, complete with the steps that justify the answer.

Websites such as Cymayth and Wolfram Alpha solve math problems on the fly—Wolfram can even handle college-level math problems. While the sites and apps state they are designed to help students figure out how to do the math, they are also used by students who would rather have the answers without the effort required to think them through on their own.

Other apps quickly translate foreign languages. Rather than have to decipher what a recording says or translate written words, apps can easily translate the information for the student.

The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to talk to teens about cheating and their expectations for honesty, school, and communication. Many parents may have never had a serious talk with their child about cheating. It may not even come up unless their child gets caught cheating. Some parents may not think it’s necessary to discuss because they assume their child would never cheat. 

However, clearly, the statistics show that many kids do engage in academic discretions. So, don’t assume your child wouldn’t cheat. Often, "good kids" and "honest kids" make bad decisions. Make it clear to your teen that you value hard work and honesty.

Talk to your teen regularly about the dangers of cheating. Make it clear that cheaters tend not to get ahead in life.

Discuss the academic and social consequences of cheating, too. For example, your teen might get a zero or get kicked out of a class for cheating. Even worse, other people may not believe them when they tell the truth if they become known as dishonest or a cheater. It could also go on their transcripts, which could impair their academic future.

It’s important for your teen to understand that cheating—and heavy cell phone use—can take a toll on their mental health , as well. Additionally, studies make clear that poor mental health, particularly relating to self-image, stress levels, and academic engagement, makes kids more likely to indulge in academic dishonestly. So, be sure to consider the whole picture of why your child may be cheating or feel tempted to cheat.

A 2016 study found that cheaters actually cheat themselves out of happiness. Although they may think the advantage they gain by cheating will make them happier, research shows cheating causes people to feel worse.

Establish Clear Expectations and Consequences

Deciphering what constitutes cheating in today's world can be a little tricky. If your teen uses a homework app to get help, is that cheating? What if they use a website that translates Spanish into English? Also, note that different teachers have different expectations and will allow different levels of outside academic support.

Expectations

So, you may need to take it on a case-by-case basis to determine whether your teen's use of technology enhances or hinders their learning and/or is approved by their teacher. When in doubt, you can always ask the teacher directly if using technology for homework or other projects is acceptable.

To help prevent cheating, take a firm, clear stance so that your child understands your values and expectations. Also, make sure they have any needed supports in place so that they aren't tempted to cheat due to academic frustrations or challenges.

Tell your teen, ideally before an incident of academic dishonesty occurs, that you don’t condone cheating of any kind and you’d prefer a bad grade over dishonesty.

Stay involved in your teen’s education. Know what type of homework your teen is doing and be aware of the various ways your teen may be tempted to use their laptop or smartphone to cheat.

To encourage honesty in your child, help them develop a healthy moral compass by being an honest role model. If you cheat on your taxes or lie about your teen’s age to get into the movies for a cheaper price, you may send them the message that cheating is acceptable.

Consequences

If you do catch your teen cheating, take action . Just because your teen insists, “Everyone uses an app to get homework done,” don’t blindly believe it or let that give them a free pass. Instead, reiterate your expectations and provide substantive consequences. These may include removing phone privileges for a specified period of time. Sometimes the loss of privileges —such as your teen’s electronics—for 24 hours is enough to send a clear message.

Allow your teen to face consequences at school as well. If they get a zero on a test for cheating, don’t argue with the teacher. Instead, let your teen know that cheating has serious ramifications—and that they will not get away with this behavior.

However, do find out why your teen is cheating. Consider if they're over-scheduled or afraid they can’t keep up with their peers. Are they struggling to understand the material? Do they feel unhealthy pressure to excel? Ask questions to gain an understanding so you can help prevent cheating in the future and ensure they can succeed on their own.

It’s better for your teen to learn lessons about cheating now, rather than later in life. Dishonesty can have serious consequences. Cheating in college could get your teen expelled and cheating at a future job could get them fired or it could even lead to legal action. Cheating on a future partner could lead to the end of the relationship.

A Word From Verywell

Make sure your teen knows that honesty and focusing on learning rather than only on getting "good grades," at all costs, really is the best policy. Talk about honesty often and validate your teen’s feelings when they're frustrated with schoolwork—and the fact that some students who cheat seem to get ahead without getting caught. Assure them that ultimately, people who cheat truly are cheating themselves.

Common Sense Media. It's ridiculously easy for kids to cheat now .

Common Sense Media. 35% of kids admit to using cell phones to cheat .

Isakov M, Tripathy A. Behavioral correlates of cheating: environmental specificity and reward expectation .  PLoS One . 2017;12(10):e0186054. Published 2017 Oct 26. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0186054

Marksteiner T, Nishen AK, Dickhäuser O. Students' perception of teachers' reference norm orientation and cheating in the classroom .  Front Psychol . 2021;12:614199. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.614199

Khan ZR, Sivasubramaniam S, Anand P, Hysaj A. ‘ e’-thinking teaching and assessment to uphold academic integrity: lessons learned from emergency distance learning .  International Journal for Educational Integrity . 2021;17(1):17. doi:10.1007/s40979-021-00079-5

Farnese ML, Tramontano C, Fida R, Paciello M. Cheating behaviors in academic context: does academic moral disengagement matter?   Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences . 2011;29:356-365. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.11.250

Pew Research Center. How parents and schools regulate teens' mobile phones .

Mohammad Abu Taleb BR, Coughlin C, Romanowski MH, Semmar Y, Hosny KH. Students, mobile devices and classrooms: a comparison of US and Arab undergraduate students in a middle eastern university .  HES . 2017;7(3):181. doi:10.5539/hes.v7n3p181

Gasparyan AY, Nurmashev B, Seksenbayev B, Trukhachev VI, Kostyukova EI, Kitas GD. Plagiarism in the context of education and evolving detection strategies .  J Korean Med Sci . 2017;32(8):1220-1227. doi:10.3346/jkms.2017.32.8.1220

Bretag T. Challenges in addressing plagiarism in education .  PLoS Med . 2013;10(12):e1001574. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001574

American Academy of Pediatrics. Competition and cheating .

Korn L, Davidovitch N. The Profile of academic offenders: features of students who admit to academic dishonesty .  Med Sci Monit . 2016;22:3043-3055. doi:10.12659/msm.898810

Abi-Jaoude E, Naylor KT, Pignatiello A. Smartphones, social media use and youth mental health .  CMAJ . 2020;192(6):E136-E141. doi:10.1503/cmaj.190434

Stets JE, Trettevik R. Happiness and Identities . Soc Sci Res. 2016;58:1-13. doi:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2016.04.011

Lenhart A. Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015 . Pew Research Center.

By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, an international bestselling author of books on mental strength and host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. She delivered one of the most popular TEDx talks of all time.

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10 Top Homework Apps and Websites (Purpose, FAQs)

• May 31, 2023

When faced with challenging homework assignments, students often seek additional resources to help them find answers or complete their tasks. 

In today’s digital age, numerous websites cater to this demand by providing homework cheat solutions. 

These websites offer various services, including pre-written essays, solving math problems, and comprehensive study guides. 

In this article, we will explore some of the top homework cheat websites and their features and discuss the implications of using them as a student.

Table of Contents

What is the Purpose of Homework For Students?

The purpose of homework is to teach students how to study independently outside of class and to provide them with practice with the skills they need to succeed in the classroom.

Problem-solving skills are honed through homework. Having homework provides students with an additional chance to go over their notes.

Parents might gain insight into their children’s educational progress through homework. Students learn to take ownership of their education by participating in homework.

10 Top Homework Cheat Apps and Websites

1. course hero.

Course Hero has established itself as a leading homework cheat website since its inception in 2006. 

It has gained immense popularity among students seeking study aids, homework answers, and course notes. 

The website’s user-friendly interface and direct access to answers make it a preferred choice for many students. 

Additionally, Course Hero’s provision of comprehensive course notes sets it apart from other websites, attracting a large user base. 

2. EduBirdie

With a focus on confidentiality and credibility, EduBirdie provides students with a convenient platform to seek help and improve their university or college grades. 

Their team of professional writers ensures the delivery of high-quality and customized essays tailored to each student’s specific requirements. 

3. EssayPro

EssayPro is a leading academic platform that provides reliable homework answers to students worldwide. 

With a vast network of professional writers and tutors, EssayPro offers expertise in various academic assignments. 

Whether you need help with coursework, case studies, essays, or dissertations, their experienced professionals are ready to assist you. 

What sets EssayPro apart is its rigorous writer rating system, based on feedback and reviews from previous customers. 

This ensures that you receive high-quality work from trusted experts. 

4. DoMyCoding.com 

This is a prominent website in the realm of homework cheats, offering a wide array of subjects, mainly focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math ( STEM ). It is one of the top homework cheat apps and websites.

It is trendy among IT students who strive to excel in their exams. 

This platform is a comprehensive resource for finding answers to coding-related assignments and provides instruction tailored to the student’s proficiency level. 

5. Yahoo! Answers

Yahoo! Answers, a popular platform, can be considered a homework cheat website due to its question-and-answer format. 

Students can post questions across various topics, from computer and internet-related queries to business, finance, mathematics, science, and more. 

The website relies on its community of members who provide answers to these questions. 

Once a response is received, it can be edited and organized to ensure user satisfaction. 

Yahoo! Answers aims to provide organized solutions so students find the necessary information and return to the site. 

6. Answer.com

Answer.com, also known as Answer.com LLC or Answer Corporation, is a popular website that offers students a quick solution for researching various topics and accessing additional content. 

With its vast database, students can search for answers to their homework questions and find solutions with just a few clicks. 

Answer.com attracts over 2 million daily views, indicating its popularity among students seeking quick assistance. 

7. Photomath

Photomath is a popular and influential homework cheat app that has gained recognition for its advanced mathematical problem-solving capabilities. 

With a simple snap of a photo, Photomath uses cutting-edge technology to recognize and solve math equations, providing step-by-step solutions instantly. 

This app supports various math subjects, including arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. 

Mathway is a renowned and highly effective homework cheat app that caters to math-related assignments. It is one of the top homework cheat apps and websites.

With its user-friendly interface and robust algorithm, Mathway provides step-by-step solutions to various math problems, including algebra, calculus, geometry, and more. 

Students can enter their equations or problems into the app, and Mathway instantly generates detailed solutions, making it an appealing choice for those seeking quick answers. 

However, it’s essential to exercise caution and use Mathway responsibly, ensuring that the app is used as a learning tool rather than a means to cheat. 

Brainly is a popular online platform that provides homework help and is sometimes seen as a homework cheat app due to its collaborative nature. 

With a vast community of students and educators, Brainly allows users to ask and answer questions across various subjects. 

While it can be a valuable resource for understanding complex concepts and receiving guidance, it’s essential to approach it with caution. 

10. Quizlet

Quizlet is a highly regarded learning platform, but it’s essential to distinguish its legitimate use for studying from its potential misuse as a homework cheat app. 

It is one of the top homework cheat apps and websites.

With a vast database of study materials, flashcards, and practice quizzes, Quizlet is a valuable tool for reviewing and reinforcing concepts. 

Why Students Shouldn’t Use Cheat Homework Websites

1. academic integrity.

Cheating on homework goes against the principles of academic integrity . It undermines the purpose of education, which is to learn and develop essential skills. 

Engaging in cheating behaviors not only compromises your personal integrity but also devalues the educational system.

2. Lack of Learning

The primary goal of homework is to reinforce what you have learned in class. 

By using cheat websites, you bypass the opportunity to engage with the material, think critically, and develop problem-solving skills. 

Ultimately, you cheat yourself out of the valuable learning experience.

3. Negative Consequences

If you are caught using cheat websites, the consequences can be severe. 

Academic penalties can range from receiving a failing grade on the assignment to disciplinary actions such as suspension or expulsion. 

Additionally, it can damage your reputation and future academic and professional prospects.

4. Skill Development

Homework assignments help you develop essential skills such as research, critical thinking, and time management. 

By relying on cheat websites, you miss out on the opportunity to improve these skills, which are crucial for academic success and beyond.

5. Long-Term Impact

Cheating on homework may provide temporary relief or better grades in the short term, but it hinders your long-term growth and development. 

The knowledge and skills gained through genuine effort and hard work are more valuable and sustainable in the long run.

The Role of Cheating Websites and AI in Education

Cheating websites and AI-powered platforms have become prevalent in education, offering students opportunities and ethical challenges. 

It’s essential to recognize that the label of “cheating” is attributed to these websites based on the students’ intentions and actions.

