Final exams have just started for Greek teens, and my 13yo has been asking "Why do they make us go through this? Teachers have spent the whole year with us, why do they need to grade us again?"

This neuroscience study came just in time to help me answer. It also helps that we recently read a book on how the brain works, and the brain-muscle analogy always does the trick, so, this is what I'll tell him next time:

"To get stronger, you have to work out, not watch other people lift weights.
Preparing for exams is like a workout for your brain. When you study and try to remember things on your own, your brain builds stronger connections. That helps you understand things. If you always rely on Google or AI to answer questions or write texts for you, your brain doesn’t get the chance to build those connections.
Remember, It takes time and effort for muscles to show, same goes for the brain.
I know you're studying hard for your grades, but you're also doing it for you.
Good luck with your exams, Petro!"

Thanks to Dagmar Monett for posting about the study.