Mark Antony
Iron
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- Jul 9, 2026
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Method 1: Using Your Phone During a Test
First up, using your phone on the test.
The problem here is simple: if you’re desperate enough to pull out your phone during an exam, you probably know zero material and did zero studying. That means zero information retention.
School subjects—especially math, reading, and science—are progressive. You take what you learn today and carry it into the next class. If you miss a link in the chain, you can’t build on it, you fall behind, and it becomes a compounding nightmare cycle.
On top of that, phone cheating is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward strategy. If you don’t get caught, it’s basically a guaranteed A. If you do? An instant zero, a phone call home, and teacher gossip. Teachers love to talk, and word spreads fast. Now, in my school, most people who cheat on their phones get away with it—I’d say about 95% of the time.
The trap is that cheating becomes a habit. The more you do it, the more comfortable you get. Eventually, that 5% chance of getting caught is going to hit you, and it’s going to hit hard.
Because you learn nothing and run a massive risk, this is going straight into D Tier.
Method 2: Good Old-Fashioned Studying
Next, we have studying. Boring, I know. Nobody likes studying. It’s mentally draining, it takes forever, and after sitting in school for eight hours, studying instead of hopping on Halo sounds awful.
But studying actually matters. You already know the main benefits:
- You perform well on tests.
- You actually retain the information long-term.
Something underrated about studying, though, is the work ethic it builds. Studies show that students who build a consistent study routine are far more likely to be consistent in other areas of life later on.
However, studying isn't a silver bullet. It doesn't 100% guarantee an A. We’ve all had those painful moments where we studied for hours and still failed. It makes you feel like all that effort was for nothing.
Because of the time investment, the stress, and that non-zero chance of still flopping the test, studying lands in A Tier.
Method 3: Asking Classmates Who Already Took the Test
Next up: asking classmates who took the test earlier in the day.
Technically, yes, this is cheating—but it’s a much lighter shade of gray than pulling out a phone. I’m not talking about asking someone to give you every single answer. I mean asking broad questions like, "How hard was it?" or "What type of questions were on it?"
Honestly, this is going straight to S Tier.
Here’s why: you still have to study and do the actual work to get the right answers. You retain just as much information as the person who blindly studied, but you enter the exam with a huge tactical advantage. Your grade goes up, and your learning stays the same.
The only real downside is the risk of getting caught. Keep it low-key. Don't ask for intel in a huge group chat, and don't ask around people who snitch. Ask a close, trusted friend, and keep it on the down-low.
Method 4: Being the Teacher's Pet
Now we have being a teacher’s pet. Nobody likes them, but you can’t deny that the strategy works.
Teachers—especially in high school—can have massive egos. They want control over their classroom, but some take it to the point where they humiliate students just for forgetting a title.
I had a teacher who got his doctorate, and ever since, he’s been completely obsessive about people calling him "Doctor." Like, bro... how fragile is your ego that you’re crashing out over a 14-year-old making a mistake?
Authority figures who crave validation naturally tend to like students who are consistently respectful and engaged. That can sometimes translate into more flexibility, such as the benefit of the doubt on extensions or participation, though grading should ideally remain fair.
However, being a full-on teacher's pet is social suicide. You’ll probably get annoyed looks and may even get ostracized by your peers.
Because of those heavy social penalties, I’m putting this in C Tier. There needs to be a balance: be polite and respectful, but don't go out of your way to brown-nose—and never remind the teacher to collect the homework.
Method 5: Arousing / Manipulating the Teacher
This next one is extremely niche and pretty dark. It relies on an inappropriate dynamic between a student and a teacher. While there are occasional news stories about teachers engaging in misconduct with students, these situations are rare.
Any relationship or manipulation like this is unethical, unsafe, and can have serious legal and personal consequences. Even if someone imagined it could lead to better grades, the risks and harm far outweigh any perceived benefit.
The situation is deeply exploitative, can cause lasting emotional damage, and can permanently affect everyone's lives involved.
Because of the danger, exploitation, and sheer toxicity of this scenario, it belongs squarely in F Tier.
Method 6: Private Tutoring
Finally, we have private tutoring.
Look, if your parents don't have deep pockets, you might as well skip this section. This is basically the pay-to-win method used by wealthier families.
And there's a reason it works: it is ridiculously effective.
Studies consistently show that private tutoring can boost a student's grades far more than independent studying or standard classroom teaching alone. Granted, there's some correlation here—families paying for tutors often place a stronger emphasis on academics to begin with.
Either way, the impact is undeniable. A standard high school teacher has to split their attention among well over a hundred students every day. A private tutor spends an entire session focused on you, adapting directly to your learning style and weaknesses.
I’ve personally never had a private tutor, but the data suggests it can be highly effective.