AI websites, in particular, have immense potential to enhance learning. 

They can provide personalized study materials, interactive tutorials, and intelligent feedback, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject. 

However, these same AI platforms can be misused by students seeking shortcuts or engaging in academic dishonesty.

Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the students to utilize these tools and websites ethically. 

Instead of relying on cheating websites, students should leverage AI platforms as valuable learning resources and engage in honest academic practices. 

By embracing a genuine desire to learn, grow, and excel, students can harness the full potential of technology while upholding integrity in their educational journey.

FAQs on Top Homework Cheat Websites

Cheating websites are online platforms that offer solutions and resources for students to cheat on their homework or assignments. These websites provide pre-written essays, answers to exam questions, and other forms of academic dishonesty.

Students can avoid using cheating websites by adopting good study habits, managing their time effectively, seeking help from teachers or tutors when needed, and utilizing legitimate educational resources. Students can resist cheating websites by focusing on genuine learning, personal growth, and academic integrity.

Using cheating websites can have severe consequences for students. It undermines their learning and academic development and violates academic integrity policies and ethical standards. Students caught using cheating websites may face disciplinary actions, damage their academic reputation, and compromise their long-term educational goals.

Instead of resorting to cheating websites, students can explore alternative options. These include seeking help from teachers, joining study groups, utilizing online educational platforms that promote active learning, conducting thorough research, and practicing effective study techniques. These alternatives encourage genuine understanding, critical thinking, and the development of valuable skills.

Conclusion  

While homework cheat websites may appear tempting with their promises of quick solutions and ready-made answers, it’s crucial to consider the potential consequences before relying on them. 

Academic honesty and personal growth should always be prioritized over short-term gains. 

Instead of resorting to cheating, students are encouraged to seek legitimate resources such as online tutorials, study groups, and academic support services to enhance their understanding and skills. 

Remember, the ultimate goal of education is not just to complete assignments but to learn and grow as individuals.

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Listen: we know homework isn’t fun, but it is a good way to reinforce the ideas and concepts you’ve learned in class. But what if you’re really struggling with your homework assignments?

If you’ve looked online for a little extra help with your take-home assignments, you’ve probably stumbled across websites claiming to provide the homework help and answers students need to succeed . But can homework help sites really make a difference? And if so, which are the best homework help websites you can use? 

Below, we answer these questions and more about homework help websites–free and paid. We’ll go over: 

• The basics of homework help websites
• The cost of homework help websites 
• The five best homework websites out there 
• The pros and cons of using these websites for homework help 
• The line between “learning” and “cheating” when using online homework help 
• Tips for getting the most out of a homework help website

So let’s get started! 

The Basics About Homework Help Websites–Free and Paid

Homework help websites are designed to help you complete your homework assignments, plain and simple. 

What Makes a Homework Help Site Worth Using

Most of the best sites allow users to ask questions and then provide an answer (or multiple possible answers) and explanation in seconds. In some instances, you can even send a photo of a particular assignment or problem instead of typing the whole thing out! 

Homework help sites also offer more than just help answering homework questions. Common services provided are Q&A with experts, educational videos, lectures, practice tests and quizzes, learning modules, math solving tools, and proofreading help. Homework help sites can also provide textbook solutions (i.e. answers to problems in tons of different textbooks your school might be using), one-on-one tutoring, and peer-to-peer platforms that allow you to discuss subjects you’re learning about with your fellow students. 

And best of all, nearly all of them offer their services 24/7, including tutoring! 

What You Should Should Look Out For

When it comes to homework help, there are lots–and we mean lots –of scam sites out there willing to prey on desperate students. Before you sign up for any service, make sure you read reviews to ensure you’re working with a legitimate company. 

A word to the wise: the more a company advertises help that veers into the territory of cheating, the more likely it is to be a scam. The best homework help websites are going to help you learn the concepts you’ll need to successfully complete your homework on your own. (We’ll go over the difference between “homework help” and “cheating” a little later!) 

You don't need a golden piggy bank to use homework help websites. Some provide low or no cost help for students like you!

How Expensive Are the Best Homework Help Websites?

First of all, just because a homework help site costs money doesn’t mean it’s a good service. Likewise, just because a homework help website is free doesn’t mean the help isn’t high quality. To find the best websites, you have to take a close look at the quality and types of information they provide! 

When it comes to paid homework help services, the prices vary pretty widely depending on the amount of services you want to subscribe to. Subscriptions can cost anywhere from $2 to $150 dollars per month, with the most expensive services offering several hours of one-on-one tutoring with a subject expert per month.

The 5 Best Homework Help Websites 

So, what is the best homework help website you can use? The answer is that it depends on what you need help with. 

The best homework help websites are the ones that are reliable and help you learn the material. They don’t just provide answers to homework questions–they actually help you learn the material. 

That’s why we’ve broken down our favorite websites into categories based on who they’re best for . For instance, the best website for people struggling with math might not work for someone who needs a little extra help with science, and vice versa. 

Keep reading to find the best homework help website for you! 

Best Free Homework Help Site: Khan Academy

• Price: Free!
• Best for: Practicing tough material 

Not only is Khan Academy free, but it’s full of information and can be personalized to suit your needs. When you set up your account , you choose which courses you need to study, and Khan Academy sets up a personal dashboard of instructional videos, practice exercises, and quizzes –with both correct and incorrect answer explanations–so you can learn at your own pace. 

As an added bonus, it covers more course topics than many other homework help sites, including several AP classes.

Runner Up: Brainly.com offers a free service that allows you to type in questions and get answers and explanations from experts. The downside is that you’re limited to two answers per question and have to watch ads. 

Best Paid Homework Help Site: Chegg

• Price: $14.95 to $19.95 per month
• Best for: 24/7 homework assistance  

This service has three main parts . The first is Chegg Study, which includes textbook solutions, Q&A with subject experts, flashcards, video explanations, a math solver, and writing help. The resources are thorough, and reviewers state that Chegg answers homework questions quickly and accurately no matter when you submit them.  

Chegg also offers textbook rentals for students who need access to textbooks outside of their classroom. Finally, Chegg offers Internship and Career Advice for students who are preparing to graduate and may need a little extra help with the transition out of high school. 

Another great feature Chegg provides is a selection of free articles geared towards helping with general life skills, like coping with stress and saving money. Chegg’s learning modules are comprehensive, and they feature solutions to the problems in tons of different textbooks in a wide variety of subjects. 

Runner Up: Bartleby offers basically the same services as Chegg for $14.99 per month. The reason it didn’t rank as the best is based on customer reviews that say user questions aren’t answered quite as quickly on this site as on Chegg. Otherwise, this is also a solid choice!

Best Site for Math Homework Help: Photomath

• Price: Free (or $59.99 per year for premium services) 
• Best for: Explaining solutions to math problems

This site allows you to t ake a picture of a math problem, and instantly pulls up a step-by-step solution, as well as a detailed explanation of the concept. Photomath also includes animated videos that break down mathematical concepts to help you better understand and remember them. 

The basic service is free, but for an additional fee you can get extra study tools and learn additional strategies for solving common math problems.

Runner Up: KhanAcademy offers in-depth tutorials that cover complex math topics for free, but you won’t get the same tailored help (and answers!) that Photomath offers. 

Best Site for English Homework Help: Princeton Review Academic Tutoring

• Price: $40 to $153 per month, depending on how many hours of tutoring you want 
• Best for: Comprehensive and personalized reading and writing help 

While sites like Grammarly and Sparknotes help you by either proofreading what you write via an algorithm or providing book summaries, Princeton Review’s tutors provide in-depth help with vocabulary, literature, essay writing and development, proofreading, and reading comprehension. And unlike other services, you’ll have the chance to work with a real person to get help. 

The best part is that you can get on-demand English (and ESL) tutoring from experts 24/7. That means you can get help whenever you need it, even if you’re pulling an all-nighter! 

This is by far the most expensive homework site on this list, so you’ll need to really think about what you need out of a homework help website before you commit. One added benefit is that the subscription covers over 80 other subjects, including AP classes, which can make it a good value if you need lots of help!  

Best Site for STEM Homework Help: Studypool

• Best for: Science homework help
• Price: Varies; you’ll pay for each question you submit

When it comes to science homework help, there aren’t a ton of great resources out there. The best of the bunch is Studypool, and while it has great reviews, there are some downsides as well. 

Let’s start with the good stuff. Studypool offers an interesting twist on the homework help formula. After you create a free account, you can submit your homework help questions, and tutors will submit bids to answer your questions. You’ll be able to select the tutor–and price point–that works for you, then you’ll pay to have your homework question answered. You can also pay a small fee to access notes, lectures, and other documents that top tutors have uploaded. 

The downside to Studypool is that the pricing is not transparent . There’s no way to plan for how much your homework help will cost, especially if you have lots of questions! Additionally, it’s not clear how tutors are selected, so you’ll need to be cautious when you choose who you’d like to answer your homework questions.  

What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Homework Help Sites?

Homework help websites can be a great resource if you’re struggling in a subject, or even if you just want to make sure that you’re really learning and understanding topics and ideas that you’re interested in. But, there are some possible drawbacks if you don’t use these sites responsibly. 

We’ll go over the good–and the not-so-good–aspects of getting online homework help below. 

3 Pros of Using Homework Help Websites 

First, let’s take a look at the benefits. 

#1: Better Grades Beyond Homework

This is a big one! Getting outside help with your studies can improve your understanding of concepts that you’re learning, which translates into better grades when you take tests or write essays. 

Remember: homework is designed to help reinforce the concepts you learned in class. If you just get easy answers without learning the material behind the problems, you may not have the tools you need to be successful on your class exams…or even standardized tests you’ll need to take for college. 

#2: Convenience

One of the main reasons that online homework help is appealing is because it’s flexible and convenient. You don’t have to go to a specific tutoring center while they’re open or stay after school to speak with your teacher. Instead, you can access helpful resources wherever you can access the internet, whenever you need them.

This is especially true if you tend to study at off hours because of your extracurriculars, work schedule, or family obligations. Sites that offer 24/7 tutoring can give you the extra help you need if you can’t access the free resources that are available at your school. 

#3: Variety

Not everyone learns the same way. Maybe you’re more of a visual learner, but your teacher mostly does lectures. Or maybe you learn best by listening and taking notes, but you’re expected to learn something just from reading the textbook . 

One of the best things about online homework help is that it comes in a variety of forms. The best homework help sites offer resources for all types of learners, including videos, practice activities, and even one-on-one discussions with real-life experts. 

This variety can also be a good thing if you just don’t really resonate with the way a concept is being explained (looking at you, math textbooks!).

Not so fast. There are cons to homework help websites, too. Get to know them below!

3 Cons of Using Homework Help Websites 

Now, let’s take a look at the drawbacks of online homework help. 

#1: Unreliable Info

This can be a real problem. In addition to all the really good homework help sites, there are a whole lot of disreputable or unreliable sites out there. The fact of the matter is that some homework help sites don’t necessarily hire people who are experts in the subjects they’re talking about. In those cases, you may not be getting the accurate, up-to-date, and thorough information you need.

Additionally, even the great sites may not be able to answer all of your homework questions. This is especially true if the site uses an algorithm or chatbot to help students…or if you’re enrolled in an advanced or college-level course. In these cases, working with your teacher or school-provided tutors are probably your best option. 

#2: No Clarification

This depends on the service you use, of course. But the majority of them provide free or low-cost help through pre-recorded videos. Watching videos or reading info online can definitely help you with your homework… but you can’t ask questions or get immediate feedback if you need it .

#3: Potential For Scamming 

Like we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of homework help websites out there, and lots of them are scams. The review comments we read covered everything from outdated or wrong information, to misleading claims about the help provided, to not allowing people to cancel their service after signing up. 

No matter which site you choose to use, make sure you research and read reviews before you sign up–especially if it’s a paid service! 

When Does “Help” Become “Cheating”?

Admittedly, whether using homework help websites constitutes cheating is a bit of a grey area. For instance, is it “help” when a friend reads your essay for history class and corrects your grammar, or is it “cheating”? The truth is, not everyone agrees on when “help” crosses the line into “cheating .” When in doubt, it can be a good idea to check with your teacher to see what they think about a particular type of help you want to get. 

That said, a general rule of thumb to keep in mind is to make sure that the assignment you turn in for credit is authentically yours . It needs to demonstrate your own thoughts and your own current abilities. Remember: the point of every homework assignment is to 1) help you learn something, and 2) show what you’ve learned. 

So if a service answers questions or writes essays for you, there’s a good chance using it constitutes cheating. 

