If you’ve ever asked ChatGPT to explain something and felt like the answer was too vague, too fast or just not sinking in, you're going to want to try this viral prompt.
As a power user, I have tested a thousands of prompts and definitely have my favorites. But now, I have a new one.
I used to get overwhelmed trying to learn new topics, but since discovering this now-viral Reddit prompt, all of that has changed. Unlike other prompts that may be designed for productivity or brainstorming, this particular prompt is designed to turn ChatGPT into a customized, interactive tutor.
The prompt, originally shared on r/ChatGPT, gives the AI a structured role: to ask questions before answering, tailor explanations to your level and then offer multiple paths of exploration.
In other words, instead of dumping information at you, it’s more interactive so it builds a learning plan tailored to you. After testing it across topics from neuroscience to personal finance, I can confidently say: it works.
The prompt and how to try it
You Can Learn Everything With This Prompt. BEST LEARNING PROMPT! from r/ChatGPTPromptGenius
The Reddit prompt is dense and might be confusing because it looks a little different than most prompts. But, you're going to want to copy the entire prompt into ChatGPT and hit send. From there, the AI will prompt you with follow up questions.
Too bulky? I’ve streamlined a version of it for you:
"Act as a private tutor. Ask me what I already know about the topic, how deep I want to go, and how much time I want to spend learning. Then create a personalized explanation plan and quiz me along the way to check understanding. Don’t move on until I confirm I’m ready."
Immediately, ChatGPT shifts from reactive assistant to proactive guide. It starts by asking smart, clarifying questions, then delivers layered responses that build on each other.
Whether I wanted a summary or a deep dive, it adjusted. It even offered practice questions and examples tailored to my interests.
More prompts I use to enhance learning
- "Explain this topic to me like I’m 12 — then like I’m a college student."
- "Give me a beginner, intermediate, and advanced breakdown of [topic]."
- "Quiz me on what I’ve learned so far. Use multiple choice."
- "What are common misunderstandings about this subject?"
- "How can I apply this knowledge in real life?"
I tried the viral prompt to take a deep dive into the history of 1960s rock n' roll and learned stuff my parents didn't even know.
The add-on prompts helped me deepen my retention, fill in gaps and stay engaged.
I have used them for everything from world history to animal facts. There is realy no limit to how helpful this prompt can be for continued education.
Why this prompt works
What makes this prompt so effective is that it aligns with the way people learn best: through interaction, scaffolding and feedback.
When ChatGPT asks what you already know, it avoids wasting time on the basics or skipping too far ahead. When it checks your understanding, it simulates the feedback loop of a live tutor. That back-and-forth is what turns passive reading into active learning.
It also adds accountability. You’re not just being told information that can be misread or overlooked, you’re being quizzed, nudged and guided to ensure you “get it.”
That makes it easier to stay focused and retain the material. Plus, when you tell ChatGPT how much time you want to spend, it shapes the experience into something manageable and realistic, which reduces overwhelm.
Final takeaway
If you’re serious about learning something new and want to dive deeper than just surface-level answers, this Reddit prompt is a game-changer.
It transforms the chatbot into a true learning coach, guiding you step-by-step with clarity, structure and interaction.
Add a few follow-up prompts, and you’ll wonder why you ever tried to learn from static Google results or explainer videos that couldn’t answer your specific questions. Try it and let me know in the comments what worked for you.
More from Tom's Guide
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