Here’s an example that might help clarify the difference for you. Brainstorming essay ideas with others or looking online for inspiration is “help” as long as you write the essay yourself. Having someone read it and give you feedback about what you need to change is also help, provided you’re the one that makes the changes later. 

But copying all or part of an essay you find online or having someone write (or rewrite) the whole thing for you would be “cheating.” The same is true for other subjects. Ultimately, if you’re not generating your own work or your own answers, it’s probably cheating.

5 Tips for Finding the Best Homework Help Websites for You

Now that you know some of our favorite homework help websites, free and paid, you can start doing some additional research on your own to decide which services might work best for you! Here are some top tips for choosing a homework help website. 

Tip 1: Decide How You Learn Best 

Before you decide which site or sites you’re going to use for homework help, y ou should figure out what kind of learning style works for you the most. Are you a visual learner? Then choose a site that uses lots of videos to help explain concepts. If you know you learn best by actually doing tasks, choose a site that provides lots of practice exercises.

Tip 2: Determine Which Subjects You Need Help With

Just because a homework help site is good overall doesn’t mean that it’s equally good for every subject. If you only need help in math, choose a site that specializes in that area. But if history is where you’re struggling, a site that specializes in math won’t be much help. So make sure to choose a site that you know provides high-quality help in the areas you need it most. 

Tip 3: Decide How Much One-On-One Help You Need 

This is really about cost-effectiveness. If you learn well on your own by reading and watching videos, a free site like Khan Academy is a good choice. But if you need actual tutoring, or to be able to ask questions and get personalized answers from experts, a paid site that provides that kind of service may be a better option.

Tip 4: Set a Budget

If you decide you want to go with a paid homework help website, set a budget first . The prices for sites vary wildly, and the cost to use them can add up quick. 

Tip 5: Read the Reviews

Finally, it’s always a good idea to read actual reviews written by the people using these homework sites. You’ll learn the good, the bad, and the ugly of what the users’ experiences have been. This is especially true if you intend to subscribe to a paid service. You’ll want to make sure that users think it’s worth the price overall!

What’s Next?

If you want to get good grades on your homework, it’s a good idea to learn how to tackle it strategically. Our expert tips will help you get the most out of each assignment…and boost your grades in the process.

Doing well on homework assignments is just one part of getting good grades. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about getting great grades in high school in this article.

Of course, test grades can make or break your GPA, too. Here are 17 expert tips that’ll help you get the most out of your study prep before you take an exam.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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AI Is Making It Extremely Easy for Students to Cheat

Denise Garcia knows that her students sometimes cheat, but the situation she unearthed in February seemed different. A math teacher in West Hartford, Connecticut, Garcia had accidentally included an advanced equation in a problem set for her AP Calculus class. Yet somehow a handful of students in the 15-person class solved it correctly. Those students had also shown their work, defeating the traditional litmus test for sussing out cheating in STEM classrooms.

Garcia was perplexed, until she remembered a conversation from a few years earlier. Some former students had told her about an online tool called Wolfram|Alpha that could complete complicated calculations in seconds. It provided both the answers and the steps for reaching them, making it virtually undetectable when copied as homework.

For years, students have turned to CliffsNotes for speedy reads of books, SparkNotes to whip up talking points for class discussions, and Wikipedia to pad their papers with historical tidbits. But today’s students have smarter tools at their disposal—namely, Wolfram|Alpha, a program that uses artificial intelligence to perfectly and untraceably solve equations. Wolfram|Alpha uses natural language processing technology, part of the AI family, to provide students with an academic shortcut that is faster than a tutor, more reliable than copying off of friends, and much easier than figuring out a solution yourself.

Since its release, Wolfram|Alpha has trickled through the education system, finding its way into the homework of college and high school students. Use of Wolfram|Alpha is difficult to trace, and in the hands of ambitious students, its perfect solutions are having unexpected consequences. It works by breaking down the pieces of a question, whether a mathematical problem or something like "What is the center of the United States?", and then cross-referencing those pieces against an enormous library of datasets that is constantly being expanded. These datasets include information on geodesic schemes, chemical compounds, human genes, historical weather measurements, and thousands of other topics that, when brought together, can be used to provide answers.

The system is constrained by the limits of its data library: It can’t interpret every question. It also can’t respond in natural language, or what a human would recognize as conversational speech. This is a stumbling block in AI in general. Even Siri, which relies heavily on Mathematica—another Wolfram Research product and the engine behind Wolfram|Alpha—can only answer questions in programmed response scripts, which are like a series of Mad Libs into which it plugs answers before spitting them out of your speaker or onto your screen.

Using Wolfram|Alpha is similar to executing a Google search, but Wolfram|Alpha delivers specific answers rather than endless pages of potentially relevant results. Anyone can go to the Wolfram|Alpha website, type a question or equation into a dialogue box, hit enter, and receive an answer. If you’re trying to solve x2 + 5x + 6 = 0, Wolfram|Alpha will give you the root plot, alternate forms, and solutions. If you are looking for a step-by-step explanation, there is a pro version available for $6.99/month with discounted options for students and educators.

I first heard about Wolfram|Alpha in my parents' kitchen. My father had come home from his job at a private school in Dobbs Ferry, New York. He dropped his bag on the floor, and asked me what I thought about Wolfram|Alpha. Earlier that day he had been confronted by STEM teachers who were frustrated with their students' use of the tool. It was, they said, blatant cheating. My father had left the office unsure of how to proceed. Should the school crack down on Wolfram|Alpha? Or did the school need to catch up to this new beat in education?

Boone Ashworth

Carlton Reid

Amanda Hoover

Reece Rogers

I’d never heard of it, but a quick post to Facebook revealed that many of my friends had—especially those studying math. Some had used it to get through college calculus, while a few were still using it at their jobs as engineers or quantitative analysts. The rise of Wolfram|Alpha had completely passed over my humanities-minded head, just as, for millions of minds, it had become ubiquitous. Turning to the tech for answers was, they said, normal. At the same time, all made it clear that they didn’t want their use of Wolfram|Alpha to be made public.

Though Wolfram|Alpha was designed to be an educational asset — a way to explore an equation from within— academia has found itself at a loss over how to respond. What some call cheating, others have heralded as a massive step forward in how we learn, what we teach, and what education is even good for. They say that Wolfram|Alpha is the future. Unsurprisingly, its creator agrees.

Stephen Wolfram, the mind behind Wolfram|Alpha, can’t do long division and didn’t learn his times tables until he’d hit 40. Indeed, the inspiration for Wolfram|Alpha, which he released in 2009, started with Wolfram’s own struggles as a math student. Growing up, Wolfram’s obsession was physics. By 12, he’d written a dictionary on physics, by his early teens he’d churned out three (as yet unpublished) books, and by 15 he was publishing scientific papers.

Despite his wunderkind science abilities, math was a constant stumbling block. He could come up with concepts, but executing calculations was hard. His solution was to get his hands on a computer. By programming it to solve equations and find patterns in data, he could leave the math to the machine and focus his brain on the science. It worked. In 1981, Wolfram became the youngest person to ever receive a MacArthur Fellowship. He was only 21.

Yet the tool that helped Wolfram build his reputation with physics ended up pulling him away from science. Wolfram became obsessed with complex systems and how computers could be used to study them. Five years after receiving his MacArthur Fellowship, Wolfram began developing Mathematica, and in 1988 Wolfram Research announced the release of its flagship product.

Wolfram never planned for his tool to become highbrow CliffsNotes, but he’s not too concerned about it, either. “Mechanical math,” Wolfram argues, “is a very low level of precise thinking.” Instead, Wolfram believes that we should be emphasizing computational thinking —something he describes as “trying to formulate your thoughts so that you can explain them to a sufficiently smart computer.” This has also been called computer-based math. Essentially, knowing algebra in today’s technology-saturated world won’t get you very far, but knowing how to ask a computer to do your algebra will. If students are making this shift, in his mind, they’re just ahead of the curve.

Alan Joyce, the director of content development for Wolfram Alpha, says that cheating is “absolutely the wrong way to look at what we do.” But the staff understands what might make teachers uncomfortable. Historically, education had to emphasize hand calculations, says John Dixon, a program manager at Wolfram Research. That’s because there wasn’t tech to fall back on and, when tech did start to appear, it wasn’t reliable. Only recently can computers calculate things automatically and precisely, and it’ll take some time for curriculums, and the teachers that are beholden to them, to catch up. Wolfram Research, Dixon says, wants to engage with teachers like Garcia, who are frustrated by the tool, to help them understand how it can help their students.

Indeed, the people who are directing the tool’s development view it as an educational equalizer that can give students who don’t have at-home homework helpers—like tutors or highly educated and accessible parents—access to what amounts to a personal tutor. It also has enormous potential within the classroom. A "show steps" button, which reveals the path to an answer, allows teachers to break down the components of a problem, rather than getting bogged down in mechanics. The "problem generator" can pull from real datasets to create relevant examples. “When you start to show educators the potential,” Dixon says, “you can see points where their eyes light up.”

For every teacher who’s converted to Dixon’s camp, there are multitudes of students who have been there for a while. As Alexander Feiner, an aspiring engineer and high school freshman told me, Wolfram|Alpha is a study aid, not a way of avoiding work — something that Dixon insists is the norm when it comes to out-of-classroom student use.

Still, the prevailing notion that Wolfram|Alpha is a form of cheating doesn’t appear to be dissipating. Much of this comes down to what homework is. If the purpose of homework is build greater understanding of concepts as presented in class, Joyce is adamant that teachers should view Wolfram|Alpha as an asset. It’s not that Wolfram Alpha has helped students “‘get through’ a math class by doing their homework for them,” he says, “but that we helped them actually understand what they were doing” in the first place. Dixon believes that Wolfram|Alpha can build confidence in students who don’t see themselves as having mathematical minds. Homework isn’t really about learning to do a calculation, but rather about learning to find and understand an answer regardless of how the calculation is executed.

That’s the route down which education appears to be headed. Once upon a time, education was all about packing as much information as possible into a human brain. Information was limited and expensive, and the smartest people were effectively the deepest and most organized filing cabinets. Today, it’s the opposite.“The notion of education as a transfer of information from experts to novices—and asking the novices to repeat that information, regurgitate it on command as proof that they have learned it—is completely disconnected from the reality of 2017,” says David Helfand, a Professor of Astronomy at Columbia University.

The technology isn’t going anywhere: Like copying out of the back of a book or splitting a problem set among friends, students aren’t likely to stop using Wolfram|Alpha just because a teacher says so. Even Garcia can see a future where Wolfram|Alpha fits in. “I think, in an ideal world, teachers, myself included, need to do a better job of incorporating technology…and finding ways of using it in productive ways,” she says.

Just as robotics has transformed manufacturing, tools like Wolfram|Alpha are forcing us to rethink an educational system by challenging it to rise to the new technological standard. Either we reshape our schools to embrace tools like Wolfram|Alpha, or we risk becoming living artifacts in a rapidly progressing world.

Steven Levy

Kathy Gilsinan

David Kushner

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The 8 Best Homework Apps to Help Students Stay on Track

Get homework help from AI, fellow students, and even real tutors.

Whether you're a school student or a college student, homework is an essential part of the learning process. Fortunately, there are plenty of apps that can help you get your homework done, the only trouble is knowing which apps are best to download. If you're a student, read on to take a look at some of the best homework apps for Android and iPhone.

Do you need help with math, biology, history, or physics? Brainly is the homework app for you. Using the app for homework help is as straightforward as taking a photo, typing, or voice searching the question or equation and then waiting for an answer.

All the answers come from Brainly's online community of other students as well as experts from around the world. However, if you aren't happy with the answers, you also have the option to ask the app's AI tutor, Ginny.

Moreover, you can assist other students with their own homework by answering their questions. Which questions you help out with can be filtered according to school level and subject.

Download: Brainly for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

2. Photomath

Unlike Brainly, the Photomath app is a pretty straightforward homework app and has one single core focus—math. Photomath is truly one of the best apps to help you solve math problems , and it works similarly in that you merely have to scan the problem with your phone and the app gives you instant answers.

But Photomath doesn't stop there, the app actually breaks down the entire equation and gives you a step-by-step explanation of how it came to the solution. What's more, you can tap on each step to see an even more detailed animated lesson with voice instructions.

In addition, the Photomath app includes a built-in calculator where you can type the question out instead of snapping a photo.

Download: Photomath for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

3. Chegg Study

Chegg Study is an app that provides many different homework and study tools on various subjects. If you have a basic question, you can either snap a photo, upload an image, or type it out. On the other hand, you can just scan the barcode of the textbook you're using with your mobile phone to find answers.

Another tool Chegg Study includes is over 500 million free flashcards on subjects like astronomy, business, chemistry, and psychology. Alternatively, you can use the app to create your own set of flashcards.

But the Chegg Study app also comes in handy if you need help with a specific course. All you have to do is add the course and the app provides everything you need to ace it, like expert Q&A and exam prep. Alternatively, there are a selection of Chegg alternatives you can try , too.

Download: Chegg Study for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

4. Course Hero

To get help with your homework, all you have to do is ask Course Hero. And asking is super simple. You can type in your question, snap a picture, or upload a document. If you're looking for assistance with math homework, there's even a dedicated Scan to Calculate option.

Using the Course Hero app, you can keep a library of all your homework documents and any other learning materials you need if you're completing a course.

What's more, Course Hero is available in your web browser if you need access to AI-powered homework assistance and a range of study resources while using your laptop or PC.

Download: Course Hero for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

5. Bartleby

The Bartley app can solve your math homework problems in a single snap. Yet possibly the best part is the 24/7 homework help from actual tutors. Simply select the subject, type out the question, and add an optional image.

Once you've sent in your question, all you have to do is wait and pretty soon you'll get assistance from an expert with Masters or PhDs. However, there is another way to get homework help and that's by using the Search tab.

Type in what you're looking for, and you can filter through the solutions according to the solution type or subject. Alternatively, you can search for homework help based on the textbooks you're using.

Download: Bartleby for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

6. ScanSolve

Quick, uncomplicated, and to the point is what you can expect from this homework app. ScanSolve uses AI to answer your questions and covers subjects like math, English, and science.

As with many of the other apps on this list, using ScanSolve is as easy as taking a picture of the questions you are struggling with. From there, you can either read the explanation of the results or chat with the AI tutor if you're unsure of the answer you received.

Download: ScanSolve for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

7. Homework.ai

The Homework.ai app offers homework help using the power of artificial intelligence. Some of the subjects the app covers include art, biology, computer science, math, music, and a selection of languages like Spanish and German.

To get started, choose a subject, type out or audio record your question, and AI does the rest. For a quicker solution, you can simply scan the question using your mobile phone. Keep in mind that everything in the app is generated by AI, so you might need to double-check the answers if you're not 100% sure.

Along with answering your basic homework questions, Homework.ai can help you with language translation, rewriting text, and summarizing text.

Download: Homework.ai for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

8. Zookal Study

If you need homework help immediately, but you'd prefer to get it from an actual experienced tutor instead of AI, then Zookal Study is the app for you.

The best bit is that you won't have to wait hours for solutions to your questions—Zookal promises to deliver in as little as 20 minutes. Zookal keeps track of all your questions and answers, and you have access to a library of online solutions on the Zookal website.

The app centers on one main tool, Ask a Question, which is where you can type out or snap a picture of your homework question. Additionally, Zookal is a study app you can use in any browser with an impressive selection of online tools ranging from test prep and textbooks to flashcards and videos.

Download: Zookal Study for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

Access Homework Help When You Really Need It

Have you ever been stuck trying to handle your homework all by yourself? Well, you don't have to. Now, getting homework help is as easy as downloading one or a couple of mobile apps.

There are a range of handy homework apps available, with some using artificial intelligence and some using expert online tutors. And the good news is that these homework apps can work wonders for both students in school and students in college.

• Software & Tools

13 Best Apps That Allow To Take A Picture Of Homework And Get Answers Online

Are you feeling stuck with homework ?

Whether you’re struggling with a particularly difficult math problem or have an essay you don’t know how to complete, there are apps that can help.

Using these apps is as simple as snapping a picture of your homework and uploading it to the app. You can get an answer to that question you were struggling with instantly, along with step-wise explanations on finishing it!

Many of these apps focus on math problems, because it’s often a lot easier to develop an app that can recognize number problems and solve them than create an app that can understand complex questions on economics, physics, or other topics.

However, there are apps that focus on other subjects as well – as AI becomes more powerful, more will likely be developed.

Usually, these apps fall into one of two categories. Some apps use artificial intelligence and machine learning to process the question and provide an immediate answer, while other apps show your picture to human experts who provide the help you require.

Either way, these apps are incredibly helpful, regardless of what grade you are in. Let’s get into it.

1. Socratic by Google

2. microsoft math solver, 4. photomath, 5. cameramath.

• 6. AI ANSWER App Math and Homework (Android/iOS)

7. Answer.AI

8. quizard ai, 9. math scanner – math solutions, 10. gauthmath.

• 11. Mathway (Android/iOS)

12. Maple Calculator

13. symbolab, wrapping it up, best apps that allow to take a picture of homework and get answers online.

Socratic is Google’s own homework and learning assistance app, powered by AI. It works for a wide range of subjects:

• Math (algebra, geometry, calculus, and trigonometry)
• Earth and environmental science
• US and world history

It’s pretty cool. Once you download the app, all you have to do is scan your homework with the app.

Then, use the cropping tool to select the exact question you are having difficulty with. Google will analyze the question and bring results from top websites, including from university and educational websites.

The results include answers, explainers with graphs and illustrations (when applicable), YouTube videos exploring the subject, practice questions, and more!

When it comes to math, things get really cool. Just scan a math question and Google’s AI will analyze it.

It will determine the type of question it is and give you an explanation. For example, if you are solving a quadratic equation, it will give you a brief overview of the quadratic formula and then show you step-by-step workings on how to apply the quadratic formula to solve the equation.

The workings are color-coded to help you keep track of what is going on and broken down into steps, with working displayed for each step.

Sometimes, there will be multiple ways to solve an equation. For example, in the case of quadratic equations, Google will show you how to apply the quadratic formula and how to factor it.

In addition to solving the specific question you inputted, it will also provide you with resources – videos, articles, and other explainers to help you learn more about quadratic equations or any other question.

Socratic by Google is available for both iOS and Android .

Microsoft also has a helpful tool, called Microsoft Math Solver. While it doesn’t focus on any subjects other than math, it will be extremely helpful if you need help with math problems .

It doesn’t matter which area of math you are studying – it could be calculus, algebra, statistics, or any other topic. It uses an advanced AI tool that can recognize any question type and provide steps on solving it..

You can either type the question in manually or scan it with your camera, and the app will do the rest. Another really cool feature is the ability to draw the problems on the screen using your finger.

In addition to explanations, you will get graphs (when applicable) that help you understand the problem graphically.

The built-in graphing calculator is very helpful as well. Graphing calculators can be pretty expensive, so why not use a free one on your phone?

In addition to all that, the app can show you additional results from the web. From video lectures by expert mathematicians to articles exploring similar problems, you can deepen your understanding of any math topic.

Besides, the app works in multiple languages, including Hindi, German, Spanish, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and many others.

It’s not just for elementary-level math. It supports algebra, basic calculus, statistics, and more. You can even use it to solve word problems.

You can download Microsoft Math Solver on iOS and Android .

Also Read : How To See Chegg Answers For Free ?

Brainly is a fantastic homework helper app that connects you with human helpers.

What makes Brainly unique is its large community of students, teachers, tutors, and professors who are readily available to answer your questions.

When you ask a question, other students or teachers will answer it. You can post a question not just on math but on many other subjects – AP exams, computers, engineering, world languages, chemistry, physics, social studies, and many more!

It is free to post a question, and you’ll usually get an answer quickly. You will get up to two answers with explanations from verified experts and star students.

There are also hundreds of questions already answered. Simply search the database on any topic – there’s a good chance the question has already been answered.

You don’t have to do any typing. Just scan your question – on any subject – with the app’s built-in camera.

It will then extract the text from the question and scan the database for similar questions and answers. If none of the Q&As from the database satisfy you, you can post the question to the question board, and someone from the community will answer it before you know it.

Another amazing feature is the ability to ask a question using your microphone. The app will use voice recognition to search for an answer.

Brainly Tutor is a premium service that allows you to get answers and one-on-one help from verified tutors in math, biology, chemistry, or physics. When you ask a question, you will get detailed explanations.

You will then be able to ask followup questions – ask as many questions as you like! With Brainly Tutor, there is no limit to how many questions you can ask.

Note that you can still ask questions with the free version. However, you will have to wait until someone volunteers to answer, while Brainly Tutor subscribers get priority support.

Brainly also has a free service called Textbook Detective . Type in the textbook title or ISBN and you can get solutions to textbook problems on any level.

Right now, the only textbooks in the Textbook Detective database are only math textbooks, but they range from elementary-level math to college math.

The main reason I like Brainly so much is that you can get help from real people, both from instructors and from students who are doing the same course as you or who already completed it and got good marks, unlike other apps that rely entirely on AI.

The app is available on Android and iOS .

Explore : Ways To Unblur Chegg Answers Without Homeworkify

Photomath is another popular math solving app. It supports elementary math, calculus, trig, stats, algebra, word problems, and more.

To solve a homework question quickly, simply scan it with your phone camera. You can also manually input it.

Photomath was created by Damir Sabol, a dad who was struggling to help his kids with their math homework. He wanted to create an app that would help other parents in his position, and thus Photomath was born.

The app has been featured in major publications such as Forbes and USA Today.

When you scan a math problem, Photomath will analyze it and solve it, breaking down the solution into multiple steps that are easy to follow. When applicable, it will provide multiple ways to solve the equation – for quadratic equations, for example, it might show you how to factor, use the quadratic formula, use the PQ formula, and complete the square.

While Photomath is free to use, there is a premium version called Photomath Plus if you want to get even more detailed breakdowns of math problems and how to solve them.

Photomath Plus will provide you with in-depth explanations of mathematical terms used in the step-by-step solutions, with additional examples that will help you understand the context.

Animated tutorials that combine visual and auditory learning is another useful feature of Photomath Plus. Plus users also get ready-made instructions for hundreds of math textbooks.

You can download the app on iOS and Android .

CameraMath is a great app that will solve math questions you scan instantly, breaking them down into step-by-step solutions and providing graphs when applicable. I liked how you can click on “More Steps” to break a step down into additional steps.

While CameraMath is free, there is a premium version as well. The premium version gives you full access to the app and 24/7 access to live human tutors to answer your questions when the provided automatic explanations aren’t sufficient for you to understand the subject.

Download it on iOS or Android .

6. AI ANSWER App Math and Homework ( Android / iOS )

AI ANSWER is a great app that I’ve used myself, with satisfactory results. It can be a bit slow sometimes, especially with math questions, but the results are good.

You can scan any question on any topic. Crop the specific question you want an answer for, and the AI will generate an answer.

For math questions, you will get an AI-generated answer as well, which will break down the question into several steps.

The app is free to use, but it does push the premium version (which removes ads and allows unlimited questions) a lot, which I found a bit annoying. It asks you to sign up for a free trial every time you open the app, and you have to click the back button to continue.

Other than that, though, it’s a decent app.

Answer.AI is another powerful homework helper app powered by artificial intelligence. It works for numerous subjects, including math, history, English, biology, computers, SAT, and many others.

I like that it has different scan modes for general questions, math questions, and translation tasks.

I also loved how the answer is generated in a ChatGPT style format. You can maintain a dialogue with the chatbot answering your questions.

For example, you can ask the bot to explain the question a bit further or ask followup questions. That is impossible with a lot of other apps.

This is a great example of how AI chatbots can be used for education.

You can even tell the chatbot to write an essay about any topic, and it will do so.

When you scan a math question, the AI will explain what the question is and provide an explanation of the steps you need to solve it. For math questions, though, I prefer one of the tools focused entirely on math, as AI chatbots can sometimes be a bit repetitive, which can make understanding the solutions a bit more difficult.

One thing I didn’t like about Answer.AI is that you need to use points to ask questions. You can get free points by signing up, inviting friends, watching ads, and checking in every day. However, those free points will only get you so far.

For unlimited questions, you will have to upgrade to the premium version.

You can download the app on Android and iOS .

Quizard AI is an AI-powered Android app that you can use to answer homework questions . It is powered by ChatGPT 3.5.

According to Quizard, it is best for fact-based questions and not for math questions , as it is not that good at math.

I like how upfront Quizard is about the limitations of ChatGPT and AI in general. For example, ChatGPT is limited to a database that goes up to 2021 but not further and may occasionally provide incorrect information, as it is not capable of differentiating between what is true and what is false.

You can scan open-ended questions or even multiple choice questions and get answers immediately.

Simply scan a question, and you will get an answer powered by ChatGPT.

Quizard is free to use, but there is a Pro version as well. The Pro version will give you related resources every time you ask a question – you don’t get that with the free version.

Subscribing to Pro will also remove ads and speed up the response time.

Math Scanner is an app that you can use to scan math problems and get solutions. The app will display step-by-step solutions to the question, although I didn’t find it as useful as some of the other apps – it didn’t go into as much depth as I liked.

Alongside the answer, you can see related results from Google and YouTube, but they aren’t always relevant.

There is also a built-in math solver. It’s like a calculator, but better.

Start by selecting the type of math you need help with – finite math, linear algebra, statistics, etc. Then, use the provided calculator to input the question.

You will get an answer, and you can click on “Show Step” to display the steps required to solve it.

In the Learn Math section, you will find plenty of helpful resources and flashcards to help you expand your math knowledge.

Another good advantage of Math Scanner is that it has a community forum, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other students and mathematicians. Simply go to the Community tab and sign in to ask a question; you can also browse previously answered questions.

Gauthmath is an AI calculator and tutor that can help you solve complex math problems in just a few seconds. Snap a picture of the question and the app will provide you with a solution, along with step-by-step instructions for solving it.

I found Gauthmath pretty unique. Like other AI math solvers, it will give you an AI-powered solution, complete with steps.

However, it also has a feature in which it will match you with a similar question that was already solved by a student. The question might be exactly the same or slightly different.

For example, when I searched for the solution for 2x^2 = x – 4 = 0, this is the matching equation I got: 2x^2 = x – 1 > 0. Pretty similar, right?

When I searched for another question, I actually got the same exact question. Both times, I was provided with pictures of handwritten results, including the steps the student took to solve the equation.

Gauthmath also has a one-on-one tutoring service, with pricing starting at just $0.50 per question.

Gauth Plus is the app’s premium service. It gives you access to unlimited solutions and a professional tutoring team ready to provide tutoring services, complete with audio and whiteboards.

11. Mathway ( Android / iOS )

Mathway is an app that was created by Chegg. Chegg is a well-known study resource, Q&A, and tutoring site.

Its Mathway app provides AI-powered solutions to your math problems . Every step is broken down for you, and depending on the question, you can choose from multiple methods of solving the question.

I found that Mathway has more options for solving than other math apps. For example, when I snapped a picture of a quadratic equation I wanted it to solve, these were some of the solving methods I was asked to choose from:

• Solve using the quadratic formula
• Solve for x
• Solve by factoring
• Find the roots (zeros)
• Find all complex solutions
• Find the discriminant
• Solve by completing the square
• Find the sum and product of the roots of the quadratic equation

Sometimes, the various methods can be repetitive. At other times, they allow you to further understand different angles to a problem.

While Mathway is free to use, it will only provide the answer for free – if you want to see the step-by-step solutions, you will need to upgrade. That is why I still prefer other math apps, as most of them will provide the various steps for free.

Maple is a powerful calculator and math solver. It was created by Maplesoft, and the app will provide you with guided solutions to problems, along with 2D and 3D graphs.

The graphing calculator is a nice addition – it is available offline as well, although most of the app’s features require an internet connection to work.

If you have Maple Learn, you can also send pictures of your handwritten notes to Maple Learn if your answer was wrong but you don’t understand which steps you got incorrect. Maple Learn is a unique kind of open learning canvas that incorporates all steps of your learning into one canvas.

You can drag and drop everything you’re working on to rearrange the canvas and browse the gallery of existing study documents. Maple Learn also makes it easy to share your work and notes with others.

However, you don’t need Maple Learn to use the Maple Calculator. Both are powered by the Maple Math engine.

You can download the app on Android or iOS .

Symbolab is the last app we’ll be looking at. It’s a powerful app with hundreds of built-in math calculators – you can solve vectors, matrices, derivatives, and any other math problem .

Just scan a problem with the built-in camera, and you will get instant solutions, along with the steps needed to reach that solution.

Symbolab was created by an Israeli startup called EqsQuest. In 2020, it was purchased by Course Hero.

You can download it on Android and Maple Calculator .

All of these apps are incredible. However, I’d advise a word of caution for the AI-driven and ChatGPT-powered apps – AI isn’t always reliable.

It can’t determine what is true and what is not; it simply regurgitates information from the internet. Therefore, if possible, use an app that provides sources or references when searching for the answer to a question.

If you liked this article, please share it with a friend.

Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.

Watch CBS News

8 Top Websites that Students Use to Cheat

By Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Updated on: May 6, 2011 / 6:37 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

In an attempt to answer that question, Turnitin , a company dedicated to uncovering plagiarism , looked at more than 40 million student papers. The firm concluded that the most popular website for plagiarism is the trusted source that millions of us Americans turn to to learn stuff: Wikipedia .

Interestingly enough, Turnitin said that the websites that are designed to assist cheaters by, for instance, selling papers represent only 15% of the potentially plagiarized content that the company detected.

In contrast, one third of the suspicious content that Turnitin uncovered was traced to social networks such as Facebook and question-and-answer sites where users contribute and share content.

Do Students Know They Are Cheating?

8 top sites for plagiarism.

• Wikipedia Encylopedia
• Yahoo! Answers Social & content sharing site
• Answers.com Social & content sharing site
• Slideshare Social and content sharing site
• OPPapers.com Cheat site & paper mill
• Scribd Social & content sharing site
• Course Hero Homework & academic site
• MedLibrary.org Homework & academic site

View all articles by Lynn O'Shaughnessy on CBS MoneyWatch» Lynn O'Shaughnessy is a best-selling author, consultant and speaker on issues that parents with college-bound teenagers face. She explains how families can make college more affordable through her website TheCollegeSolution.com ; her financial workbook, Shrinking the Cost of College ; and the new second edition of her Amazon best-selling book, The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price .

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How to Cheat on Homework

Last Updated: January 4, 2024

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 65 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 138,839 times. Learn more...

Sometimes it's just easier to not do the work. According to a recent study, 42% of freshmen at Harvard admitted to cheating on homework assignments, putting you in good company if you often feel like you've got better things to do than another worksheet. [1] X Research source Instead of going about it foolishly and copying off your friend right before class starts, get smart about your cheating. You can learn the best ways to finish off your math homework, your reading, and even cut some serious corners on your essays.

Cheating on Math or Short-Answer Homework

• First, you've got to make friends with the smartest kids in class, who always do the work correctly. It helps if you can share in the workload sometimes, alternating who does the homework and who copies, night to night. Don't be totally useless.
• The best times to copy homework are on the bus on the way home, or on the way to school. It's usually better to do it on the way home, so you can still try to actually do the homework if you need to. Never copy homework in class before class starts. Never talk about copying the answers in public, to your parents, or to other students. Keep it quiet.
• If you use this method, paraphrase. It does cause a little suspicion when two students have the exact same answer.

• To make the homework go faster, split up all the answers among the group. Have one person do the first five, another do the next five, and so on. You should be able to finish before the bus ride is over. Try to keep the group as small as possible.
• Don't make the group too big. If everyone names the first president of the United States as "George Washington Carver" on the homework, your teacher might be suspicious that something strange was happening. After you copy it, go back over it once by yourself to fix any obvious mistakes and make little changes to make it your own.

• Even just fixing the order of words in short answers can throw a teacher off the scent, if the answer is correct. Change "John Glenn was the first American in space" to "The first American in space was John Glenn."
• To stay extra covert, try to copy off of someone that your teacher doesn't think you're friends with. The teacher may be more likely to look more closely at the homework for signs of cheating if you're neighbors with someone, or if you're sitting next to someone.

• If you find your answers off the internet, make sure to paraphrase it so your teachers don't find out. Teachers are smart these days, so if you copy it directly, they could definitely find out.

• Online tutoring even exists in some places. Some college students will sometimes answer homework questions or offer assistance online, sometimes for a price. [2] X Research source If you can send copies of the questions, you might at least get some help figuring out the answer for yourself.

Reading Fast

• Skip everything but the vocab words in a textbook. The skipping-around method tends to work better with textbooks, in which the actual explanations aren't that important, but the names and the vocab words are. You can read the textbook very fast this way, and not miss much information.
• Alternatively, depending on the kind of class, it might be better to read the first and last chapter of a novel, or focus all your attention on a single small part of the book and bring it up in class, to look as if you've read the whole thing and are prepared for discussion.

• It's also easy to find a long plot synopsis online, so you can at least get a good list of the characters and the style of the novel.

• Ask your friends to summarize their 50 assigned pages (or however many it works out to be) and take good notes on the section, then copy out the notes for everyone in the group. After that, each person's work will be done. It's like reading a whole book by only reading 1/3 or a 1/2.

• It's still a good idea to do some research and figure out whether or not the movie is accurate. Lots of movies take serious liberties with the plot lines of books, and you'll likely miss the names of characters and other minor plot points that might get cut out of the movie but be important for the book.
• Good movies based on books commonly assigned for school include: Grapes of Wrath , Romeo & Juliet , Lord of the Flies,' Pride & Prejudice , Wuthering Heights , Of Mice and Men , and To Kill a Mockingbird .
• Bad movies to watch instead of reading the book include The Iliad ('don't watch 'Troy , starring Brad Pitt), Fahrenheit 451 , Catcher in the Rye , Beowulf , Romeo & Juliet , and The Great Gatsby . These are good ways to prove you haven't read the book.

• It's also a good idea to look for possible talking-points online before you even do the reading, so you can know what to look for and have a good idea of something to say in class. Participation points with no actual work.

Cheating on Essays

• Many older teachers will assign the same papers year after year, and won't keep copies of them, making it very difficult for them to remember one students paper after a year or two. Never do this if your teacher collects essays online, or saves digital copies. This makes it very easy to do a quick file search and find copied passages.
• Buying essays online is basically a scam for chumps, so don't get schemed out of your hard-earned lunch money by some enterprising con artist. If you don't know the person you're getting the essay from, write it yourself. In general, paying to cheat is a bad idea, friend, sibling, or otherwise.

• Make sure the response to the topic is still up-to-date and not incriminating. If you see opportunities to expand and make more current references, do it to bring everything together.
• Never copy-paste from online and turn it in without revising. If you do, go over the font and the size to make sure everything is uniform.
• Copying passages or whole chunks of text from online is always easy to find quickly. If you try this, you risk lots of trouble.

• Read the assignment sheet closely as you go over the copied essay, making sure that it does everything that it needs to for you to get a good grade. If it doesn't, you need to add that in. Hey, at least you didn't have to start from scratch.

Did You Know? In countries such as Bangladesh and Singapore, this is criminalized and carries severe penalties.

Expert Q&A

• Copy down friend's work the day its assigned because most people do it in class. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If your homework questions are straight from a textbook, the internet will most likely have answers for them. If you are lucky, you can find a PDF of the teacher’s textbook, which has all the answers. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• If your homework questions come straight from a textbook, you can often find the answers online or in a PDF version of the teacher's book. But just copying the textbook's answers word-for-word is dishonest. Use any answers you find as a guide, but explain things in your own words.
• If an assignment's got you stumped, get help ASAP instead of waiting until the last minute. Talk to your teacher, go to tutoring, or study with friends who get the material. Being proactive will leave you truly prepared, not desperately seeking shortcuts.
• With group projects, make sure everyone pulls their weight. Don't let some kids copy your work while they slack off. Set ground rules for dividing up the work and keeping each other accountable.
• If you get busted copying someone's work, don't make excuses or blame others. Own up to your mistake, take the consequences, and learn from it. Your character matters more than one assignment.
• Prioritize homework by due dates and percentage of each one's worth. It is better to fully complete a big project than rush through busy work just to check it off. Use your time wisely.
• Break up long readings into 30-45 minute chunks. Take short breaks between sessions to stay focused and absorb more than just cramming it all in one mega study blast.

• Be discreet. Don't suddenly start getting top marks, ensure you make a slow and steady transition or everyone will know you are cheating. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
• Some teachers understand that there isn't much they can do to prevent students from copying solutions either from friends or off the internet. Instead, well-written exams will enforce the no copying solutions policy better than the teacher can. Homework will be worth only a small portion of the grade while exams will be the main grade determiner. If you have been copying homework solutions, you may be in trouble when it comes to the exams. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
• Just because you aren't caught directly cheating doesn't mean that people don't know that you're cheating. News about who cheats gets around the school fast. Don't be surprised if people seem to not want to trust you anymore. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2

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Socratic by Google 12+

Get unstuck. learn better‪.‬.

• #24 in Education
• 4.9 • 499.8K Ratings

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Description.

Need to get unstuck? Socratic can help! This learning app, powered by Google AI, helps you understand your school work at a high school and university level. Ask Socratic a question and the app will find the best online resources for you to learn the concepts. Socratic supports most high school subjects, with more coming soon! *** KEY FEATURES *** - HELPFUL RESULTS Use your voice or camera to connect to online resources and understand any problem. - EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE PLACE Find videos, step-by-step explanations, and more to learn subjects at your own pace. - EXPERT-CREATED STUDY GUIDES Socratic partnered with teachers and experts to bring you visual explanations in each subject, so you can learn the concepts behind any problem. - WORKS FOR ALL YOUR SUBJECTS Currently includes Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, US and World History, and Literature.

Version 5.9.0

Teensy tiny updates to make the app all-around better. Ta-da!

Ratings and Reviews

499.8K Ratings

Editors’ Notes

No matter how much we use it, this app still feels like magic. Getting the answer to “Who built the Sphinx?” or “How does photosynthesis work?” is as easy as snapping a photo of the question, then watching Socratic’s mighty AI dig up helpful explanations and videos from a bunch of online sources. It’s quick, free, and awesome.

Freaking. Life. Saver.

Perfect for adaptive quizzing!! Saving yourself time looking up answers to some random question from the caption of a picture in a random textbook isn’t cheating. :) Busy work, no more! Used it for the first time tonight - half asleep and I remembered I had an assignment due in a couple hours. The assignment was an adaptive quiz where you had to answer questions until you “leveled up”. I didn’t have to spend hours answering the same kinds of questions over and over and wasting time looking up answers in the book so it didn’t hurt my percentage. I scan the question, and while it is searching (only a few seconds), I would answer the question on my own. Submit if I guessed it right, and change it if I guessed wrong. Saves so much time because once you answer, the rationale is right there. Can’t believe I’m only not discovering this app... but I’m beyond thankful nonetheless. *EDIT: Obviously use the app wisely. Don’t substitute it for knowledge, and always verify your answers. The answers are pulled from Quizlet and like sources, that are made by students just like us. But if I know some tiny tidbit isn’t going to be on my professor’s exam, it can be a little hard to justify reading six paragraphs on the topic to try to find my answer. And here comes in - Socratic!

a literal lifesaver

I never leave actual reviews on anything, so let this be a testimony within itself hahahah. As a highschool Junior, I can attest that this is the best app ever. Thank you Google for making this free, it’s ridiculous that some apps charge students for a genuine learning experience. angle I was super skeptical of this app at first, when my friend recommended it. So skeptical that I downloaded it, but didn’t even open it until a year later. Now that I’ve been using it , I can’t believe survived 2 full highschool years without using it. I needed this app for Algebra 2 because I was not learning efficiently with my given course material, and failed in my sophomore year. I knew I needed to pass this year, but it was still a struggle to do without cheating. This app doesn’t just give me answers, it explains how to get them step by step not only so I can understand but so I can have proof if my teacher ask lol. I am passing all of my assignments so far, so the future is looking bring for me. As an online student, this is the best tool out there for anyone who cares about their learning. Algebra doesn’t scare me anymore thanks to Socratic, honestly. Try it, you won’t regret it.

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How to Cheat on Math Homework and the Best Websites to Use

cheating on math homework

Are you low in math? Searching for a way to cheat on math homework? Thanks to today’s technology, there’s no need for tedious formulas, complicated calculations, and messy worksheets.

We’ve collected the most effective methods that allow you to cheat on math homework without difficulties.

How Students Cheat on Math Homework

The following are some of the students’ most common methods to cheat on math homework.

• Hiding answers in other workbooks/notes:  Another way that students will try to cheat is by hiding answers somewhere else and pretending not to know where they are. 

For example, if one student helps with their homework, maybe the second student will put his answer in the other student’s notebook or their own notebook when he gets home from school.

This is effective because it looks like no one noticed anything different when there was an answer in the wrong place!

• Copying from other students:  If you notice that your classmate or classmate’s friend has copied your homework, there are ways to catch them in the act. One way is by checking their work against a calculator or scratch paper to ensure they’re doing their work. 

Another way is to watch them do certain problems until you notice how they’ve solved them. If they use the wrong method, this could help you figure out who did it and when so you can confront them about it.

• Using calculators:  Students who use calculators or computers can often get away with using them during tests because they can hide them under their desks or pass them back and forth between themselves easily without anyone noticing.
• Getting help from other students:  Although it might seem like cheating, getting help from other students is not against any school rules. Many schools allow students to help each other during tests so long as they don’t give away any information about themselves or their work – including their answers!

 Why Students Cheat on Math Homework

The reasons students cheat on math homework are as varied as the number of students who do so.

Sometimes, they never complete their homework assignments because they find them too difficult. Here are the main ways that students cheat on math homework:

1. Failing to do the Work Regularly and Consistently

Math is a subject that requires diligence and dedication from beginning to end. If you want your students to succeed in this area , you need to set up a system where they can track their progress over time. 

The best way to do this is by assigning schedules for completing assignments and ensuring these schedules follow through regularly.

If a student misses a day or two here or there without explanation, it will be much harder for them later on when they face more complex problems requiring more time spent working on them.

2. They are Poor in Math

If you don’t understand the concepts and are not able to do the problems, then you might just copy someone else’s answer. Or maybe they are just bored and have nothing else to do.

If they are having trouble understanding the concept, they might need some time to understand it properly before doing well in the exam.

They might just be unable to focus on solving problems due to other personal problems at home like family problems, financial problems, etc., making it very difficult for them to concentrate properly during classes.

3. To Get Better Marks 

They want to get good marks, which often leads to their parents expressing concern about their school performance.

If they are enrolled in a private academy, they may also be enrolled in a class that scores better than others to get better results.

How to Prevent Cheating in Mathematics Assignments

There are many ways to prevent cheating in mathematics assignments. We have listed below some of them:

First, you should always ensure that your students know they are not allowed to cheat during their mathematics assignments.

If you think there is any possibility of cheating, then you must talk about it with the students to understand what cheating means and why it is wrong.

Second, you should make sure that the work provided by your students is well-written and clearly explained. You can use a tutor or an online calculator if needed.

Third, you should avoid giving assignments at the last moment before the exam or test. This will help your students to stay focused on their studies and won’t let them give up easily if they have any doubt about something difficult in their work.

Lastly, encourage students to work collaboratively. If you have a large class, you must allow each student to work with others on a problem or assignment. This helps them develop their social skills and learn how to communicate effectively with other people. 

Most importantly, it also allows them to learn from mistakes made by others, which helps them avoid repeating those same mistakes in future assignments.

Apps Used to Cheat on Math Homework

Math can be a real pain if you don’t have a good math tutor. We have compiled a list of some of the best apps to cheat on math homework.

Math Tutor 1

Math Tutor 1 is a great app to help with all your math homework problems.

An expert in mathematics who has created it to be easy to use and understand has designed the app. It has over 3500 different problems you can choose from, and each problem has unique solutions.

Math Tutor 2

Math Tutor 2 is another great app for helping students with their math homework problems. This app is also very easy to use, and it contains over 5000 different problems for you to choose from, along with their unique solutions.

The app also comes with an option where you can get instant feedback on your answers before submitting them!

Math Master Pro

It is a favorite apps because not only does it have an easy interface but also because of its user-friendly nature. This app will simplify learning all about algebra by breaking down complex concepts into manageable steps that are easy for even those unfamiliar with calculus or statistics!

With over 10 years in academia and academic assistance, Alicia Smart is the epitome of excellence in the writing industry. She is our chief editor and in charge of the writing department at Grade Bees.

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The 6 Best Homework Apps to Help Students (and Parents)

These apps won't do all the work for them

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Getting homework done can be difficult. While the information might make sense in the classroom , some students don't retain that knowledge. When your child needs extra help, there are apps to help with homework. These solutions help both students and parents succeed.

The apps in this article are free to download, and some may include in-app purchases .

Easy to use with over 30 languages to learn.

ESL courses to strengthen English skills.

The interface can be clunky at times.

It has a limited vocabulary.

This popular language-learning app sits at the top of both the iOS and Android app stores as an excellent solution to strengthen foreign language skills. Whether your child wants to learn outside of their curriculum or wishes to practice what they learned in class, Duolingo is an excellent addition to any digital device.

With over thirty languages to choose, your child can practice German, Italian, Spanish, French, or dozens of other languages. If your student is currently enrolled in ESL courses, they can strengthen their English skills from the bottom-up.

Unlike other language learning solutions that focus on memorizing vocabulary, Duolingo uses a combination of reading, writing, and speaking exercises to create a more natural learning experience.

Download For :

It's great for helping math students who fall behind.

The built-in calculator allows for smart, on-the-fly calculations and 2D graph plotting.

It's somewhat limited depth. Wrong answers don't provide much room for learning why an answer is incorrect.

Mathematics can be one of the most challenging courses for students, with complicated steps that are quickly forgotten after a long school day. Especially challenging is that many parents struggle to help their children with subject matter that they haven't been acquainted with for years. Photomath is an excellent solution for struggling mathematicians.

Children can scan complex or simple math problems, learning how to solve them with step-by-step instructions. A built-in calculator improves the experience, allowing for smart, on-the-fly calculations and 2D graph plotting abilities. Linear equations, logarithms, trigonometry, functions, and basic algebraic expressions are only a few of Photomath's vast capabilities.

Great music learning app with tools for learning and practicing guitar, bass, piano, and more.

Voice-overs and instructional design lack the human touch that helps when learning an instrument.

One school subject that is sadly overlooked is music. Music is an area of study that has been proven to increase a child's language and reasoning skills, fine-tune their motor skills, and decrease stress levels. So, if your child is trying to learn a musical instrument and struggling, consider investing in Yousician. This app allows students to practice guitar, bass, piano, or ukulele.

Students can practice their instruments along with the charts and diagrams that display on the screen. They'll receive real-time feedback when they miss a note or fall out of tune. Included step-by-step video tutorials are available to show your child how to be proficient in a specific skill set. Practicing an instrument has never seemed so natural. With different genres of music available, your child can quickly sort out their favorites.

Khan Academy

A range of subjects, from kindergarten mathematics to advanced placement physics.

More than 150,000 interactive exercises.

There's not much room for creativity, collaboration, or alternative teaching styles.

Ready to increase your knowledge in math, science, computing, history, economics, and more? Whether as an educational tool for your child, or an extra app for a parent to enjoy in their free time, everyone can use Khan Academy to unlock a world of education. Children can practice anything from kindergarten mathematics to advanced placement physics. Quickly access a collection of portable courses on-the-go or on your computer.

The Khan Academy app offers over 150,000 interactive exercises to strengthen old or new skills. Additionally, you can download content for offline study so that you have access to it no matter where you are. Parents wishing to learn something new can jump into advanced high school courses or enjoy courses on entrepreneurship and career-building. Khan Academy offers solutions for all ages and skill ranges.

Quizlet Flashcards

A digital flashcard mobile platform that's suitable for all ages.

The focus on memorization is ideal for studying.

The ad-supported platform may be distracting.

User-generated content means some content may be inaccurate.

Do you remember studying for exams and creating piles of flashcards to memorize facts and details? While flashcards can be an excellent method for analyzing new material, they use a large amount of paper that is eventually thrown in the trash. Learn new topics while also saving trees with the Quizlet Flashcards application. Study from existing flashcard sets or create your own.

Quizlet digital flashcards allow students of all ages to practice and excel at various topics using their smartphones. In addition to basic flashcards, Quizlet offers multiple modes to encourage different methods of memorization. If your child attends the same class as another student using Quizlet, the two can share flashcards. Those who use the app to study foreign languages can hear keywords spoken to them in over 18 languages.

PowerSchool

Allows parents and guardians to keep tabs on their child's education.

Access classroom handouts, attendance records, school bulletins, and more.

The complicated interface makes for a rather steep learning curve.

Here's an app that both children and parents can enjoy: PowerSchool Mobile. Many school districts use the PowerSchool system to manage grades and reports. If your child's school is a participant, you can use the mobile app to keep a close eye on your child's educational progress. Depending on how a teacher chooses to use the tool in their classroom, you may also have access to handouts, attendance records, school bulletins, and more.

While not every school offers support for the PowerSchool Mobile application, it is worth checking with your child's teacher to see if the option is available. Sorry kids, but it isn't possible to hide report cards with the PowerSchool app. Parents can manage what push and email notifications they receive from the child's school. You'll become more involved and aware of your child's school performance with this simple mobile app.

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Is it cheating for students to use homework apps?

By Amy Iverson

Apps now exist in our digital world that can take nearly any homework question or problem and solve it instantly, leaving parents and students with the decision whether or not to use these apps. Some call it cheating; others call it learning.

Parents, think back to when you were in high school doing homework. I recall having complicated calculus assignments that my mom wouldn’t even attempt and that stumped my father, who was an engineer. He would spend the evening reading through my book to remember how to do the equations and then try to teach me.

Even now with my teenagers, I have to study before I can help them with their math homework. And I’ll admit that most often, I send them to my husband who has a better mind for such things. I can help them with any literature, English, or language, but math was never my forte. So, I started getting help for teaching my kids from an app I featured on my radio show years ago.

The photomath app is a simple and genius concept. You point your phone’s camera at any math problem and the app gives you detailed instructions on how to solve it. And it’s free. So if students use this to do their homework, is that considered cheating?

It definitely could be. But it could also be a wonderful teaching tool, especially for students who are good independent learners. Apps like this could also be amazing for a student who doesn’t mesh well with a certain educator’s teaching style. Students can visualize how to solve the problems on their own timeline and terms.

Students have a teacher to answer questions while at school, but what are they supposed to do when they are at home? Sure, a parent may be able to help, but there's also the possibility that their parents never finished high school.

Recently, the app Socratic sat atop the list of the App Store’s Free Education apps. It works a lot like photomath, but for many different subjects. Again, you scan any question with your phone and the app gives you the answer.

The question may be from English class, “How is antithesis different from paradox?” Socratic will give you the perfect answer. That example may not be much different than just Googling the question. But the creators of this app took hundreds of thousands of student-submitted questions and had teachers break them down into core concepts.

After months of refining the algorithms, Socratic’s artificial intelligence can predict which ones a student needs to learn to solve the problem. The app’s website has this example of an organic chemistry question, “How is acetophenone phenylhydrazone catalyzed into 2-phenylindole?”

Now, if my child came to me with that homework question, I would likely fall on the floor laughing. But besides artificial intelligence, this app has carefully chosen real life Socratic Heroes like Ernest Z. to answer questions.

He’s a retired professor from Acadia University who taught organic chemistry for two decades. Ernest Z. has been with Socratic for three years and in this case gives a perfectly explained solution to that question with step-by-step instructions.

Cheating? I say learning. Professor Christopher Boyle, a psychologist and teacher based at Exeter University, agrees, saying this app could be an excellent tool .

The app’s co-founder, Shreyans Bhansali, believes kids are asking Google all their homework questions anyway . He says at least Socratic goes a step further by teaching students what they need to know to answer the questions.

A final example of homework helper apps is Brainly . This website and app uses crowdsourcing to answer homework questions. It’s like a gigantic worldwide study group. Brainly believes students are smarter together and uses the tagline, “No one knows everything, but everyone knows something.”

Students can post questions about assignments and a fellow student will answer within minutes. You can also search millions of previous questions and answers. Moderators make sure all the questions are school related and that answers aren’t copied from other websites.

Like most technology, parents will need to monitor their kids using these apps. Students could definitely just use them to copy down correct answers for their homework. But everyone would know the truth once test time rolled around. If students use these apps to learn concepts and problem-solving — ideally with help from parents — they could be a huge asset in a student’s path to a diploma.

Amy Iverson is a graduate of the University of Utah. She has worked as a broadcast journalist in Dallas, Seattle, Italy, and Salt Lake City. Amy, her husband, and three kids live in Summit County, Utah. Contact Amy on Facebook.com/theamyiverson

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7 Best Apps for Doing Homework

In the twenty-first century, there is a variety of apps that are made for the purpose of making the process of completing one’s homework easier. Some of them provide straight answers, some of them provide the ways of completing the assignments, some are not helpful at all. There is an ongoing debate about whether using an app that solves the math equations from a simple phone picture is cheating or not and the ways to stop the usage of this app. This debate has impacted on teachers who have started to create a more extraordinary homework tasks that cannot be solved automatically; however, that strategy will not help with the apps that provide solutions by tapping into real-life brains.

Let’s look at seven apps that help with the homework and see if they are cheating tools or not:

This is a free homework help app available both for iOS and Android. It is extremely easy to use and quite sufficient for completing the math problem sheet. It is one of the most popular homework apps. PhotoMath outputs a step-by-step solution to a math equation after processing a picture of it – can math get more easier than that? Unarguably, the app will be used for cheating, but how will the teachers adapt to it? The software was welcomed warmly by many but still stays controversial.

The workers of the company claim that the app was not developed as a cheating tool but rather as a learning instrument. There is always a way to cheat, but PhotoMath can be used for help with homework as well.

Thousands of high schoolers and college students all over the world have a heavy cloud of homework assignments weighing over them. iHomework helps students keep everything planned out. When you see everything planned out and divided into parts, it is easier keep up with all the deadlines. You can sort it by date, week, month, or class, the app is an alternative to paper planners that are easy to lose, while iHomework is always in your phone. If you integrate data from Questia, there is a feature that connects your reading material with the assignments so there is no need to keep a dozen of papers in your bag.

The iHomework schedule is helpful for keeping track of irregular classes or labs and even mark their locations on a map so you will not get lost. ICloud synchronization will help you to access all the data from any iOS device you use at the time you need iHomework .

Google Apps for Education

All of the necessary for learning browser-based Google products are now conveniently collected together in one safe homework help online app – Google Apps for Education. Being free and fast, the software is everything we are used to except designed to suit the classroom way of communication. It contains the most popular applications such as Gmail, Hangouts, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Docs with Classroom feature that allows to organize assignments and send feedback and makes the process easier both for a student and a teacher.

Although the application is stored on the cloud server, it can be used offline as well, which works better for concentrating on the homework, leaving all the distractions of the media behind. The app is available for any devices, which is very attractive and makes it really accessible.  

This homework help app is free but does contain some paid features and is available both for iOS and Android. Hw Pic is a service that allows students to send the pictures of their homework to their tutors and receive a step-by-step solution as a response in a couple of minutes. There is a feature that accelerates the answers if there is such need. Firstly, the App Store decided to reject the app because of the ways it can be used for cheating but the app’s Co-Founder Tiklat Issa argued for permission and received it on the grounds that the app should not be blocked if it is used not for its purpose.

He also added that cheating is specifically mentioned and prohibited in the terms and conditions that users have to accept before using the application. Tutors cannot solve tasks with the words ‘quiz’ or ‘exam’ and if the picture is not clear or taken in a hurry under a desk and the student paid for expedited answers. He claims that the company has made everything to minimize cheating; however, it cannot be realistically eliminated.

Wolfram Alpha

This is a paid maths homework help app available for iOS and Android. Wolfram Alpha is aimed to help students with math in a way that PhotoMath does except a few differences. Firstly, it is created to help older students that study higher levels of math. Secondly, it does not process pictures. The service helps students by providing a step-by-step solution to topics like differential equations or calculus, which is really helpful for those who study math in college.

The Wolfram Research’s Director of Strategic Development rejects the claim that this app helps to cheat by saying that students cheat if they not use computer-based math. Doing such math helps to cover many principles and more conceptual ground.

Homework Helper

This app is free and available for download both for iOS and Android. This Chinese app, created by an Internet search company Baidu, helps students to do their homework by crowdsourcing the help or answers to their questions. Everyone can make a post with text or a picture of homework online and people who actually answer the questions can win featured coins that possibly can be used for purchase of electronics like iPhones and computers.

The free homework help app has become very popular, to great displeasure of those not-approving of it. Many parents argue that because of the help that the app provides students do not use their mind power fully. They can access the answer easily; therefore, no need to think hard. One of the company’s workers admitted that the app does help to cheat.

The app is free; however, it contains some paid features, and is available for download on iOS. This free online homework help app makes crowdsourcing easier for high school and college students. The questions posted there are in math and science. While there is a feature for posting original questions, students can also access the answers to popular textbook tasks that have already been solved. There has already been an incident with the homework help online free app when a student used it to cheat on the math homework in Illinois.

The company claims that the app takes non-traditional approach to math and educations and the ideas were not made to damage the learning process. It also says that the app should be considered as a provider of real-time help for students.  

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Why Students Cheat on Homework and How to Prevent It

One of the most frustrating aspects of teaching in today’s world is the cheating epidemic. There’s nothing more irritating than getting halfway through grading a large stack of papers only to realize some students cheated on the assignment. There’s really not much point in teachers grading work that has a high likelihood of having been copied or otherwise unethically completed. So. What is a teacher to do? We need to be able to assess students. Why do students cheat on homework, and how can we address it?

Like most new teachers, I learned the hard way over the course of many years of teaching that it is possible to reduce cheating on homework, if not completely prevent it. Here are six suggestions to keep your students honest and to keep yourself sane.

ASSIGN LESS HOMEWORK

One of the reasons students cheat on homework is because they are overwhelmed. I remember vividly what it felt like to be a high school student in honors classes with multiple extracurricular activities on my plate. Other teens have after school jobs to help support their families, and some don’t have a home environment that is conducive to studying.

While cheating is  never excusable under any circumstances, it does help to walk a mile in our students’ shoes. If they are consistently making the decision to cheat, it might be time to reduce the amount of homework we are assigning.

I used to give homework every night – especially to my advanced students. I wanted to push them. Instead, I stressed them out. They wanted so badly to be in the Top 10 at graduation that they would do whatever they needed to do in order to complete their assignments on time – even if that meant cheating.

When assigning homework, consider the at-home support, maturity, and outside-of-school commitments involved. Think about the kind of school and home balance you would want for your own children. Go with that.

PROVIDE CLASS TIME

Allowing students time in class to get started on their assignments seems to curb cheating to some extent. When students have class time, they are able to knock out part of the assignment, which leaves less to fret over later. Additionally, it gives them an opportunity to ask questions.

When students are confused while completing assignments at home, they often seek “help” from a friend instead of going in early the next morning to request guidance from the teacher. Often, completing a portion of a homework assignment in class gives students the confidence that they can do it successfully on their own. Plus, it provides the social aspect of learning that many students crave. Instead of fighting cheating outside of class , we can allow students to work in pairs or small groups  in class to learn from each other.

Plus, to prevent students from wanting to cheat on homework, we can extend the time we allow them to complete it. Maybe students would work better if they have multiple nights to choose among options on a choice board. Home schedules can be busy, so building in some flexibility to the timeline can help reduce pressure to finish work in a hurry.

GIVE MEANINGFUL WORK

If you find students cheat on homework, they probably lack the vision for how the work is beneficial. It’s important to consider the meaningfulness and valuable of the assignment from students’ perspectives. They need to see how it is relevant to them.

In my class, I’ve learned to assign work that cannot be copied. I’ve never had luck assigning worksheets as homework because even though worksheets have value, it’s generally not obvious to teenagers. It’s nearly impossible to catch cheating on worksheets that have “right or wrong” answers. That’s not to say I don’t use worksheets. I do! But. I use them as in-class station, competition, and practice activities, not homework.

So what are examples of more effective and meaningful types of homework to assign?

• Ask students to complete a reading assignment and respond in writing .
• Have students watch a video clip and answer an oral entrance question.
• Require that students contribute to an online discussion post.
• Assign them a reflection on the day’s lesson in the form of a short project, like a one-pager or a mind map.

As you can see, these options require unique, valuable responses, thereby reducing the opportunity for students to cheat on them. The more open-ended an assignment is, the more invested students need to be to complete it well.

DIFFERENTIATE

Part of giving meaningful work involves accounting for readiness levels. Whenever we can tier assignments or build in choice, the better. A huge cause of cheating is when work is either too easy (and students are bored) or too hard (and they are frustrated). Getting to know our students as learners can help us to provide meaningful differentiation options. Plus, we can ask them!

This is what you need to be able to demonstrate the ability to do. How would you like to show me you can do it?

REDUCE THE POINT VALUE

If you’re sincerely concerned about students cheating on assignments, consider reducing the point value. Reflect on your grading system.

Are homework grades carrying so much weight that students feel the need to cheat in order to maintain an A? In a standards-based system, will the assignment be a key determining factor in whether or not students are proficient with a skill?

Each teacher has to do what works for him or her. In my classroom, homework is worth the least amount out of any category. If I assign something for which I plan on giving completion credit, the point value is even less than it typically would be. Projects, essays, and formal assessments count for much more.

CREATE AN ETHICAL CULTURE

To some extent, this part is out of educators’ hands. Much of the ethical and moral training a student receives comes from home. Still, we can do our best to create a classroom culture in which we continually talk about integrity, responsibility, honor, and the benefits of working hard. What are some specific ways can we do this?

Building Community and Honestly

• Talk to students about what it means to cheat on homework. Explain to them that there are different kinds. Many students are unaware, for instance, that the “divide and conquer (you do the first half, I’ll do the second half, and then we will trade answers)” is cheating.
• As a class, develop expectations and consequences for students who decide to take short cuts.
• Decorate your room with motivational quotes that relate to honesty and doing the right thing.
• Discuss how making a poor decision doesn’t make you a bad person. It is an opportunity to grow.
• Share with students that you care about them and their futures. The assignments you give them are intended to prepare them for success.
• Offer them many different ways to seek help from you if and when they are confused.
• Provide revision opportunities for homework assignments.
• Explain that you partner with their parents and that guardians will be notified if cheating occurs.
• Explore hypothetical situations.  What if you have a late night? Let’s pretend you don’t get home until after orchestra and Lego practices. You have three hours of homework to do. You know you can call your friend, Bob, who always has his homework done. How do you handle this situation?

EDUCATE ABOUT PLAGIARISM

Many students don’t realize that plagiarism applies to more than just essays. At the beginning of the school year, teachers have an energized group of students, fresh off of summer break. I’ve always found it’s easiest to motivate my students at this time. I capitalize on this opportunity by beginning with a plagiarism mini unit .

While much of the information we discuss is about writing, I always make sure my students know that homework can be plagiarized. Speeches can be plagiarized. Videos can be plagiarized. Anything can be plagiarized, and the repercussions for stealing someone else’s ideas (even in the form of a simple worksheet) are never worth the time saved by doing so.

In an ideal world, no one would cheat. However, teaching and learning in the 21st century is much different than it was fifty years ago. Cheating? It’s increased. Maybe because of the digital age… the differences in morals and values of our culture…  people are busier. Maybe because students don’t see how the school work they are completing relates to their lives.

No matter what the root cause, teachers need to be proactive. We need to know why students feel compelled to cheat on homework and what we can do to help them make learning for beneficial. Personally, I don’t advocate for completely eliminating homework with older students. To me, it has the potential to teach students many lessons both related to school and life. Still, the “right” answer to this issue will be different for each teacher, depending on her community, students, and culture.

STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS IN SECONDARY

You are so right about communicating the purpose of the assignment and giving students time in class to do homework. I also use an article of the week on plagiarism. I give students points for the learning – not the doing. It makes all the difference. I tell my students why they need to learn how to do “—” for high school or college or even in life experiences. Since, they get an A or F for the effort, my students are more motivated to give it a try. No effort and they sit in my class to work with me on the assignment. Showing me the effort to learn it — asking me questions about the assignment, getting help from a peer or me, helping a peer are all ways to get full credit for the homework- even if it’s not complete. I also choose one thing from each assignment for the test which is a motivator for learning the material – not just “doing it.” Also, no one is permitted to earn a D or F on a test. Any student earning an F or D on a test is then required to do a project over the weekend or at lunch or after school with me. All of this reinforces the idea – learning is what is the goal. Giving students options to show their learning is also important. Cheating is greatly reduced when the goal is to learn and not simply earn the grade.

Thanks for sharing your unique approaches, Sandra! Learning is definitely the goal, and getting students to own their learning is key.

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Is Homework Bad? Here Is What Research Says

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: April 30, 2024

Homework is a controversial topic and the object of differing opinions among teachers, parents, and educators . While some highly value it considering it key in scholarly achievement and academic performance, others view it as a nuisance to students’ independence and a cause for unwarranted emotional and physical stress for kids. 

The controversy surrounding homework does not only revolve around its value, but also around questions such as: How much homework is enough homework? How much time should be allotted to homework? How frequent should homework be assigned? Does help from others (e.g., parents or other students) undermine the value of homework? Should homework be banned? Should kids be assigned homework? and many more.

However, as the research cited in this article demonstrates, homework, controversial as it is, has some benefits for students although these benefits differ according to various factors including students age, skill and grade level, students socio-economic status, purpose behind homework, duration of the homework, among other considerations. In this article, I cover some of the key issues related to homework and provide research resources to help teachers and parents learn more about homework.

What Does Homework Mean? 

According to Cooper (1989), homework is defined as “tasks assigned to students by school teachers that are meant to be carried out during non-school hours”. Cooper’s definition is similar to the one found in Cambridge Dictionary which defines homework as “work that teachers give their students to do at home” or as “studying that students do at home to prepare for school”.

There is way more to homework than what these general definitions outline. Homework assignments are not equal and there are various variables that can affect the value and effectiveness of homework.

Some of these variables, according to Blazer (2009) , include difficulty level of assigned tasks, skill and subject areas covered, completion timeframe (short or long term), degree of autonomy and individualization, social context (done independently or with the help of others), obligatory or voluntary, whether it will be submitted for grading or not, among other variables.

Is Homework Bad?

Going through the scholarly literature and regardless of the disagreement and controversies the topic of homework raises, there is a growing consensus that homework has some benefits , especially for students in middle and high school ( National Education Association ).

One of the most comprehensive research studies on homework is a meta-analysis done by professor Harris Cooper and his colleagues (2006) and published in the journal Review of Educational Research .

In this study, Cooper et al analyzed a large pool of research studies on homework conducted in the United States between between 1987 and 2003. Their findings indicate the existence of ‘a positive influence of homework on achievement’.

The influence is mainly noticed in students in grades 7-12 and less in students grades K-6. However, even though kids benefit less from homework, Cooper et al. confirm the importance of some form of homework for students of all ages.

What Is The Purpose of Homework? 

There are several reasons for assigning homework. Some of these reasons according to Blazer include:

– Review and reinforce materials learned in class – Check students understanding and assess their skills and knowledge – Enhance students study skills – Provide students with learning opportunities where they can use their newly acquired skills to explore new insights. – Enable students to hone in their search skills and apply them to find resources on an assigned topic – Help students develop social emotional learning skills – Enable students to develop functional study habits and life skills. These include time management and organization skills, problem solving skills, self-discipline, accountability, self-confidence, communication skills, critical thinking skills, inquisitiveness, among others.

Drawbacks of Homework  

Critics of homework argue that it has less value and can result in negative consequences. In her literature review, Blazer (2009) summarized some of these drawbacks in the following points:

– Homework can cause emotional and physical fatigue – Homework takes away from kids’ leisure time and interferes with their natural development. – Homework can drive students to develop negative attitudes towards school and learning. – Assigned homework prevents students from engaging in self-directed and independent learning. – Homework can interfere with students’ engagement in social activities including sports and community involvement. – Excessive homework can create tension and stress and lead to friction between parents and kids. – Homework may encourage a culture of cheating – Homework “can widen social inequalities. Compared to their higher income peers, students from lower income homes are more likely to work after school and less likely to have an environment conducive to studying”.

How Much Homework Should Students Have? 

According to Fernández-Alonso, Suárez-Álvarez and Muñiz ( 2015 ), spending 60 minutes per day doing homework is considered a reasonably effective time. However, the study also added that the amount of help and effort needed to do homework is key in this equation because “when it comes to homework”, as the authors concluded, “how is more important than how much”. 

This conclusion is congruent with several other studies (e.g., Farrow et al. (1999), that emphasize the idea that when doing homework, quality is more important than quantity. When the variables of time and effort are taken into account, the question of how much homework should students have becomes statistically irrelevant.

Catty Vatterott, author of Rethinking Homework: Best Practices that Support Diverse Needs , also advocates for quality over quantity when assigning homework tasks.She argues that instead of banning homework altogether, we can embrace a more open approach to homework; one that deemphasizes grading and differentiates tasks.

Along similar lines, studies have also confirmed the correlation between autonomy and positive performance. Autonomous students, that is those who can do homework on their own, are more likely to perform better academically (Fernández-Alonso, 2015; Dettmers et al.,2010, 2011; Trautwein & Lüdtke, 2007, (Xu, 2010a). Findings from these studies indicate that “students who need frequent or constant help with homework have worse academic results.” (Fernández-Alonso, 2015)

Besides the 60 minutes per day recommendation for older students, there is also the 10 minutes rule which, according to Harris Cooper , works by multiplying a kid’s grade by 10 to determine how much time they need for homework per day.

According to the 10 minute rule, first graders require 10 minutes per day of homework, second graders 20 minutes, and for each subsequent year you add another 10 minutes so that at the last year of high school, grade 12 students will have 2 hours of daily homework. As Cooper argues, “when you assign more than these levels, the law of diminishing returns or even negative effects – stress especially – begin to appear”.

The debate over homework is far from being settled and probably will never reach definitive conclusions. With that being said, l personally view homework as a heuristic for learning. It scaffolds classroom learning and helps students reinforce learned skills. For elementary students, homework should not be tied to any academic grades or achievement expectation.

In fact, kids’ homework assignments, if any, should align with the overall interests of kids in that it should support and include elements of play, fun, and exploration. Needless to mention that, once outside school, kids are to be given ample time to play, explore, and learn by doing.

As Cooper stated “A good way to think about homework is the way you think about medications or dietary supplements. If you take too little, they’ll have no effect. If you take too much, they can kill you. If you take the right amount, you’ll get better.”

Research on Homework 

The topic of homework has been the subject of several academic research studies. The following is a sample of some of these research studies:

• Blazer, C. (2009). Literature review: Homework. Miami, FL: Miami Dade County Public Schools.
• Cooper, H. (1989). Synthesis of research on homework. Educational Leadership, 47, 85–91.
• Cooper, H., Robinson, J. C., & Patall, E. A. (2006). Does homework improve academic achievement? A synthesis of research, 1987–2003. Review of Educational Research, 76, 1– 62.
• Dettmers, S., Trautwein, U., Lüdtke, M., Kunter, M., & Baumert, J. (2010). Homework works if homework quality is high: Using multilevel modeling to predict the development of achievement in mathematics. Journal of Educational Psychology,
• Dettmers, S., Trautwein, U., & Lüdtke, O. (2009). The relationship between homework time and achievement is not universal: Evidence from multilevel analyses in 40 countries. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 20, 375– 405.
• Epstein, J. L., & van Voorhis, F. L. (2001). More than minutes: Teachers’ roles in designing homework. Educational Psychologist, 36, 181–193
• Farrow, S., Tymms, P., & Henderson, B. (1999). Homework and attainment in primary schools. British Educational Research Journal, 25, 323–341
• Goldstein, A. (1960). Does homework help? A review of research. The Elementary School Journal, 60, 212–224.
• Trautwein, U., & Köller, O. (2003). The relationship between homework and achievement: Still much of a mystery. Educational Psychology Review, 15, 115–145
• Warton, P. M. (2001). The forgotten voices in homework: Views of students. Educational Psychologist, 36, 155–165.
• Xu, J. (2013). Why do students have difficulties completing homework? The need for homework management. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 1, 98 –105.
• Zimmerman, B. J., & Kitsantas, A. (2005). Homework practices and academic achievement: The mediating role of self-efficacy and perceived responsibility beliefs. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 30, 397– 417.
• Kralovec, E., & Buell, J. (2001). End Homework Now. Educational Leadership, 58(7), 39-42.
• Krashen, S. (2005). The Hard Work Hypothesis: Is Doing Your Homework Enough to Overcome the Effects of Poverty? Multicultural Education, 12(4), 16-19.
• Lenard, W. (1997). The Homework Scam. Teacher Magazine, 9(1), 60-61.
• Marzano, R.J., & Pickering, D.J. (2007). The Case For and Against Homework. Educational Leadership, 64(6), 74-79.
• Skinner, D. (2004). The Homework Wars. Public Interest, 154, Winter, 49-60.
• Corno, L. (1996). Homework is a Complicated Thing. Educational Researcher, 25(8), 27-30.
• Forster, K. (2000). Homework: A Bridge Too Far? Issues in Educational Research, 10(1), 21-37.
• Hoover-Dempsey, K.V., Battiato, A.C., Walker, J.M., Reed, R.P., DeLong, J.M., & Jones, K.P. (2001). Parent Involvement in Homework. Educational Psychologist, 36(3), 195-209.

Books on Homework 

Here are some interesting books that profoundly explore the concept of homework:

1. The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing , by Kohn (2006)

• 2. Rethinking Homework: Best Practices that Support Diverse Needs , by Catty Vatterot
• 3. The End of Homework: How Homework Disrupts Families, Overburdens Children, and Limits Learning , by Kralovec, E., & Buell, J. (2000)
• 4. The Case Against Homework: How Homework Is Hurting Children and What Parents Can Do About It , by Sara Bennett and Nancy Kalish

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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